architecture and design matters in south africa
Showing posts with label za_development. Show all posts
Showing posts with label za_development. Show all posts
Rhino Burn
A friend from the most excellent Uthando South Africa sent me some pics of the Rhino burnt at Afrika Burn 2012. The project was conceived in cardboard model form, filmed on a mobile phone, sketched up, modeled in Revit and then sent for CNC wood routing. All before being taken up to the Tankwa Karoo for exhibition and, well, burning. The rhino consists of body parts whose separated forms only come together when seen through the crosshairs. A potent symbol for some of South Africa's problems, eloquently described in a cross-over between sculpture, drama and architecture. Conceived by Andre Carl and made possible by Anton de Kock and K/M2K
Assimilation
Dillon Marsh present a photographic tour of some of the world's best avian architecture. Sociable Weavers use the man-made landscape as sites for their constructions as effortlessly and efficiently as our best architects use the natural world. Take a look here.
FynBloem
We are proud to present this innovative project unexpectedly blooming amid global doom and gloom, depression in the construction sector and an epidemic of cynicism in Riversonderend. FynBloem is a first of its kind protea packing facility whose strikingly successful marriage of form, business model and sustainable construction will enable the environmentally friendly export of our national flower from some of our most innovative architecture. Kube Architects have followed a brief determined by the requirements of Marks & Spencers "Plan A" trading initiative which is aimed at addressing climate change, reducing wastage, using raw materials and trading ethically.The number of innovations used is truly impressive and is well worth reading on Kube's blog.
Probably the most impressive innovation, and one that deserves mention here as well, is the use of ammonia as the refrigerant. As the chief power demand for the plant the refrigeration cycle required a cutting edge approach. GEA Refrigerant Solutions (whose project solutions arm provide the project management service for the initiative) developed a solution that uses anhydrous ammonia as the refrigerant. Not only is this an ozone friendly, natural gas it also significantly reduces electricity consumption. Based on the electrical engineers calculations, the ammonia systems uses 1590kwh less per day due to ammonia’s better c.o.p (coefficient of performance – refrigeration produced from electrical power used) This is the equivalent of 1,5 tons CO2 saved per day! The project also features a reed bed filtration system designed by Jeffares and Green, the environmental consultants on the job.
We hope this project will inspire more corporates to explore the highly the great potential that lies on the axis between the necessary beneficiation of this country's natural resources and the innovation and creativity of her architects and designers. We also look forward to seeing the building complete with interiors designed by Lu'Nique.
South West Perspective
Project Name: FynBloem Protea Packing Facility
Location: Riviersonderend, Southern Cape, South Africa
Architects: Kube Architects
Civil and Structural Engineers: Sutherland
Refrigerant Engineering and installation: GEA Project Solutions
Project Management: GEA Refrigerant Solutions
Environmental Survey: Jeffares and Green
Reed-bed design: Jeffares and Green
Interior Design: Lu'Nique
Quantity Surveyors: Talani Quantity Surveyors
Project Year: 2011-
Images: Kube Architecture
Text: za_architecture
The Gautrain hits the rails
The Gautrain is a first of its kind in South Africa. The architectural solution gives clues to the state of the discipline in the country. A set of consistent design principles were defined for the 13 stations and within these the architects and designers set to fulfil the brief with a small degree of creative liberty. The results are not the most exciting spaces – this is certainly no Jubilee Line Extension – but, if somewhat “international” in style, nonetheless the stations speak quietly to the SA setting and are wonderfully polished and accomplished. The key “design” principle adhered to is the use the acacia tree as an umbrella theme to provide the form of shelter and shade whilst referring to their rural function as nodes on routes and hubs of activity and biodiversity. Throughout the stations "tree" structures – columns, structural members, escalators - represent the tree's trunk and branches and "wave" structures – entrance canopies, roofs etc -represent the umbrella of its canopy. Along the railway trusses supporting the lines are informed by the design of “Asante” stools – which are said to be the seats of the sitter’s soul. Each station is also imbued with a subtle locality-based theme - take a look at the Gautrain website for more.
//hapo - The Freedom Park Legacy Project
From a distance, against the dusty koppies and dusky jacarandason the outskirts of Pretoria’s civic centre museum one could be forgiven for thinking that “//hapo”, the new addition to the Freedom Legacy Park, is indeed a translation of the Khoisan for a “dream.” The copper clad blocks are designed to evoke the ancient boulders that dot the hillsides and are laid out in an organic cluster that process elegantly across the landscape.
From a closer viewpoint the buildings which house the Freedom Park Museum, the Pan-African Archive, a centre for knowledge and a garden of remembrance are tightly conceived both spatially and symbolically.
Spatially the series of abstracted boulders rise out of a gently landscaped plaza, breach, break, curve and fold into deep, dim fissures. These complex irregularities mimic an ancient landscape and in so doing provide a variety of exhibition spaces delineated by differences of lights and volume.
MODEL SHOTS
ELEVATIONS
PLANS
SECTIONS
Symbolically the copper cladding alludes to the abundant material traded and worked throughout Southern Africa for millennia whilst facilitating the complex surfacing that will, with time, develop a transformative and earthbound patina. The boulder-blocks themselves speak of mountainous shelters of Khoisan healers and pay homage to the rocky Highveld landscape.
The project was designed by GAPP Architects and Urban Designers, Mashabane Rose Associates and MMA Architects, working under the umbrella of The Office for Collaborative Design and would seem to live up to the rare standard already set by some of those practices at the Apartheid Museum.
Project Name : //Hapo Freedom Park Legacy Project
Location: Pretoria, South Africa
Architects: GAPP Architects and Urban Designers, Mashabane Rose Associates and MMA Architects, working The Office for Collaborative Design
Project Area: -
Project Year: 2010
Text: za_architecture
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