An abstract of my treatise

The Urban Interface
Anke de Wit, s20428740    
Imagine a space where the seeming boundaries between the Urban landscape and Agricultural vegetation is merged in a centre, with an end goal of producing interactive experiences that will unlock the principals of sustainability to a community.

The following design proposal is of a centre that will be home to a new type of community. A community forged with careful consideration to the sensitive contradictions, which exist between nature and manmade structures. A community that fully understand both spheres and has a desire to protect and prolong the resources available.

For such a community to be relevant it cannot only exist in the physical or in real time, it should encompass the virtual spheres of web-based communities, which exist in boundless, timeless cyber space. For such a space/centre to be relevant, and usable, it should form a successful integration between the natural and Urban, as well as the virtual and physical worlds. In essence, an interface where these contradictory elements not only exist together but jointly synthesize a new space. In search of formulating the principals that will guide the structure of such a space one can turn to nature and the basic physical principals hidden within.  

The WORD and IDEA of photosynthesis is the rather captivating principal, which might find application in such a centre, for example photosynthesis. Photo - meaning light; and synthesis meaning to create from. The interface will resemble the interdependence that exist between the physical and the virtual by creating volumes, spaces and boundaries organised and synthesized by light, and optical illusions achieved by the manipulation of light within the proposed centre. In essence, a PHOTO-SYNTHETIC space that is both synthesised and defined by the manipulation of light and that can synthesize and cultivate valuable agricultural produce.

Imagine the varied interactions in such a space, connections with nature, man, community, virtual experiences, reality obscured by the invisible reality of light, which becomes the witness that provides testimony of the proof and existence of life.   

A clever, shape shifting bag inspired by origami

A CLEVER, SHAPE-SHIFTING BAG INSPIRED BY ORIGAMI

AN UPGRADE ON THE TIRED, PLASTIC LAUNDRY HAMPER.BY: MARGARET RHODESinShareThe market for reusable tote bags not only now exists but is brimming with choices: Ripstop nylon, or leather? One hue, patterned, or with a catchphrase?The Omni bag by Kumeko, a Prague-based design studio, is one of the most architecturally interesting examples to date. “A big part of the Kumeko ethos is the focus on preserving old-fashioned handcrafting techniques,” says designer Alexandra Fefelova, who recently “rediscovered a passion for origami,” which led to this geometric bag.

Omni comes in four sizes: the smallest is essentially a purse, and the largest is sized for laundry or storage. Considerate user details will be seen, especially for city-dwellers in small apartments, in the Omni’s Transformer-like versatility. The smaller two bags can transform into three different shapes, and the larger two have four possible iterations. And once emptied, they all pack flat and stow neatly away.

Dj decks made of paper

http://www.ted.com/talks/kate_stone_dj_decks_made_of_paper.html

Insect breeding station

Make your own protein snacks at home with this tabletop insect farm http://www.theverge.com/2013/7/25/4557988/insect-breeding-station-turns-fly-larvae-into-an-edible-source-of

Inspiring photography

Cameron Davidson Captures Our World from Above http://www.visualnews.com/2013/05/17/cameron-davidson-captures-our-world-from-above/

Urban Interface logo

CORPORATE IDENTITY    

The identity of the centre should reflect the functions within the building. These functions include instilling the necessary knowledge in a society that will equip them in order to transform their immediate- and city environments into sustainable environments. Making a positive change to a city/urban environment through knowledge and training.

In order to change a society one needs to equip the society with the necessary knowledge and skill to facilitate change, therefore the primary function will be of education and training. (Community Kitchen and Lecture hall will provide various levels of training).

The other functions will serve to support the Centre in order to make it economically, socially, and environmentally sustainable. These functions include a Restaurant, Strip mall, Community market and Recycling centre.

The Centre will serve as an example of sustainable methods successfully implemented. Elements such as Grey water recycling, solar geysers, energy efficient lighting and Urban Agriculture/vertical farming will all be in use and on display.

The aim is to create a nodes between the civic and industrial areas of town, a point of interaction between the two. Its position includes it in the CBD regeneration area and location on Govan Mbeki (Main Road) positions it at the heart of the public transport routes. In short, the centre will create a Sustainable Urban Environment through Urban agriculture.

In order to achieve a sustainable community all people within a city need to come together, stand united for a cause. The U + I symbolize the coming together of individuals. These letters can also represent separate social or cultural groups.

The Bus, bottom left of the U, resemble public transport. Public transport is a symbol of community, it is a humble form of transport and more sustainable than using a motor vehicle. At the right top half of the U, sky scraper windows are incorporated subtle into the letter, this symbolize the professionals. All spheres of society should be welcome and have use of the Centre. The leaves in the I represent the sustainable and Agricultural element to the Centre. It is placed in the centre instead of above of the I, because it forms the heart of the centre. It is the origin of the centre. In order to make a change in a city, one needs to have a change of heart, A vision filled with compassion.

The + sign, resembles the coming together of many different elements. Its aim is to bring to memory the sign one often sees when a blood type is denoted. O⁺ for example. Secondly in order to make a success of such a project a sustainable lifestyle needs to become so much a part of a person’s life it should be something one cannot live without...blood. Thirdly, it hints that this centre aims to make a positive change in the community.

Design concept

CONCEPT

The relevance of Community

Community has a deep routed influence in how society has developed over centuries. It can affect many areas of an individual’s life, including cultural, values & principals and customs & practices.

For many centuries, African communities have lived in tribal communities. These tribes most often build their houses around a central courtyard or square. Similar to the use of Market squares in Western cities, a central point where the community comes together either to trade, share food or provide support and bond. The occurrence of communion happens between all people in the tripe. It is a natural instinct to seek protection in groups. This has occurred since the earliest times of human existence, together the group is stronger than the individual is. The nurturing quality provided in a group is at the essence of human existence. To interact with one another gives the surety that one is still alive. Helping to improve the common environment and circumstances assures the survival of future generations.

In African tribes, a fire is often at the centre of the gathering space. The fire radiates heat in all directions around it. It is the method used for preparing food and provides comfort in cold nights as well as protection form wild animals. Referencing the traditional Xhosa kraal, these can only be found in isolate areas of the country.  Tribes such as the Owhambo’s in Namibia still build their community around this same principal. In these instances, the food preparation and serving area forms the central point of such a village.

In Western civilization, water fountains are found at the centre of the gathering places. In this instance, Water is the source of life; it provides relief and refreshment to the community and weary travellers. 

 

The proposal is to grow a number of vegetables, fruits and herbs within the central courtyard of the Urban Sustainability centre; these will be used in the restaurant. It will extend three storeys-vertically and 5x11 meters-horizontally. Walkways and bridges in-between floors and functions will create a network of connections to facilitate interaction.

The Premier Milling building was used to produce flour from wheat, this flour was to be used by all the local bakeries to bake bread, which is a basic essential food each human is entitled to. It is therefore appropriate that the Mill Buildings now once again produces nourishment for the community. With time comes development, and in addition to providing nutritional nourishment, this Centre will provide mental, social and economical nourishment.

In order to make this proposal relevant, it is important to research the traditional influence of community from all the cultures living in Port Elizabeth, more importantly one should understand how a contemporary community operates, survives and interacts. In the case of the latter, community has become irrevocably intertwined with technology. The establishment of virtual communities have broken the physical boundaries which traditionally define a community. The target market includes all generations, but it should be taken into consideration that the larger portion of the target market will be of generation X, Y and Z, with baby boomers reaching retirement age. Therefore combining a virtual community life with physical interaction will achieve a balance in society as well as establishing a Agricultural Centre that will uplift a community, deeply rooted in sustainability which make use of the opportunities presented by technology rather than regressing to a place without.

Amazing Graphic

Lookout tower - Austria

Styria, Austria

The idea of this tower, as if screwed into the ground, the architects of the Bureau of terrain: loenhart & mayr prompted the stairs in the form of a double helix in the castle of Graz.

It is not only impressive, but also practical: one of the spiral people rise to a height of twenty-seven meters, the other down without interfering with each other.

From the top of the observation deck can be studied understand Mura, with intermediate - different floors of the forest.

 

 

 

Estacion de Atocha—Madrid, Spain

 Background: The Estacion de Atocha is the largest railway station in Madrid: People can catch commuter, regional and high-speed trains from Barcelona and Seville. After the being destroyed by a fire, the station was rebuilt in 1892 with a design by Alberto de Palacio Elissagne and Gustave Eiffel, the designer of the Eiffel Tower, in a wrought-iron renewal style.

Why It's Unique: While the physical building of the station is a great work of architecture on its own, it wasn't exactly a full of fun experiences for the rider. Nielsen explains that a great enhancement of passenger experience is having great views in their station. "You're waiting for a train for five, 10, even 15 minutes," he says. "A lot of these elevated stations actually have incredible vantage points that the public never gets to see." In 1992, the station brought the views inside with the addition of a 4000-square-meter jungle to its interior, complete with over 500 species of animals and plants. Now that's something to check out while you wait.