Capital exchange

This is especially true of the Voortrekker Monument, with some non-whites referring to it as "that apartheid monument", and others even calling for its demolition. This problem is not unique to the Voortrekker Monument, as was recently seen during a visit there on 16 December 2012 to celebrate the anniversary of the Pledge Day. The proposed design of the Capital Exchange aims to initiate social redress among a divided people, through the design of an urban-friendly and contemporary Platform and Place for Cross-Cultural Exchange, developed along the idea of the recently inaugurated Reconciliation Road.

The visualization of the place as a cross-cultural mediator makes use of the daily activities of the townspeople, to generate an ensemble of actions that promote social cohesion. The year of construction, 1898, was the 25th anniversary of the newspaper, and was commemorated with the publication of a stamp. Volksstem: The name of the Dutch newspaper and the building built for it in Pretoriusstraat.

Volkstem: The name of the Afrikaans version of the newspaper, and the Alley renamed in recognition of it. The investigated building that follows was built in 1898 to meet the needs of the newspaper company De Volksstem, est.

A place where events and people

Introduction

Project Background
Issues
Problem Statement
Project Intent

This creates a divide between the monument's ardent admirers [some of whom regard aspects of the design as deeply religious] and critics, [some of whom believe that its construction by the previous government makes it a relic of apartheid]. In the case of the previous example, museum pavilions are intended to serve the people of their localities, although their sometimes remote location means that their impact is limited. Soweto residents in the vicinity of the museum [many who were active in the anti-Apartheid uprising].

The museum also satirizes some of the adjacent properties that have potential for engagement or their own meaningful history. In the context of the overall problem, the above-mentioned sites were not intended to directly benefit the surrounding communities, nor were they intended as platforms for socio-cultural exchange. These factors allow different communities in and around Bloemfontein to make different claims of cultural ownership of the hill.

In both cases, the setting on a hill also creates an iconic impression for the viewer, which strengthens the impact of the object in the landscape. This informs the decision to locate an intervention within the reach of the daily user of Pretoria.

Figure 2.1a: Myths, Monuments, Museums. [Hall & Lillie, 1: 1992].

Context Analysis

Macro-Mapping
Site

Existing Buildings

Beyond this point, however, pedestrian walking speed increases as the attractions and distractions decrease. A focus on the proximal area of the square revealed different layers, with the built-up edges forming the square as the primary focus. The area highlighted on the old map next to it shows the location of the Compol Building, which houses the South African Police Service [SAPS] Museum [east] and the Volksstem Building, which houses the South African Police Transport Museum [west].

Urban Context – The placement of the buildings on the site, with the L-shaped offices along the street edges, and the workshop at the rear of the site maximizes the use of the site so that minimal border space remains empty. The condition of Pretorius Street is such that due to the nature of government and police buildings, much of the street frontage is impassable to the average city user. Politically, it was significant as the paper became the mouthpiece of the then ruling party that owned it for a short time.

The details of heritage status and historical and cultural significance are discussed later, in Chapter C. A number of trees on the sidewalks of the Volksstem building, as well as attacks on the adjacent Compol building.

Theory & Heritage

Theoretical & Heritage

Theoretical Approach
Heritage Significance

Freedom Park, at the other end of this road, is said to represent the various histories of the country. For this to happen successfully, no part of the scheme should favor one group of people over another. The need for autonomy is paramount where the influence of partisan factions must not influence decisions or scheme content.

The following is a summary of The Burra Charter (Australia ICOMOS Inc., 1999) as it applies to the project: The Charter identifies conservation as the process of preserving the cultural significance of any place. Designed in the Wilhelmine style with a neo-classical facade and a mansard roof [French four-sided gambrel/curb-style hip roof], the building's entrance facade with its use of architraves and a central pediment has a composition typical of many French buildings of the second Napoleonic era [Figure 8.1.1a]. The use of sandstone typical for ZAR buildings at the time was limited, partly replaced by red bricks.

These changes in no way harm the aesthetics of the building nor its visible architectural style. Due to its age, the building is classified under section 34 of the National Heritage Resources Agency (25 of 1999), because the building is older than 60 years. It is for this reason that in 1990 it was given National Monument Status, although this has since been changed by the amendment of the National Monuments Act to the National Heritage Resources Act [1999].

The statement of the main entrance on the corner of the building allows to make it expressive. This is achieved by cutting the corner down at an angle of 45° and increasing the height of the corner railing. Above this is an entablature bearing the building's name, with the frieze and cornice continuing the length of the building.

This allows a pedestrian to see the adjacent sidewalk and street condition, enhancing the experience of the street. It proposes the retention of the corner entrance and adjacent bays, as their presence gives it credibility by framing it. The repeated bays of the Pretorius street facade have remained intact since its inception, although the windows have been changed several times [Figure 8.1.2e].

Figure 8.1.1a: Château de Dampierre, c.1683, by Jules Hardouin-Mansart.

Volkstem Avenue

Pretorius Street

Normative Position

This can be done through skilfully combining existing elements with new forms that draw on the site's history and its intended users for inspiration.

Guerrilla Urbanism

Programme

Programme Informants

General Informants
Site Informants
Urban Informants
Programme Outline

Programme Definition

These are presented in the accompanying Table 2, with the highlighted functions representing those favorable to this project. Another issue that needs to be addressed is the single language medium of almost all local newspapers. The aim here is to make the printed information available in different languages [on request, so that unnecessary copies are not printed].

In order to maintain interest in the building, events will be current and will change according to public mood and current affairs. In addition, there is an opportunity to raise the height of the building vertically, as the surrounding CBD buildings are at least four stories high. The inner parts of the city, especially those that are empty, will receive new structures to form a building that deals with the issue of misrepresentation of existing monuments and museums, becoming a model for a modern cultural exhibition space.

This is important as an extension of the once bustling Kerkplein, which is now subdued. At a network level, the busy Pretorius Street with a bus service and the pedestrian-friendly Volkstem Avenue connecting the southern edge of the CBD with the center ensure accessibility for all. In addition, there is the possibility of continuing an alley from Bosmanstraat to the west to the courtyard of the site.

Developed as a result of the three primary categories, the system shows the interrelationship between the different levels as depicted in the legend. These are divided into defining categories that influence the project, as shown in the second layer's triangles [blue]. The evolution of the program over the course of the project since its inception as a new typology for contemporary South African museums to less formal building functions such as an amphitheater and a bazaar is shown in the diagram in Figure 12d.

After all, the building should curate different peoples, rather than buildings as it currently is.

Programme Definition

This development aligns with the overarching intention to design a place of meaning that is user-defined, rather than prescriptive in nature.

Primary Programme

Tri-factors

Components

Elements

Programme Resolution
Precedent Study

Design Precedents

Design Development
Design

Design Development
Founding Structure
Design Iteration

The theater represents that component of design that takes on the role of curator of peoples. The chart below is a summary of the development of the proposed program, based on the above information. The demands of the program and the response to the existing buildings call for an addition at the south end of the east block facing Volkstem Avenue.

The negative [-] space is the aspect of the farm that must remain intact from a heritage point of view. This was contrary to heritage guidelines for site development and consumed much of the original courtyard. The benefit of this is the release of more of the courtyard and sensitivity to the heritage buildings.

One of the earliest decisions in the design process was the inclusion of a basement that takes up the extent of the existing courtyard. 16c] shows the development of the basement, the final rendering of which will be specified in. Alongside the development of the existing and newly built forms, the development of the farm took place.

The elevated portion of the courtyard connects the Outdoor Lobby and the new western building with the northern mass. The planted areas of the courtyard serve to provide a green island amidst the surrounding buildings. This aims to preserve the idea of the young trees that were planted after the restoration of 2000.

The southern edge of this block is continued into the courtyard by means of the glass box extension highlighted in the Precedent Study. A sensitive approach was taken to the formation of the library, following the conceptual approach of using light to define elements. The gaps between the roof boxes and the extended tower come from the concept resolution of the building as a beacon.

The development of the new first floor follows the aforementioned concept and is of great importance here. This part of the design represents an important part of the scheme and should be developed as such.