Paradox Landscape

A void in networks, break in connections, closed-open space and unsafe terrain – an epicentre of paradoxes and opportunities. As topographically and topologically dynamic landscapes, landfills exist as a unique paradox of public space which is not easily accessible or visible to the public which created them.

The final resting place for most refuse/solid waste, landfills, have become underappreciated and often an overlooked form of public space. The contemporary perception of landfills, and refuse disposal, is that these landscapes should be concealed from public observation. This perception removes the link, and subsequent understanding, of where the waste that they create goes to ‘die’.

Architecture Manifesto 2015

1. Architecture is a process, not an object
If you know the end product before you start, what benefit is the intervention? It is simply constructed from your existing knowledge and experience.

2. Use principles, not manifestations of them
Ask yourself ‘why?’ There is no point refilling a bucket with water, when there is a hole in the bottom of the bucket.

3. Everything is connected
Every place has existing functioning systems, processes and networks. Any intervention must acknowledge and augment these.

4. If you’re not innovating, you’re stagnating
Architecture should improve what was there before, otherwise it makes no sense. There is always a better way.

5. The brief has requirements, so does the site
A brief presents an overt set of requirements. The site has intrinsic requirements, which need extraction and interpretation. Genius loci.

6. Listen and learn
“When you talk you are only repeating what you know; but when you listen, you may learn something new.” - Dalai Lama

7. Architecture should be complex, not complicated
Architecture can be seen as the integration of several entities and systems, every part should co-act. Chaos Theory.

8. Acknowledge context, nothing happens in isolation
A glass house in the desert, probably not the best idea.

9. Architecture evolves, adapts, and changes over time
Subject to time - people, circumstance and the built environment change and adapt. Design to promote and facilitate this change.

10. Open, green public space is cardinal space
People are intrinsically interwoven with nature. A healthy environment acknowledges and integrates this fact, providing space for people to be in nature.

11. Think urban
Architecture sits within an urban fabric, recognise that. Infrastructure should be in place at an urban scale.

12. Understand before you intervene
Respond to what the place/people need. Map, analyse, explore, research and immerse.

13. Architecture creates and takes advantage of opportunities
Opportunities exist everywhere. Engage with them.

14. Don’t accept what has been done without challenging it first
Hypothesise. Speculate.

15. Open Building principles make sense
Design with Levels and Orders of the built environment. Design for capacity and disentanglement.

Re-thinking Healthcare in Cities

Neighbourhoods, Public Space, Communities and Primary Care Service

Professor Phil Astley

The four day intensive workshop with Prof. Astley was centred around healthcare and well-being. However, the principles involved in this were extracted and reinterpreted into out current projects, under their respective topics. Many principles came out of this workshop, with the most relevant to my work being:

• Scenario Planning
• Structure with apparent Chaos
• Planning Networks
• Integration of existing networks and services
• Interim projects on site
• Using art for ownership
• Project definition
• User paths
• Stakeholders vs. Users
• Soft Processes
• Complexity Theory
• Reflexivity Theory
• De-centralisation
• Urban Agriculture

User Paths

Factors of Change

Factor Timeline

Information and Communications Technologies (ICT)

Pecha Kuch Presentation

 (turn pages from any corner/click and use arrow keys)

Nairobi Reflection

A week spent in Nairobi, Kenya highlighted several striking similarities and differences between Nairobi and Johannesburg, specifically in the informal sector.

The trip began with the drive from the airport, to our residence, where we had our first glimpse of housing in Nairobi, as well as evidence of President Barack Obama, of the United States of America, having had a recent visit.

...with the occasional tall building.

When compared with Johannesburg, Nairobi has a much more active pedestrian system. Pavements are much larger, cleaner, active, busy and landscaped.

Looking in informal settings, an inspiring ingenuity is evident. This is juxtaposed by the severe lack of sanitation and services in general.

Railway Housing

We then had the opportunity to visit the United Nations Habitat headquarters in Nairobi

Kibera is the largest informal settlement (slum) in Kenya. This slum has been the site for a few interventions, namely a community centre/clinic/hall/IT lab; and hi-rise residential re-blocking.

Presentation

Our presentation acknowledged the process done by the designers of the Railway Housing. However, the intention of the design, by the designers, is most often not how the users perceive the design. Our project takes the Railway Housing and tries to project how it will be perceived and adapted, over time, by the users, based on principles learnt from studying settlements in Nairobi.