The Iziko SA National Gallery is hosting the Daimler Chrysler SA Architecture Award Exhibition until 30 March. From Andrew Horn's return to thatching, to Heinrich Wolff's urban eco-design in Du Noon, this should be an interesting show. From the Saturday Argus [requires subscription]:
An admirable humanitarian approach is exemplified by Zimbabwe-born and Johannesburg-based Heather Dodd, who pinpoints the urgency facing the South African government to embrace the fact that forming communities depends on housing. The negative impact of a lack of sensitive fore-thought keeps a legacy of neglect and cruelty alive on our doorsteps in the Cape Flats and horrifically engineered sub-economic housing remains the breeding ground of gangsterism and depravity.
Pointing out that she is "trying to make neighbourhoods", Dodd mentions a "spatial fabric" and social structure that is influenced by and indeed shapes the experience of the individuals who live in the structures she designs.
Exactly. If we don't provide the environment needed to get the social structures right, as part of building cities, we can forget about sustainability.
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