Mtech 1 Semester 1 Portfolio

Networks and Infrastructure

From immersion in Jeppestown to the capacity analysis of a base building, various themes have formed part of my architectural process and progress, thus far. Networks, beginning with Transient versus Temporary, exploring how people use open, green, public space in conscious and subconscious manners. This translated into Transient Infrastructure, Network Infrastructure (Hard and Soft) and Networks (existing systems). Furthermore, how Stitching Networks through architecture can create place for spaces that are successful for both individuals and higher level orders. Open Building Stitching, examines where Transient/Temporary capacities (relative to the base building) are stitched into an existing building. This theme then cycles around to the first theme, and illustrates how every project builds on its predecessors.

From contexts rooted in Johannesburg, to the hypothetical, each site has presented its own challenges and opportunities. A night in Jeppestown instilled the value of immersion within a context, while a desktop study of Denver highlighted the information that can be gained from a more objective point-of-view. Context, forms an integral part of architectural study – a notion which has been carried through from my first project. While every brief has requirements, every context equally presents its own requirements, which work in conjunction with the themes in the research phase of every project. A particular context of interest, to myself, is Fordsburg. This is due several reasons, most significantly of which is the fine grain nature of the urban fabric which is juxtaposed by the large block of the Oriental Plaza.

Working with every brief, set of themes and context, one develops a response to, and through, this research. Initially responses were more research/exploration based, where I would question ‘Why?’, specifically related around the idea of ‘Transience’ and the related subconscious actions. The next step was a hypothetical/speculative response to infrastructure, wherein the notion of ‘Transience’, evolved into ‘Transient Infrastructure’, still questioning in terms of themes and context, but more related to an infrastructure that integrates into existing networks and temporal systems. This evolution continued into a more holistic analysis and engagement with networks, in several forms.

In response to the context, these networks begin to reveal opportunities for architecture, which is rooted in existing functioning systems.

The progression of projects, and respective outcomes, have encouraged a progression in the process of architecture, rather than the object of architecture. This process was founded on the immersive mapping and understanding of Jeppestown, where I implemented a simple intervention to challenge the ‘subconscious transient users’ of a park. It continued through the proposal of innovative neighbourhood transient infrastructure, then through the stitching of fine grain and large, block grain urban fabric, with response to existing networks - principally a local network of curtain manufacturers.

My semester, and process of architecture, is currently constructed of everything done thus far, inclusion of what was good and the exclusion of what was not - and I believe this leads to a process where the whole is truly greater than the sum of the parts.

Denver Desk-Top Study Reflection

The process of a desktop study of Denver, Johannesburg has been insightful and research intensive from a third person perspective. While the process has proven to be useful, from this distanced perspective, it has also proven to be difficult to focus attention towards the levels of the built environment and the methods of negotiation that happen, as I feel that this requires a personal hands-on experience with the site and its inhabitants.

The lower levels of the environment, where there is individual or group agency, will require on-site experience, mapping and data gathering - and as such will be done at a later stage and cannot be reflected on.

Some of the assumptions made in this portion of the process, tackle the notions of Permanent vs. Temporary and Higher Level vs. Lower Level. This has been done through our analysis which resulted in hypothetical decisions from a Higher Level - specifically looking at what could be permanent and integral infrastructure, and what would be more beneficial on a larger scale to be removed - which will be taken to site to compare with the forthcoming Lower Level analysis and resulting Lower Level decisions.

There appears to be an unplanned organic growth to the site. With infrastructure, such as the storm water channel, defining growth, while the growth defines other infrastructure, such as roads/footpaths. This engages with the Open Building ideas of Interconnected vs. Independent, Control vs. Chance, and Planned vs. Unplanned.

There also seems to be a mix of shared and individual land use, both separated and converged on various parts of the site. This idea should inform the Higher Level zoning decisions, with the Higher Level decisions being able to enhance this specific character of the site, while making it more efficient. Open Building principles like Entangled vs. Disentangled and Long Life vs. Short Life should also play an integral role in these Higher Level decisions, as users will change throughout the life of the buildings or spaces.

 

The Future of Open Building Conference

ETH Zurich

Open Building integrates both stability and change, as realities within the built environment. Buildings, and their contexts, are dynamic - and through times of varying change need to be modified to remain appropriate and useful.

Designing and constructing Open Buildings involves many people, most specifically the end-user and the architect. This relationship provides the opportunity for appropriate architecture to be produced. No one person decides everything, and we usually celebrate that fact while struggling to deal with the complexity it brings. Since no one party makes all decisions when a building is first constructed, nor over the course of time as the building adjusts to new needs and technical requirements, there is an incredibly high importance of organising decision making and construction in such a way as to reduce excessive dependencies or entanglements among the parties involved. This helps in the avoidance of conflict between people and the parts of the whole they each control, and improves the chances of balancing common interests and the more individual interests of those who inhabit space.

There are three ‘orders’ in which agents are organised within the built environment: Form (Physical), Place (Territorial) and Understanding (Cultural). The order of Form is observed how we operate on different ‘levels’ of the built environment. This hierarchy may differ somewhat from time to time or place to place, however it always has the same characteristics. In The Order of Place we look at control of space, it brings to light territorial hierarchies different from those found in physical form and the interface between technical systems which allow for the replacement of one system with another. The Order of Understanding, comes about because those who intervene always do so, inevitably, in a context of meaning and social understanding.

My current dissertation is critically analysing the relationship between the architect and end-user in architecture, which is an integral part of Open Building, in the contemporary Johannesburg context. The research and analysis required for this dissertation will equip me with valuable information to engage the conference with.

The conference is a focal point of influential people on Open Building, with large volumes of information and discussion. This will be an exceptional opportunity for Unit 2 to benefit as a class. Therefore, the representative that attends the conference should be able to engage, understand and remember as much from the conference as possible. I believe that I will be, an excellent candidate to attend the conference and bring the information back to Unit 2.

Sensitivity

With the intended sensitivity to site, I conducted a 'Before and After' analysis of the site, in relation to my proposed intervention.

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