Social change as an instigator of architectural design towards a constitutional court in Harare, Zimbabwe.

Abstract

As a new social paradigm emerges from political change, its effects should be echoed through architecture. A new democracy needs an appropriate architectural image, centered on the aspects of social change, particularly that of identity, to encourage society to redefine its image. The built environment therefore needs to incorporate elements of social relevance in order to achieve a more successful and prosperous building. Architecture can be perceived as a relative manifestation of society and culture at a certain time. Political architecture can influence the political compass of the people exposed to it through abstract architectural expression. For that reason, new frames of reference need to be devised which sum up the social change within a country. The architecture of nations that embrace the concept of democracy should be a reflection of this political ideology. Therefore, the post-colonial architecture of Zimbabwe should be the expression of an ‘open’ democracy, one of transparent and accessible government buildings.