Masters Degrees (Architecture)

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10413/6671

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Empowering youth ‘Placeless-ness’ in coloured communities through architecture: towards an integrated cultural youth centre in Greenwood Park, Durban.
(2021) Hartley, Carl Lochlan.; Bodei,, Silvia.
“Placeless-ness” amongst youth is the wondering of youth in spaces often unclaimed or unoccupied. Its presence represents the existence of spatial inequality or exclusionary spatial characteristics in Coloured communities. A non-inclusive urban formation has pushed the youth to the periphery, often feeling unwelcome and lost in their homes and civic spaces. This exclusion has forced the youth to create self-determined spaces on the fringes of their community. As a result, the presence of placeless youth is often associated with a sense of social decay defined by the worst traits linked with the Coloured community, including drug and liquor abuse and gang-related behaviour. The primary purpose of the research is to explore the ability of a building to reflect the concerns and aspirations of the youth while creating a constitutive link between placeless-ness, the youth and architecture. The idea is to create a built environment that can engage youth through the theories of culture and empowerment and the concepts of mentorship and co-production. The research is approached from a qualitative perspective. All relevant literature is critically engaged to determine plausible solutions to youth placeless-ness. Precedents are reviewed in an attempt to find real-world solutions, their application and implementation, along with society’s response to an architectural intervention. The case study is of the site, an area with very little public documentation. Through the process of observations and interviews, an indepth understanding of the Greenwood Park community was formulated. The research attempts to demonstrate the lack of autonomy and space the youth are given within their community. The youth’s choice to find space on the street results from current city planning methods, which have created streets unfit for human consumption. Ironically, the street's unclaimed nature makes it the most democratic and equitable space available within the city. The street becomes a point of youth empowerment and reclamation. It possesses the opportunity for the creation of a healthy psychosocial space. A call for a youth cultural centre within the Coloured community of Greenwood Park, which acts as an extension to the streets, is required. The centre will be a part of a broader satellite intervention that aims to be strategically placed throughout the community creating points of value for the youth at their point of reclamation; the streets.
Sports architecture as a catalyst for social revitalisation: towards a multipurpose sports facility for KwaDukuza.
(2022) Ranjit, Tashiel Dawlall.; Solis-Arias, Juan.
The purpose of this dissertation is to determine the impact of lack of social revitalisation as a problem to the urban context. This dissertation will therefore investigate the significance of sport in society and the built form, and how it can affect the relationship between people and space by its overall social, economic, and architectural responses to the urban context. The aim of this research topic is to understand how ’sports architecture can be a catalyst for Social Revitalisation in the urban context of KwaDukuza how to revitalise it via a catalytic tool of sport in the aid of an architectural response in the built form. The objectives of this research will suggest outcomes of how an architectural response such as a Multipurpose Sporting Facility will address issues centred on community of KwaDukuza to catalyse urban revitalisation. These responses to the social, urban, and architectural aspects of social revitalization will be harnessed by a thorough investigative study of theories, concepts, literature, precedent studies and relevant fieldwork in the form of questionnaires and interviews that will enforce the ideal approach and design guidelines towards Multipurpose Sports Facility. It was found that sport does have a positive role in Social Revitalisation. The research showed that not only does sport unite people and break down social barriers, but the built environment in which sport takes place can greatly affect how successful the integration is.
A sustainable architectural approach towards energy: through a renewable energy research facility on the Durban harbour.
(2022) Ramklass, Ashmika.; Sithole, Sibusiso.
With population increase placing a strain on natural resources, so comes the energy demand. Energy is a necessity however; the energy demand has resulted in a rapid depletion of non-renewable resources. This increase in energy consumption is seen within the industrial sector of South Africa. The lack of social consciousness and research on sustainable energy development has contributed to the biophysical and socio-economic challenges within the industrial sector of South Africa, namely the Durban Harbour. This dissertation will analyse the biophysical and socio-economic challenges that have resulted in the development of energy within the Durban Harbour and how sustainable development has contributed to the city’s green economic growth. The theoretical and conceptual framework of sustainability, hedonistic sustainability and hybridity, will aid the proposal in establishing a balance between renewable energy development and sustainable architecture within the Durban Harbour. A sustainable architectural model will be explored as a renewable energy research facility, that will be used as a tool to establish a social link through education and research, to create an interdependency on hybrid sustainable energy development, and mitigate biophysical and socio-economic challenges.
An exploration of social interaction through the built environment: towards a recreational center in KwaDukuza.
(2022) Naidoo, Preben.; Ogunsanya, Lawrence Babatunde.
This abstract looks at social interaction when referring to the constructed environment, particularly emphasising a recreation facility in KwaDukuza. The study aims to investigate how social dynamics and community involvement affect built environment design. Inclusion and diversity will be emphasized in the design of the recreation facility, which will provide a range of recreational opportunities and amenities to accommodate a range of age groups, interests, and abilities. The design and layout will be carefully considered to promote chance encounters, teamwork, and visitor socialization. A qualitative method approach was used to conduct an exhaustive review of relevant information, enabling a thorough comprehension of the topic. Qualitative interviews were held to learn more about a smaller group of participants' experiences and viewpoints. The study and triangulation of the results from the data provided an in-depth and complete grasp of the research issue. This method ensured a detailed and comprehensive analysis of the exploration issues by permitting an in-depth exploration of social interaction in the built environment. It will become clear from the study's findings that the recreational center is crucial for promoting social cohesiveness and neighbourhood ties. It can be a focal point for various social events, such as sporting events, cultural gatherings, and educational courses. The centre aims to give locals a venue for meaningful interaction, connection, and relationship-building, ultimately enhancing the KwaDukuza community's social fabric. The center's effectiveness as a gathering place will also be aided by its advantageous location, accessible infrastructure, and eco-friendly features. Green areas, seating areas, and gathering places were incorporated to promote social interaction and community among the visitors. Overall, studying social interaction in KwaDukuza's built environment will emphasize the value of well-designed recreation areas as engines for civic participation and cohesiveness. Future urban planning projects will be informed by the study's findings, which highlight the importance of including social interaction components in the design of public places to build stronger communities.
An architectural response to informality: a proposed mixed-use community hub in Komani Informal Settlement, Eastern Cape.
(2024) Kwaza, Simphiwe Ntandazo.; Govender, Viloshin.
Global urbanisation is accelerating as most people move from rural villages, farms, and the countryside to urban metropolises. This is the way that things are done in South Africa. Previously, colonialism and apartheid left behind a legacy of injustices and inequalities, and a sizable portion of the South African population is still disenfranchised or impoverished today. Many citizens reside in abandoned buildings on the outskirts of the major business centre, areas of persistent poverty, and extremely dangerous settings. This study is being conducted in Komani, an Eastern Cape town that is close to the Stormberg mountains. About 25% of its population lives in informal settlements. Officials have been forced to alter their plans for informal settlements and work toward integrating them into the fabric of South African cities due to the fact that these communities have turned into insurgents and are fighting for their "right to be part of the central business district area" and a better quality of life. In this situation, it is vital that architecture reconsiders how it may address the problems that informal settlement groups experience in order to reimagine the social imperatives of modernist architecture in these rebellious places. This study investigates how place theory, informality, culture, and empowerment of informal settlement groups might influence architecture to provide more adaptable and successful interventions that deal with the problems these communities face. Understanding the conditions of urban informality, the way of life and daily struggles of the occupants of informal settlements, and strategies for resolving the issues these communities face through a combination of formal and informal processes are made possible by a variety of literary works, theories, precedents, and case studies. Theories like empowerment, informality, culture and place-making may provide light on what it is like to live in an informal community daily. The objective of this study's architectural approach will be the conceptualisation of a planned mixed-use community hub in the Eastern Cape's Komani Informal Settlement. The goal of this thesis is to improve the community's quality of life by addressing its daily demands and problems.
The influence of biophilic architecture on early childhood development: towards a children’s development facility in eThekwini, South Africa.
(2023) Khan, Vaishali Zainub.; Cloete, Magdalena Catharina.
The education system in South Africa requires improvement due to the learners' dropping out of school mainly because of their poor literacy and numeracy skills. The nation's inadequate access to early childhood education initiatives is a key factor contributing to the challenges confronting the system. There is increasing evidence showing that biophilia can positively influence the growth and development of young children. It has been shown that kids who are nurtured by nature are more likely to have a good start in life. The objective of this study is to create a framework that will help design a child-friendly environment, which can promote their growth and evolution. Based on a review of the literature on early childhood developmental and biophilic architectural concepts and theories, the case study was conducted qualitatively. Interviews and observations were conducted to understand the various factors that affect the development of children. The study revealed that nature plays a significant role in shaping the development and evolution of children, and it was concluded that designing an environment that is conducive to their growth is crucial.
An exploration of water security through architecture: towards a learning centre in Durban.
(2022) Naicker, Kreolin Lyle.; Solis-Arias, Juan.
South Africa faces a challenge in ensuring clean water for its people as a consequence of exploiting its water resources (Donnenfeld, et al., 2018). Furthermore, a recent study conducted expressed the gap in public awareness and knowledge of water harvesting and recycling in South Africa (Slabbert & Green, 2020). The research aims to investigate water security, the conservation and control of water, through architecture to ensure a sustainable water supply for Durban whilst creating awareness and education on the importance of water. The research explores the relationship between water security and architecture to develop the principles of a learning centre. An interpretivism research philosophy was used through qualitative data collection to gain insight into the themes surrounding the topic using both primary and secondary sources.
Exploration of traditional judicial systems through the built form: a proposed traditional judicial facility in Msinga, KwaZulu-Natal.
(2023) Dlamini, Sibonelo Nkululeko Blessing.; Sithole, Sibusiso.
The roles and functions of the traditional judicial court's system can be traced back to the precolonial era and up to the period of the current democratic dispensation, this system has been going through a continuous transformation in bridging the gaps restricting the system from being a more effective form of the justice system. A specific provision has been made in the Constitution that mandates Traditional Courts to provide a uniform legislative framework for the structure and functioning of this judicial system, in line with constitutional imperatives and values, and to provide for matters connected therewith. This study explores the traditional judicial system through the built form, with the objectives of understanding the impact which the built form plays in the execution of the Traditional Judicial Court system and conceptualising the envisioned traditional court bill or framework into an effective built form that caters to contemporary needs of the society it serves. Some of the key theories and concepts which will be utilised as an investigatory tool to achieve this are Critical Regionalism, Space Syntax, Phenomenology, and Symbolism with a mixedmethod research approach of primary and secondary data analysis.
An architectural response to holistic healing principles: towards a natural healing retreat in KwaDukuza, KwaZulu-Natal.
(2023) Ramjiawan, Nirdosh Hemraj.; Solis-Arias, Juan Ignacio.
Cancer patients often face stress and anxiety due to the uncertainty of their treatment and the severity of their illness. The built-form environment can have a positive impact on their physiological well-being and their natural healing process, but many modern healthcare facilities are designed mainly for functionality and efficiency, neglecting the empathy and care that patients need. The experience of place and patient emotion is frequently ignored, resulting in healthcare environments that are sterile and homogenous. This thesis inquiry explores the architectural problem of designing oncology treatment facilities that incorporate the principles of holistic healing and stimulate natural healing for cancer patients. The research explores how the built-form environment can influence not only the physiological well-being, but also the emotional and psychological comfort of cancer patients and investigates patient-centred holistic healing environments that are stimulating and supportive. The research methodology is qualitative from an interpretivist approach, focusing on the experiences and interpretations of participants. Data collection was done through observation, semi-structured interviews, precedent analysis, and a critical review of published literature. The research highlights the need for healing environments that prioritize patients' holistic health and additionally their stress and anxiety reduction. Design principles are derived from topical inquiry and architectural investigation, considering the patient-centred experience and psychological well-being of oncology patients. The analysis of these findings develops strategies for improving the patient experience and supporting their emotional and mental well-being in healthcare settings.
An exploration of social interaction through the built environment environment: towards a recreational center in KwaDukuza.
(2022) Naidoo, Preben.; Ogunsanya, Lawrence Babatunde.
This abstract looks at social interaction when referring to the constructed environment, particularly emphasising a recreation facility in KwaDukuza. The study aims to investigate how social dynamics and community involvement affect built environment design. Inclusion and diversity will be emphasized in the design of the recreation facility, which will provide a range of recreational opportunities and amenities to accommodate a range of age groups, interests, and abilities. The design and layout will be carefully considered to promote chance encounters, teamwork, and visitor socialization. A qualitative method approach was used to conduct an exhaustive review of relevant information, enabling a thorough comprehension of the topic. Qualitative interviews were held to learn more about a smaller group of participants' experiences and viewpoints. The study and triangulation of the results from the data provided an in-depth and complete grasp of the research issue. This method ensured a detailed and comprehensive analysis of the exploration issues by permitting an in-depth exploration of social interaction in the built environment. It will become clear from the study's findings that the recreational center is crucial for promoting social cohesiveness and neighbourhood ties. It can be a focal point for various social events, such as sporting events, cultural gatherings, and educational courses. The centre aims to give locals a venue for meaningful interaction, connection, and relationshipbuilding, ultimately enhancing the KwaDukuza community's social fabric. The center's effectiveness as a gathering place will also be aided by its advantageous location, accessible infrastructure, and eco-friendly features. Green areas, seating areas, and gathering places were incorporated to promote social interaction and community among the visitors. Overall, studying social interaction in KwaDukuza's built environment will emphasize the value of well-designed recreation areas as engines for civic participation and cohesiveness. Future urban planning projects will be informed by the study's findings, which highlight the importance of including social interaction components in the design of public places to build stronger communities.
Environmental microcosm: the influence of recycling on community architecture. A learning centre for waste management in the Bisasar Landfill, Durban.
(2023) Mdluli , Siphesihle Jonas Sphephelo; Solis-Arias, Juan Ignacio
Abstract available in PDF.
Exploring the impact of afrocentric gender politics on the design of a court building in the city of Durban, South Africa.
(2023) Mnguni , Senamile Bongeka.; Ogunsanya, Lawrence Babatunde.
Abstract available in PDF.
An architectural response to homelessness: a proposed transitional shelter in Orange Grove, Johannesburg.
(2022) Chetty , Lawrence; Govender, Viloshin
Abstract available in PDF.
An exploration of childhood attention deficit hyperactivity disorder through architecture: towards an inclusive education facility in greater Durban.
(2023) Calvert , Gareth Michael; Cloete , Magdalena Catharina
Abstract available in PDF.
Exploring early development with children diagnosed with autism and its impact on the built form: a proposed centre for children with an autism spectrum disorder in Ethekwini, South Africa.
(2023) Bosiger , Ross Aubrey.; Cloete, Magdalena Catharina.
Abstract available in PDF.
Architecture as a response to informal trade in urban environments. Towards a new SMME business hub in the Point precinct, Durban, CBD.
(2023) Biggar, Aaron Michael.; Govender, Viloshin.
This study is meant to empower and create a sustainable life for Small, Micro, and Medium Enterprises (SMME’s), as at present there is a cultural discrepancy in the globalisation movement in the development of all cities. Corporations need to play an enabling role to create a new model of black enterprises. However, one of the biggest problems in South African cities is globalisation and apartheid city planning. This did not only structure but also relocated people to the outer parts of the cities, which made cities non-diverse, semi-functional zones and lacked major support for SMME”s. (Eatough, 2015; Rogerson, 2000 p, 673-695 ) “The reconstruction initiatives of the post-apartheid South Africa, promoting and supporting the development of small, medium and micro-enterprises sector, including the informal economy, have been of major policy significance.” (Rogerson, 2000, p, 673-695) Architecture could assist SMME’s by making a more responsive space servicing the needs of the users. The argument is for a more sustained reform of the city to examine its cultural expression as an engine for empowering multi-diverse and small businesses. The Point Development is one of the key catalysts to redeveloping the entire inner city. The point development however has resulted in gentrification and the loss of small informal businesses within the point developments. (Lumby, 1991, p.121-133) Durban is a multiplicity of cultures and architectural styles, but the city can be challenged to create more spaces for opportunity, inclusivity, and diversity. The goal is to promote and empower SMME’s in communities to use lost space, which will integrate, connect and diversify technology and culture by creating an economically empowered city with the use of Architecture and at the same time stitching the Point to the rest of the city.
Exploring visual impairment through the built environment.
(2023) Mancotywa, Mbuso.; Cloete, Magdalena Catharina.
Visual impairment can present itself as a tough challenge in a human's life, and navigating the built environment independently is often one of the biggest obstacles to be approached. Not being able to perceive the environment around one and having an absence of a strong relationship or bond to the spaces one encounters leads to visually impaired people feeling lost in space. These issues get exacerbated by the gross insufficiencies of the built environment in its response to being inclusive for the visually impaired. This is often caused by the modern architectural approach, which did not factor in significant consideration for the other senses within their designs and favoured an ocular-centric approach that gave much preference to the sense of sight in architecture. As a result of the isolation in space, visually impaired people end up being excluded from the built environment and even other activities that may take place within buildings due to the lack of inclusivity within many different architectural typologies. This dissertation will explore how the built environment can respond more to visual impairment. The framework of the research will be formulated through the literature covering the theories of Phenomenology, Place theory, Universal Design and Multi-sensory design. These theories will more profoundly explore the human senses' role in the perception of the built environment. Understanding how architecture can respond will assist in making the built environment more inclusive for the visually impaired and strengthen the relationship of the senses to space to make architectural design more meaningful.
Adaptive reuse in context: towards sustainable mixed - use housing in Durban.
(2011) Dobrev, Dimitar Vladimirov.; Luckan, Yashaen.
In this dissertation the process of adaptive reuse – the recycling or rehabilitation of buildings – is analysed in terms of the tenets of sustainability and place theories as construed in the field of architecture, as well as within the context of architectural and urban theory and history. The dissertation demonstrates how different approaches to adaptive reuse result in a sustainable architecture that is responsive to its context. Adaptive reuse is the historically normal practice of recycling buildings. Initially, the research focused on the relationship between old and new buildings; how is the new synthesised with the old, and what are the values of this relationship? It soon became evident that by today’s definition of sustainability in architecture, the practice of recycling buildings, and indeed the partial modification of buildings, came very close to fulfilling the ‘ideologies’ of sustainability. This research paper reconciles the history and practice of adaptive reuse, with the currently popular theories of sustainability and Place Theory. The pursuit of sustainability (Chapter One), in terms of architecture and building, results in part from the forces of rapid urbanisation, impending and/or perceived food, water and resource shortages, and the linear metabolism of the modernist built environment. A detailed review of related concepts and theories in Chapter Two, aim at giving the reader a better understanding of the context of adaptive reuse in this paper. The author has used the concepts and theories as tools for research (in Part I - Dissertation) and analysis (in Part II - Design). Chapter Three looks at three approaches to adaptive reuse – conservation, preservation and demolition – and relates them to the tenets of sustainability, as well as the concepts and theories laid out in Chapter One and Two. Specifically, each approach to adaptive reuse is contextualised in terms of the economic, environmental and social agendas of sustainability, which include both quantitative and qualitative aspects such as eco-efficiency and Place theory respectively. Chapter Four is a case study of the Bartel Arts Trust (BAT) Centre, Durban, South Africa. The study provides the historic, cultural and climatic settings, or contexts, of the conservation project, and relates these contexts to the architect’s approach to adaptive reuse. A carefully designed questionnaire has been used to identify those qualitative aspects which are otherwise unattainable through interview, review or perceptual observation. The case study also integrates the concepts and theories which underpin the topic, thereby contextualising the study in terms of this paper.
The influence of youth rural-urban migration on architecture and urbanism: towards an employment indigenous skill centre in Durban.
(2022) Sithole, Thulisile Nomthandazo.; Cloete, Magdalena Catharina.
Rural-urban migration has a huge impact on urbanization, population distribution and settlement. Young adults migrate in search of better opportunities in education and employment (Muhwava W. et al, 2010). People perceive cities to have better living and working conditions. These migrants generally do not possess the skills or the education to enable them to find and secure employment in the formal sector, and they must settle for work in the informal sector which is mainly informal trading (Timalsima, 2007:1). This largely impacts on the urban fabric and the architecture provided in the cities to service the needs for the population. Rural urban migration also contributes to a lot of social issues that affect the city’s population. Rural-urban migration is attributed to the idea that urban areas have better economic conditions and opportunities. This is the pulling factor that attracts rural people into the cities. Political and social factors and conditions also play a big role in drawing people into cities. This causes a big shift in architecture and the provision of services in big cities, causing housing backlogs etc. This study aims to explore the influence of rural-urban migration on architecture and urbanism as means for creating a skill’s centre for the youth of Durban. The study investigates the role of culture and identity in restoring and preserving local identity through the built environment, as well as providing opportunities for sustainable economic development for rural-urban migrants. The need to develop local cultural identities in order to build environments and ensure that these are expressed in a progressive and dynamic manner in order to express culture as a dynamic evolving organ rather than a static dogma, ensuring versatility and significance to future generations. It will also highlight the importance of heritage and cultural preservation through built form. Culture is reflected through history and forms part of buildings, artefacts that form part of the traditional built environment which is how rural urban migrants read urban spaces (Mensah O, 2012:18). Cultural identity plays an important role in the preservation of indigenous knowledge skills, knowledge systems and their conservation (Hoppers, 2002). The research investigates how culture, tradition, and built environments can be integrated to create a meaningful environment that is an epitome of and responds to people's needs. The study will be conducted in Durban one of South Africa’s major port city that is home to the largest industrial hub after Gauteng. Durban is in the province of KwaZulu-Natal. The study will focus on the area of Stamford Hill (co-ordinates -29.0846906, +31.031977). It is in an urban setting. The area is affected with high concentrations of informal settlements and lacks integration in the overall Durban economy. The area is affected by issues of low levels of literacy and skills development and a lot of unsuitable development practices. Durban is deeply divided in terms of social inequality with almost 70 % of its population residing on the periphery of the CBD in peri urban areas. In Durban, peri-urban areas can be identified along the threshold between the CBD and the immediate surrounding suburbs and rural areas outside the urban development line. Indigenous knowledge and the integration of knowledge systems, the promotion and conservation of these systems is important (Hoppers,2002:1). To empower and develop people, these systems help in finding human a human-cantered vision of development and preservation of basic human rights and the alleviation of poverty (Hoppers,2002:3). Sustainable human development that is built on these systems that exist in communities helps promote societies and development that benefits generations (Hoppers, 2002:3). The loss of these cultural reference points sometimes leads to a breakdown in societies (Hoppers, 2002:3). These systems can be used to benefit the youth. The precedent studies looked at are the BAT Centre in Durban and the Nelson Mandela Youth and Heritage Centre in Qunu (Eastern Cape). These precedents will explore the concepts of identity and the role that architecture plays in instilling national pride and identity while reinforcing the importance of skills development. The materials and the celebration of identity in creating place. The relationship between architecture and heritage and the role it plays in economical growth.
Influence of cinematic strategies on architectural design. towards a film institute for Durban.
(2018) Bhayat, Sumaiya Yusuf.; Ogunsanya, Lawrence Babatunde.

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