Towards an architecture that facilitates research and education in a World Heritage Site : an environmental research facility for the iSimangaliso Wetland Park.

Abstract

The purpose of this research document was to determine a relevant, responsible and appropriate architecture for the design of an Environmental Research Facility for the iSimangaliso Wetland Park World Heritage Site in Northern KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. The nature of this architecture was generated through the investigation of current literature, case and precedent studies and personally conducted interviews with a number of informed professionals. The reason for these recommendations was ultimately the design of the facility for research and education, the goal was always the eventual application of the findings into a design. Ultimately, an appropriate architecture for an Environmental Research Facility for iSimangaliso Wetland Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one which is accountable and responsible regarding the social, economic and environmental aspects of its design. These three rubrics of sustainability were then unpacked and investigated in order to clarify how this would be most effectively be achieved in the eventual design.