portfolio2017

01
MOWBRAY
SOUTH AFRICA
Multi-use building catering for Residential, Commercial
units and the NGO Straatwerk. The project was located
in Mowbray.
INTENT
To create a building that provided a commentary to
the issues identified within Mowbray such as the lack of
green or public space.
CONCEPT
The concept was developed through the stark lack of
nature in the area of Mowbray. The design became
a commentary on this through the juxtopposition of
organic and rectilinear forms.
Programme
- Apartments -Straatwerk NGO
- Market
- Commercial -Gym
- Creche
DEVELOPMENT
The plan of the design creates edge to this triangular
site, where environmental aspects such as sun angles
are used to generate the varied heights.
The copper cladding on the organic building in combination
with its irregular columns and circular windows
brings through the idea of a canopy of trees, in this
dense urban fabric. This visual effect of the canopy is
then literally realized within the courtyard space of the
building, where the internal green landscape rises up to
create a terraced space for the users and residents.
REFLECTIVE COMMENT
The reference to nature through the organic building
clad in copper is reminiscent of a forest of trees and
works well against the backdrop of the ordered rectilinear
apartment block that sets up a strong edge on the
site. This edge aids in protecting the building from the
harshness of the taxi and bus station, while at the same
time creating a piazza, as well as an internal courtyard.
In retrospect, although the use of copper worked well in
realising the intent, the practical application of this in an
area such as Mowbray may be problematic.
7 GIUSEPPE CAROSINI
Site Plan (Left)
Diagrammatic Breakdown (Right)