Integrated learning spaces in adult education : a case of KwaZulu-Natal.

Abstract

In February 2010, finance minister Pravin Gordhan said: "None of us can rest or sleep peacefully until every South African can say: I can see a better future, I can find a job. I can learn a skill. Hard work will enable me and my family to have shelter and food. If my children work hard at school and college, they will have a better future and a thousand opportunities. Our people want action on jobs, growth and poverty. We must build a new common purpose so that we can use all of our talents, skills and resources to tackle our economic and social challenges.” (Minister of Finance Pravin Gordhan, Budget Speech, 17 February 2010) Education is an essential component of the reconstruction, development and transformation of the South African Society. Due to past governmental policies, a huge gap in the level of education between adults has developed. These people need to be given the skills so that they can reintegrate into their respective communities, becoming active citizens partaking fully in the South African economy. Therefore it is aimed to provide a centre that promotes vocational skills development in the adult sector of the population. It is aimed to promote social reintegration of people through skills development, and aim to enliven previously neglected communities and be a catalyst for community revitalisation, as the centre grows the human resource potential of the respective community. Hence, the aim of this research is to investigate what architectural elements and design factors combine best to promote the most effective educational environments for the adult teaching and learning processes. It will consist of both primary and secondary sources, while conclusions will be drawn from precedent and case studies, but a balance between primary and secondary research is needed in order to create a workable, imaginative and sound architectural solution for the design of an adult education and vocational skills centre.