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CONTEXT AS an ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN GENERATOR: a Proposed Arts Centre in Durban, South Africa

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CONTEXT AS an ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN GENERATOR: a Proposed Arts Centre in Durban, South Africa CONTEXT AS AN ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN GENERATOR: A Proposed Arts Centre in Durban, South Africa By Laila Tickley Document for M Arch CONTEXT AS AN ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN GENERATOR: A Proposed Arts Centre in Durban, South Africa By Laila Tickley Supervisor Mr D. Mhlaba The School of Architecture, Planning and Housing University of KwaZulu-Natal Durban, South Africa August, 2011 DECLARATION Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Architecture, in the Master Programme in Architecture, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa. I declare that this dissertation is my own unaided work. All citations, references and borrowed ideas have been duly acknowledged. I confirm that an external editor was / was not used and that my Supervisor was informed of the identity and details of my editor. It is being submitted for the degree of Masters of Architecture in the Faculty of Humanities, Development and Social Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa. None of the present work has been submitted previously for any degree or examination in any other university. ____________________ Laila Tickley 30th August 2011 i | P a g e ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Firstly I would like to thank the Almighty for having provided me the opportunity to undertake my Master’s work I would like to express my gratitude towards the following people for their support towards my architectural education: Mr Dumisani Mhlaba for judiciously and professionally guiding me with this study to successful completion. As my supervisor, it is my pleasant duty to express my most sincere gratitude to him for providing direction of this work. Mr Philippe Yavo and Mr Majahamahle Nene Mthethwa for their guidance as year coordinators in the Masters of Architecture degree. Mr Isaac Levy for his continuous dedication and commitment to providing feedback and advice throughout this dissertation process. Mr Iqbal Naroth and the staff at Naroth Architects for their constant devotion and commitment in guiding and assisting me throughout my studies. Cazir Naroth for his support and guidance in my studies. The library staff of the Barry Biermann Architecture at UKZN, with particular gratitude to Tim Reddy and Mukesh Kemrajh for all their assistance and time taken in helping to find information. Their approachable and friendly nature provided a pleasant working environment. I wish to thank my mother Zarina Patel, father Asad Tickley, brothers Ebrahim and Ismaeel and family for their support throughout my life and during this study. I wish to thank my fiancé Faraaz Khan for his love and support in my life Special thanks to my fellow classmates with particular gratitude to Hafsa Kader, Nirupa Gopidayal, Rozana Paruk, Dieuwke Nightscales, Mithasha Mistrey and Vineet Luckoo for all their support and guidance whenever required. Thanks for your pleasant attitudes over the years which has provided a memorable part to my educational studies. ii | P a g e DEDICATION This work is dedicated to my mother Zarina Patel You have supported me in my determination to find and realise my potential. The courage you demonstrate in your life, in following your dreams, has been a true inspiration for me. You are an amazing role model. I love you mum. “Mom, you're a wonderful mother, so gentle, yet so strong. The many ways you show you care, Always make me feel I belong. You're patient when I'm foolish, You give guidance when I ask, Allah had you the master, of my every task. You are my source of comfort, My cushion when I fall. My help in times of trouble, My support whenever I fall. Through the teachings of the Prophet, You have my total respect. If I had my choice of mothers, You'd be the one I'd select” Fatin Athirah iii | P a g e ABSTRACT In modern times it has become common practice for architects to work freely around the globe, Japanese architects in Italy or Italians in China, as universal connections are made easier through modern means of transport. The aspects of identity and culture are important to designers which can be seen in many cities that have long and sustained pasts evident in their architectural traditions and commonly expressed within their historic centers. These are been lost as people are changing the way they perceive and envision their surroundings as globalisation is forcibly imposing global cultures upon local dogmas. As a result, architects often look at international precedent for influence when designing, importing ideas which often disregard local contextual factors in aspiring for global recognition. To understand if these new technological, iconic and trend driven buildings are socially, economically and environmentally appropriate, one must analyse how the respond to their surrounding contextual aspects within the region. iv | P a g e TABLE OF CONTENTS DECLARATION ………………………………………………………………………... i ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ………………………………………………………..……. ii DEDICATION ………………………………………………………………………….. iii ABSTRACT …………………………………………………………………….……… .. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS …………………………………………………………..……. v LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS ……………………………………………………………. viii CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background……………………………………………………... 1 1.2 Definition of the Problem ………..….……………….............. 1 1.3 Aims and Objectives.……….………………….……............... 2 1.4 Setting out the Scope 1.4.1 Delimitation of Research Problem …………….. 2 1.4.2 Definition of Terms ……………………………. 2 1.4.3 Stating the Assumptions ……………………….. 3 1.4.4 Key Questions…………………………..…..….. 4 1.4.5 Hypothesis …………..…………….…………… 4 1.5 Research Methods and Materials 1.5.1 Introduction…………….……..…………….….. 4 1.5.2 The study area and setting……………………… 4 1.5.3 Research Methods and Materials………………..4 CHAPTER 2 CONCEPTS AND THEORIES 2.1 Introduction………………………………….…………….…… 6 2.2 Globalisation ………..…………………………….…….……… 6 2.3 Critical regionalism.…… …..………………………..………… 6 2.4 Genius Loci …..……………………………………….………… 7 v | P a g e CHAPTER 3 LITERATURE REVIEW: 3.1 Introduction…………………………………..………………… 10 3.2 The Phenomenon of Globalisation and its Impact on the Built Environment 3.2.1 Introduction……………………………………………….10 3.2.2 Globalization as a Generator of Cultural and Economic Power……………………………………………….… 10 3.2.3 Globalization from a Postmodern Perspective………….. 12 3.2.4 Effects of Globalisation on architecture………………… 12 3.2.5 Globalisation and Technology ………………………...... 16 3.2.6 Contrasting Globalisation and Regionalism…………….. 17 3.2.7 Conclusion……………………….....…………………… 19 3.3 The Make-Up of Context 3.3.1 Introduction…………………...………………………… 21 3.3.2 Context within the Realm of Architecture………..….…... 21 3.3.3 The Built Environment ………………………..……..….. 22 3.3.4 Identity and Culture ……………………………….…..... 25 3.3.5 Nature and Architecture ………………….…………….. 28 3.3.6 Tracing Time through Architecture………………...….... 30 3.3.7 Conclusion…………...……………..…………………… 31 3.4 Architecture as a Contributor to its Setting 3.4.1 Introduction……………………...……………………… 32 3.4.2 Socio-economic sustainability in design ……………...... 32 3.4.3 Environmental Sustainability Inspired by Nature...…….. 36 3.4.4 Community Involvement as an Upliftment tool……..….. 38 3.4.5 Conclusion…………………...……..…………………… 40 3.5 Role of Imagery and Form 3.5.1 Introduction…………………...………………………… 41 3.5.2 Architectural Metaphors …………………………..…... 41 3.5.3 Iconic architecture and Tourism……………………..….. 44 3.5.4 Character of Place …………………………………...….. 46 3.5.5 The Modernist Technique of Defamiliarization and Critical Regionalism ………………………………………..…… 48 3.5.6 Conclusion……………………………………………… 51 3.6 Conclusion to Literature Review……………….……………… 51 vi | P a g e CHAPTER 4 CASE STUDIES 4.1 Introduction and Selection Criteria…………………………… 52 4.2 Constitutional Court 4.2.1 Introduction …………………………………………...… 52 4.2.2 Setting of the Case Study ……………….....……………. 53 4.2.3 Building Analysis ………………………………..……… 54 4.2.4 Conclusion…………………………………………….…. 59 4.3 KZNSA – KwaZulu Natal Society of Arts 4.3.1 Introduction …………………………………………...… 59 4.3.2 Setting of the Case Study ……………………………..… 60 4.3.3 Building Analysis ……………………………..………… 61 4.3.4 Conclusion……………………………………………….. 65 4.4 Conclusion to Case Studies…………………………………….. 65 CHAPTER 5 INTERPRETATION OF RESEARCH FINDINGS...…... 67 CHAPTER 6 CONCLUSION …………………………..……….………..…. 71 BIBLIOGRAPHY...……………………………………………………………………. 73 APPENDICES i. Analysis guidelines…………...…………………………………. 79 ii. Constitutional Court: Site Photographs……………………. 80 iii. Constitutional Court: Questionnaire……….………………. 83 iv. KZNSA: Site Photographs…………………………….……. 87 v. KZNSA: Questionnaire……………………………….……. 89 vii | P a g e LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS Figure 1: Mumbai, Moscow, Shanghai - ‘the Coca-Cola of Architecture.’ ................................ 13 Figure 2: The corporate office block ignoring India' summer heat ............................................. 15 Figure 3: Saynatsalo Town Hall. ................................................................................................ 18 Figure 4: Definition of the built environment and its four components ...................................... 23 Figure 5: Bank of San Jose by Bruno Stagno ............................................................................. 25 Figure 6: Beijing National Stadium ............................................................................................ 29 Figure 7: Sustainability diagrams ............................................................................................... 33 Figure 8: Epicenter located in South Boston .............................................................................. 34 Figure 9: Concept of the termite mounds
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