Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master in Architecture, in the Master's Program in. Barry Biermann Architecture library staff at UKZN, with special thanks to Tim Reddy and Mukesh Kemrajh for all their help and time taken to help find information.
INTRODUCTION
- Definition of the Problem
- Aims and Objectives
- Setting out the Scope
- Definition of Terms
- Stating the Assumptions
- Key Questions
- Hypothesis
- Research Methods and Materials
- The study area and setting
- Research Methods and Materials
Context plays an important role in the creation of the built environment and certain design elements must be considered in order for the building to be a positive indicator of its surroundings, which will vary according to the character and surroundings of the community. This methodological approach used for the research concentrates on the collection of data and site investigations, which are used to create a clear understanding of the problem under investigation and the issues the subject derives.
CONCEPTS AND THEORIES
Globalisation
Critical regionalism
From this it appears that critical regionalism focuses on integration rather than separation, engagement rather than resistance by looking at the macro and micro scale and drawing on these ideas to create a building with a sense of "belonging". Critical regionalism argues that giving preference to either global architecture or the local vernacular tends to create a non-holistic approach to design.
Genius Loci …
Norberg-Schulz gives a special place in this conception of genius loci to natural conditions, distinguishing three basic characters of the landscape: romantic, cosmic and classical (Norberg-Schulz, 1985: 48). This study will try to understand the concept of genius loci as it is complex and multi-layered.
Introduction
The Phenomenon of Globalisation and its Impact on the Built
- Globalization as a Generator of Cultural and
- Globalization from a Postmodern Perspective
- Effects of Globalisation on architecture
- Globalisation and Technology
- Contrasting Globalisation and Regionalism
- Conclusion
The following will explain the scale: “The lower rungs of the scale are (1) Manipulation and (2) Therapy. If you want to include a comment. please do so in the space provided be4ow. .. s buildings anrakt tourists and general 1)\lblic to space.
The Make-Up of Context
- Context within the Realm of Architecture
- The Built Environment
- Identity and Culture
- Nature and Architecture
- Tracing Time through Architecture
- Conclusion
Architecture as a Contributor to its Setting
- Socio-economic sustainability in design
- Environmental Sustainability Inspired by Nature
- Community Involvement as an Upliftment tool
- Conclusion
Mc Guirk (2006) writes about the metaphors of buildings contradicting Jencks, "the more things it can look like, the better it is" (Mc Guirk, 2006: 2). Kuhn (1977) states: “the basic act of architecture is therefore to understand the 'calling' of a place. As in critical regionalism, the local contextual elements of Kanak culture were incorporated in a symbolic and not painterly approach: “the idea was that, instead of creating.
After South Africa's democracy in 1994 and its strong history of apartheid, as discussed in the previous chapter (3.2.1), the people of Durban have been motivated and longed for a united, integrated and interwoven society. 0 How would you rate the standard of safety, cleanliness and maintenance of the building and the surrounding spaces? 0 HowwouAd )'00 assess the standard of safety, goodness and maintenance of the building and the surrounding spaces.
If you want to 1include a comment. please do so •in the space provided below. II you will want to indude a coml'rleflt. please do so •at <> the pace given below. 0 Do you think the design of the building is related to its confusion of the sun.
Role of Imagery and Form
- Architectural Metaphors
- Iconic architecture and Tourism
- Character of Place
- The Modernist Technique of Defamiliarization and
- Conclusion
Conclusion to Literature Review
Introduction and Selection Criteria
Constitutional Court
- Setting of the Case Study
- Building Analysis
- Conclusion
From the review of the literature it is evident that the form, character and environment are closely related to the social, economic and political nature of the society and the time period in which the building was erected. The Constitutional Court located within Constitution Hill (Figure 24) can be seen as one of the regeneration initiatives in Braamfontein. Exhibition space Court foyer and chambers; because of importance and authority; it is placed at the top of the page creating a focal point within.
Second in rank is the library placed at the bottom of the sloping site. The overall mass of the design is symbolic of a courtyard concept, allowing the spaces to move from; public along the outside, semi-public inside the building and the private inside the courtyard. Official African languages jog the public's memory of the democratic attitude of the building (Figure 29).
This is re-emphasized in the lobby area with the words 'freedom, dignity and equality' thrown along the concrete representative of the building's function. The courthouse was built of brick from demolished blocks awaiting trial (Figure 30). The entire design of the Constitutional Court is location-specific and relates to the social needs, economy and cultural times of the new democratic society.
KZNSA – KwaZulu Natal Society of Arts
- Setting of the Case Study
- Building Analysis
- Conclusion
By analyzing the building from micro to macro, there are clear indications that the architects aimed to achieve a balance between the local and the global. The KZNSA's design made no attempt to create an African style or theme in its architecture. It is a design that responds to the climate, light, color, vegetation and scale of the environment.
Circulation within the design is clear and direct to the three components: cafe, curio shop, gallery space and the stair terrace. The terraced staircase is due to the sites containing sloping topography in which the architect followed a critical regionalist approach during the design process through a double volume gallery space with a. Due to the topography of the site, the gallery is within a double volume space, divided by a mezzanine level.
No matter how many times we visit the gallery, the feeling and atmosphere of the space is constantly changing due to the constant variety of exhibits. The curio shop allows the public to purchase affordable art in a non-gallery environment, as opposed to the adjacent formal gallery space, which invites a variety of visitors based on economics. The architects for the KZNIA gallery understood this factor by placing the building close to the southwest border and creating a green space between the gallery and the KZNIA.
Conclusion to Case Studies
65 | A site that creates a refuge from the harsh outdoor climate and noisy atmosphere of the Berea area. If the gallery could be extended into the cafe space and the terraced staircase, or perhaps if the wall separating the staircase from the main gallery was more penetrating, there could be a greater relationship between the spaces. This can allow the artwork to be more integrated into the building, while subtly exposing and enthralling the general public who simply come for refreshments.
The success of the building is that it avoids the usual attempts at popular regional styles that refer to specific cultural attitudes with the aim of creating a timeless architectural identity. Buildings and people go "hand in hand" as the success of a building is determined by its positive contribution to the public realm. This is seen in the design of both facilities as the Constitutional Court attracts a wide variety of tourists and public participation in understanding the country's history, while the KZNIA aims to uplift local communities by helping them with exposure and educational skills.
It focuses on engaging all forms and functions of the senses to create a more meaningful and deeper meaning in which the public can appreciate their surroundings. KZNIA aimed for a modern exterior form, which left the interior artwork to express Durban's local culture and identity, which does not function as well as the Constitutional Court. It aimed for global ideals for the public imagination in the Union Buildings and Parliament, yet incorporated highly contextually specific design approaches and elements that are responsive and valuable to society.
INTERPRETATION OF RESEARCH FINDINGS
68 | P a g e (chapter 4.2) provided an example of this, as the public was incorporated from the start of the project through an 'open design competition' which allowed the general public to enter freely. There should be an exploration for a conservative interpretation of design that recognizes the realisms of the current scene. It must draw its inspiration from the environmental and traditional lessons of the vernacular, which emphasize the necessity of a sustainable outlook for the future.
This is based on the conviction that, in the context of contemporary life, a sense of genius is irreplaceable in shaping the human environment. This is seen in the design of the EpiCenter where the client and the architect understood the needs of the public and created a building that is flexible, allowing different activities in accordance with the needs of the user. Designs with this in mind facilitate an effective, comfortable and satisfying outcome in all sectors of the community.
However, this must be done with strong background knowledge of the region, as misinterpretation can lead to negative implications such as displacement of local communities and loss of identity. They provide historical references and enable local residents to have a direct stake in the quality of the public environment, resulting in a space that generates social benefits, such as local identity and civic pride. Therefore, it is not only the use of appropriate resources, local construction techniques or the reconsideration of traditional methods for sustainable designs that must be preserved, it is the character of the people that must be revived to overcome the exploitation, manipulation and the cultural neo -colonialism which plays such a large role in today's Third World economy.
CONCLUSION
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