The site is Harrington Square which is located within District Six on the fringe (outer) area of the Central City. District Six is historically significant for the forced removals that took place during the Apartheid years. The Fringe exists as a grungy, derelict landscape with empty plots, whilst Harrington Square becomes a car park and thoroughfare for people walking to/from work. The area has uncapped potential to be a vibrant public precinct.  

 

After recording the movement routes people took in the precinct of Harrington Square throughout the day, it gave a thorough analysis as to where people were coming from and going to, what kinds of people were moving through and at what pace they were moving at. It is important to observe and analyse what originally exists when applying design and architecture to a place.

 

Hypotheses were made as to what would happen if the empty square had a building to one side. Then, what would happen if two buildings were placed on either side. There would be a smaller square enclosed within the larger square.  The plan allows for that existing route directly through the square to function, whilst the architecture of the cultural centre, the enclosing buildings, lifts out and folds into the landscape, accommodating yet another route to take. The form may send the movement of a person up, down and around the square. It is almost as though the architecture doesn’t exist, the architecture is the landscape that is still free, walkable space.

 

Themes drawn out of the design process:

Blurring boundaries; as you get closer, a little more is revealed; can’t desire something if you don’t have a choice

Tight/ reveal

Outside space; enclosed space; in-between space

Cross programming; allowing programme to breathe out onto site.