Reconfiguring built form within the landscape : towards interpretive facilities, iSimangaliso Wetland Park.
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Date
2012
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Abstract
The purpose of this research document is to inform the author about the manners in which built
form can be reconfigured within landscapes. As such the focus is twofold: Firstly, the concept of
landscape must be explored and defined and secondly, theoretical approaches to the
reconfiguration of built form within the landscape must be determined. Through research it is
found that landscape is not, as is popular belief, merely a natural phenomenon, but consists of a
visual and imagined component. The visual component in turn, consists of the natural and the
cultural landscape. An argument is made that the predominate contemporary paradigm should
determine the manner in which the built form is designed. As such, the theme of complement
(between built form and landscape) is derived as an interpretation of the current global
awareness of environmental issues. The imagined landscape is found to relate to the cultural landscape in the sense of both being
influenced by it and influencing it. From the contemporary, global mindset of environmental
sensitivity, the concept of complement is derived. Complement refers to the idea of mutual
symbiosis of two parties, i.e. both parties benefit from their relation. As such, the theory of
synchronized geometry and progressive tradition is investigated in terms of the natural and
cultural landscape respectively. The intention and potential application of the theories is tested
by discussion in relation to certain precedents and cases of built form (such as the
Mapungubwe Interpretation Centre) and landscape (the landscape of iSimangaliso Wetland
Park).
Description
Thesis (M.Arch.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2012.
Keywords
Sustainable architecture--KwaZulu-Natal--iSimangaliso Wetland Park., Landscapes--KwaZulu-Natal--iSimangaliso Wetland Park., Theses--Architecture.