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The design of a fish processing facility in Port Louis, Republic of Mauritius

  • Authors: Tegally, Ghazaalah
  • Date: 2016
  • Subjects: City planning -- Mauritius Community development, Urban -- Mauritius , Sustainable development -- Mauritius Fish trade -- Mauritius
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/19102 , vital:28773
  • Description: This treatise will be focused on the design of a Mixed-use Facility in Mauritius, which will be implemented within an existing fishing village, Grand Gaube, located along the Northern coast of the Island. This site has been chosen due to its high fishermen population relying on fishing for their livelihoods. The proposed design will be aimed at a sustainable fishery which will involve the development of offshore bank fishing as opposed to the traditional lagoon fishing. With a focus on promoting a better catch quantity and quality, the increase in domestic production will be aimed at supplying the local market whereby a significant demand for seafood exists. In the process, the project will aim to alleviate poverty for the local fishermen communities through increased trade and job creations, while being in line with the Government’s vision for the development of the fisheries sector in Mauritius. The facility will include a Fish Landing Terminal, a Fish Processing Plant, and a Fish Market, for the production of a branded local product while accommodating the fishermen’s daily activities, as well as a highly public platform to create an activated public environment. In doing so, the proposed architectural intervention will act as a catalyst for urban and social change.
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  • Date Issued: 2016

The design of a football academy and community sports centre for Kwazakhele, Port Elizabeth

  • Authors: Fijac, Jason Andrew
  • Date: 2016
  • Subjects: Sports facilities -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Designs and plans Urban renewal -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , City planning -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/18684 , vital:28706
  • Description: Most youth from disadvantaged groups in South Africa’s townships lack adequate social facilities to spend time. This situation also prevails in the Ibhayi townships on the periphery of Port Elizabeth. This treatise emerged out of the author’s interest in the township of Kwazakhele (one of thirteen townships which constitute Ibhayi) and his concern for the poor sense of urban space prevailing in the area. To this end, the research conducted in this treatise investigated the nature of Kwazakhele from a macro scale to a precinct scale in terms of the township’s location, connectivity, spatial organisation, organisation of activities, lateral urban sprawl, built fabric, and socio-economic condition. From this investigation, it was determined that Kwazakhele functions as an enclaved system within the greater system of Ibhayi. The major issues affecting Kwazakhele were identified as fragmentation, disconnection, dispersal of activities, urban sprawl, and a lack of urban legibility. The issue of dispersed activities in Ibhayi had been identified as one of the major contributors to the poor urban environment. Because addressing this issue has been recognised as an effective way of improving the urban environment, the aim of this treatise is to address this issue and provide an architectural and urban response which attempts to reduce the dispersal of activities in Ibhayi in general and particularly in Kwazakhele. Through the interrogation of the nature of dispersed activities in Ibhayi, it was observed that, while activities are mostly dispersed throughout the townships, there are areas where higher concentrations of certain activities have emerged. Therefore, in response to this, a conceptual strategy has been proposed to consolidate the activities in these areas into concentrated centres of activities which are connected via a series of pedestrian movement paths. Kwazakhele had been identified as having a higher (yet inadequate) intensity of sporting facilities and had therefore been proposed as a concentrated centre of sporting and recreational activities. An appropriate site was then selected to be developed as the heart of this centre, based on a number of criteria. The resultant programme was a Football Academy and Community Sports Centre. This result was based on the needs of the community and the aims of the conceptual urban strategy. The role of the facility was then interrogated and it was determined that it should function as a major structuring element in the township. This lead to an investigation into the nature of positive urban space in a township through the interrogation of three precedents. The principles established from this interrogation were used to help structure the nature of the proposed facility in terms of its response to the public realm and its level of urban integration. The resulting building is responsive to its urban environment and sensitive to the needs of the community it serves. It plays a key role in structuring the urban environment of Kwazakhele and therefore it increases the urban legibility, while addressing the predetermined urban and architectural issues.
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  • Date Issued: 2016

The design of a Kaolin processing facility in Grahamstown, province of the Eastern Cape

  • Authors: Bowles, Brendon Jerome
  • Date: 2016
  • Subjects: Architecture, Modern -- 21st century -- Designs and plans , Architecture -- South Africa -- Grahamstown -- Designs and plans , Industrial buildings -- South Africa -- Grahamstown -- Design and construction
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/15433 , vital:28245
  • Description: The Story of clay in the Grahamstown area can be dated as far back as 1812. In 1823 there was conflict between the Xhosa and the British Settlers over clay pits at Coombs valley, an area outside Grahamstown towards East London (Holleman, 1997, p. 50). Since the initial conflict, the mining of the resource has become a commercial activity. Pottery industries, brick making facilities and a kaolin mill were opened, with brick making being the only economically sustained activity which continues to present day. With the largest known deposits of quality kaolin in South Africa, the economic condition of the context of Grahamstown is not benefitting from the abundance of the raw-clay material (Malatji, 2010). The material is currently being mined at Strowan mine, the most active mine in the area, approximately 4km from Grahamstown and is transported to Johannesburg for milling. The transport costs involved in moving the material from the mine to the mill has impeded potential production. In 1988 the production of Kaolin from the Grahamstown area accounted for 55% of total local production in South Africa, but that figure had dropped to 27% by 2008 (Horan, 2008, p.1). The high waste factor and the cost implication involved in the erecting of the required infrastructure and equipment for a mill, become the main impediment to erecting a new Kaolin mill in Grahamstown. The raw material which is milled has a waste factor of approximately 90 percent, meaning that; of the material mined in the open cast mining method, less than 10 percent is transported to be milled (Burchell, 2015). Capital gain from production of kaolin in relation to the cost of the mill is inadequate to financially sustain the costs of erecting a kaolin mill for Grahamstown. A need for a by-product to utilize the high waste content of the mined product in a waste resourceful manner will potentially sustain a new mill economically. With the problem of transport and foreign provincial exploitation of local resources, a kaolin mill for Grahamstown will increase production and potentially become a catalyst for future development around kaolin supporting industries such as ceramics, paper industries, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. This treatise is a strategic approach towards the design of a Kaolin mill with a brick making factory as a by-product of the waste of the high quality kaolin.
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  • Date Issued: 2016

The design of a maritime museum in the Durban harbour

  • Authors: Holgate, Richard
  • Date: 2016
  • Subjects: Museum architecture -- South Africa -- Durban -- Designs and plans Naval museums -- South Africa -- Darban -- Designs and plans
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/19916 , vital:29005
  • Description: This treatise focuses on the design of a maritime museum for Durban’s harbour. The building is concerned with the preservation of three vessels, namely the “JR More”, the “SAS Durban”, and the “Ulundi” that are currently stationed at the existing museum. The purpose of the treatise is to investigate the issues and processes involved in the design of a maritime museum in Durban. The research begins with an analysis of the typology in order to better understand the spatial and physical nature of a maritime museum. A set of architectural issues are identified in response to which an appropriate architectural design is proposed. Four particular precedents are investigated for which the spatial make up of each buildings is divided into categories, and the relationships between these are analyzed. The physical nature of the buildings is established, resulting in the identification of an appropriate architectural language. Analysis of the precedents leads to site selection criteria which are used to select an appropriate site from these possibilities. The nature of site is then investigated. A set of informants and constraints are developed by identifying the issues of site. The structuring elements of site are analysed individually and precedents are studied to establish a response to these issues. An architectural language that is site specific is then developed by investigating the nature of industrial harbours. With an understanding of the spatial and physical make up of the typology paired with responses to the specific issues of site, a maritime museum for Durban’s harbour is designed.
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  • Date Issued: 2016

The design of a new opera house for Port Elizabeth: as a catalyst for a harbour waterfront development

  • Authors: Davidson, Michael James
  • Date: 2016
  • Subjects: Theaters -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Designs and plans Centers for the performing arts -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Theater architecture -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/18696 , vital:28708
  • Description: This document records the research and design process the author undertook during the treatise project. The project stems from the author’s interest in the architecture of opera houses and the potential for the design of a new iconic opera house in Port Elizabeth. Initial research begun with an analysis of the historical development of the opera house typology and the underlying principles of contemporary opera houses. Research was then directed towards the possibility of building a new opera house in Port Elizabeth, and what basis there might be for such a venture. This led to an exploration of urban catalyst buildings, particularly those initiating the regeneration of former industrial waterfronts. That Port Elizabeth has a notable industrial harbour, which may potentially be developed into a waterfront precinct was a key informant in choosing to formulate the project as an opera house that would be a catalyst for such a development. The vision for the building is one of beauty and grandeur. As an iconic attractor to the Port Elizabeth harbour, the opera house should delight visitors by its sculptural quality and spatial experience alongside the water’s edge. It should provide positive public space with activities that can be used by non-theatre patrons so that the building will attract large numbers of people, which will stimulate more development, in line with the theory of urban catalytic development.
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  • Date Issued: 2016

The design of a research centre for the study of indigenous medical plants, Walter Sisulu University, Mthatha

  • Authors: Dabula, Xola
  • Date: 2016
  • Subjects: College buildings , Research institutes -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Designs and plans , Architecture -- Technological innovations -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Architecture, Modern
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/18718 , vital:28710
  • Description: This treatise is preoccupied with the design of an Indigenous Medicine Research Institute within the region of (the former) underdeveloped Transkei. The interest in the matter developed out of a concern for a medical system which finds itself in jeopardy of depletion due to over-harvesting which is endangering the ecosystem and its dependents. This is as a resultant lack of development due to its informal nature, and loss of impact of traditional knowledge. Indigenous medicine forms part of the cultural, religious, medical and socio-economical back bone of the region, research will create opportunities for the discovery of new medicinal plants and exploring the applications of age-old remedies in contemporary times. Thus developing and promoting indigenous medicine of the region to a wider user group, in a sustainable method which will protect the environment. Architecturally, the design seeks to respond to an in-depth quest to identify the appropriate nurturing of the relationship between learning and the natural environment, while accommodating the necessary programmatic components which will satisfy the needs of the Institute; namely education, conservation and research. Central to the design is the development of an architecture that addresses the fundamental challenges of education, conservation and the research of plants, in a manner that provides opportunities for collaborative learning practices and an interchange between the user-groups and the plants to be studied, resulting in a building that is at harmony with nature. Through this collaboration of the diverse components, an effective scheme has evolved which offers a singular co-operative environment for the indigenous medical system, in a particular effort to transform the learning environment and extend of the knowledge, as a catalyst for further development and reconciliation with nature. Set in the academic context of the Walter Sisulu University Campus, a once major university in Transkei renowned for its medical department, the Research Institute facility re-establishes the University's medical status in a manner that truly represents its region. The built form will integrate itself into the existing campus conditions in a contemporary way that sets up a response which is conducive to the discovery, preservation and sharing of knowledge pertaining to indigenous medicine.
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  • Date Issued: 2016

The design of a retirement home: bridging the gap for the elderly generation through the design of a retirement complex in the heart of a growing city core located in Walmer, Port Elizabeth

  • Authors: Watson, Robin Anthony
  • Date: 2016
  • Subjects: Adult day care centers -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Design and construction , Nursing homes -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Design and construction , Older people -- Dwellings -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Planning , Old age homes -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Design and construction
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MArch
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/39185 , vital:35054
  • Description: This treatise has been developed from a combination of a specific programme and site related issues. The project centred around the design of a new retirement complex in Walmer, Port Elizabeth. The specific urban condition is of particular interest as the site is centrally located at a meeting point of three different spatial urban conditions, namely commercial, institutional and suburban residential. The programme developed from the need to develop a new typology of elderly housing for the growing elderly population in Port Elizabeth in order to address the often overlooked issues of the existing typologies. These issues were looked into, leading to the understanding that the existing retirement options available within Port Elizabeth are based on the functional separation of the different levels of care required by the elderly in establishments that are isolated from the greater community and are, in some cases, institutional in nature. However, when looking at models for retirement facilities available within other contexts, it is clear that new and innovated models have been developed which have advantages over these 'traditional' establishments. This treatise aims at developing a retirement model within the suburb of Walmer that supports a variety of unique residential options and comprehensive services that meet the needs of recently retired persons who remain active, as well as frail residents. The identifiable challenge is the establishment of an architectural model that provides its occupants with privacy and identity while allowing them to integrate with their environment and avoids the need to move as they grow older.
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  • Date Issued: 2016

The design of a school model rural school for the rural Transkei, province of the Eastern Cape

  • Authors: Van der Walt, Louwrens
  • Date: 2016
  • Subjects: School buildings -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Designs and plans Elementary school buildings -- South Africa -- Transkei -- Design and construction , School buildings -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/15422 , vital:28243
  • Description: This treatise investigates the issues and processes involved in the school provision systems used to provide schools in the former Transkei area of the Eastern Cape. The purpose of the treatise is to better understand the contextual, spatial, physical and theoretical nature of the rural areas at present of the Transkei and how these provision systems have responded to this. From this understanding a set of architectural issues are identified from which an appropriate building is designed, along with an appropriate provision system. Several precedents of provision systems used in the Transkei are investigated, along with several architectural precedents according to their particular responses. This is done in order to uncover the spatial relationships, material and physical aspects, as well as theoretical issues, from which an appropriate architectural language can be identified. The need for the provision systems to be investigated is established along with the identification of four sites within the Transkei area which are to be investigated. The selected site on which the design will be implemented is located on a tar road between Dutya and Willowvale as it has similar attributes to most existing school sites in the former Transkei and therefore functions as a good testing ground for developing an appropriate design that can be implemented on multiple sites. In order for the design of the provision system and building to be appropriate, an in-depth contextual analysis is done on the Transkei area as a whole from which a set of constraints and informants are derived to better guide the design.
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  • Date Issued: 2016

The design of a skills training centre in Grahamstown, Province of the Eastern Cape

  • Authors: Rieger, Clare Mary
  • Date: 2016
  • Subjects: College buildings -- South Africa -- Grahamstown -- Designs and plans Campus planning -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Architecture, Modern -- 21st century
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/19113 , vital:28774
  • Description: The objective of the first component, which outlines the research, is to start with a contextual exploration in order to analyse the nature of Grahamstown and in particular the Fingo Village. This was done to establish the background to the problem and identify the particular issues which impact the criteria established for the urban implementation strategy. As a result of the urban design strategies, certain issues were identified within a focused precinct and generated a relevant design response for a 21st century building. This response is then further supported by a brief investigation of current trends within a similar context. Furthermore the research component explores the defined design project with an emphasis placed on understanding the nature of the type, analysing relevant precedent studies and further conducting a technical investigation of the building type. In order to establish an appropriate response to the immediate context, the conclusions which are made from the issues and investigation will allow for good architectural approaches. Component two is concerned with the development of the design. Taking into account the established criteria, a brief for the design was formulated including the required functions to be accommodated in order to finally execute the design, up until technical resolution. The desired outcome of this treatise is the formulation of an urban spatial framework with an appropriate design that is born out of the particular characteristics of the area chosen.
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  • Date Issued: 2016

The design of a student resource centre in central Port Elizabeth

  • Authors: Jacobs, Lize-Mari
  • Date: 2016
  • Subjects: Library architecture -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth Libraries -- Space utilization , Library buildings -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MArch
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/18908 , vital:28748
  • Description: The city centre of Port Elizabeth houses a large percentage of the city’s student population. The primary tertiary institution, the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, is decentralised from the city centre. Thus, many students sacrifice a lot of time and money travelling far distances between the campus and home every day. The treatise proposes a Student Resource Centre in Central Port Elizabeth as an appropriate building that will provide the students with appropriate learning spaces and access to resources in close proximity to home. The treatise seeks to understand the aspects that influence the design of learning spaces. Students and pedagogy are constantly changing within the current age of technology. Learning spaces should be designed to satisfy student needs and reinforce current pedagogy. The treatise also investigates the challenges and opportunities of an identified site located within a precinct that is inaccessible and in a state of urban decay that causes segregation within the city. The Student Resource Centre will act as a central gathering and learning space serving the many varied needs of the students within its constituency, while also positively contributing to the urban context of the city as a whole.
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  • Date Issued: 2016

The design of a tannery near Bulawayo, Republic of Zimbabwe

  • Authors: Sibanda, Sinqumo
  • Date: 2016
  • Subjects: Factories -- Zimbabwe -- Designs and plans Architecture, Industrial -- Zimbabwe -- Designs and plans , Tanneries -- Zimbabwe -- Designs and plans Architecture, Modern -- 21st century
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/18707 , vital:28709
  • Description: The purpose of this research is to develop a design for a tannery using alternative tanning methods where natural chemicals would be used in the place of metal based acid. There are unprecedented levels of contamination in the natural water systems due to partially processed chemicals coming out of industries with tanneries producing a significant amount of untreated effluent. The aim of the research is to investigate the process of reclamation, rehabilitation and reuse of the animal hides as well as the reproduction of the inherent context, where a mutually beneficial interaction between the program and the context will be realized. This will involve a process of reclamation of the existing waste land, the remodeling of the existing dilapidated sewerage treatment infrastructure such that the existing structures and the waste treatment processes are adapted for the benefaction of the tannery. The design will explore the symbiotic nature and the contrasts that are inherent in factories as a type, with high volumes of waste and the envisaged mitigation mechanism this facility will have to the natural environment. Spatial concepts dealing with these programmatic contrasts, that is, containment and openness, heavy and light, interiority and exteriority, threshold and termination will be interrogated.
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  • Date Issued: 2016

The design of a water treatment and research facility for the shark river in Happy Valley, Port Elizabeth

  • Authors: Van der Westhuizen, Leon Vercueil
  • Date: 2016
  • Subjects: Sustainable architecture -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- 21st century Architecture -- Environmental aspects -- 21st century , Water -- Purification -- Biological treatment -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/18740 , vital:28718
  • Description: This treatise was born out of an ecological concern for the abandoned Boet Erasmus stadium in Happy Valley, Port Elizabeth. The derelict state of the stadium along with polluted urban waste water and contaminated water from the Shark River, has caused severe destruction to the unique ecosystems only found in this part of the metropole. The current environmental status of the stadium provides the foundations for investigations into an architectural intervention of a remedial nature to rehabilitate the valley and implement water remediation strategies to filter the polluted and contaminated water. The treatise further seeks to create environmental awareness of how important these ecosystems are in urban environments and what services they can provide for its citizens. The research conducted focused on the relationship between man and nature and how to successfully integrate the natural and built environments. This provided unique responses in developing an architectural and urban intervention that responded to the ecological issues of the derelict site and re-introduced nature into the city to enrich the natural environment to the advantage of both man and nature. Rhizofiltration has been employed as an water remediation strategy for the site, through using various aquatic plants such as water lilies to filter the contaminants and heavy metals in the water. The associated agricultural practices and water cleaning systems are managed by the architectural intervention. The project starts off as a series of wetland systems and a basic water lily farm which then develops into a water treatment and research facility, to harvest, process and research the flower by-products produced by the Rhizofiltration process. The water lilies have the ability to absorb the heavy metals and when saturated they are harvested and used as test subjects to extract and smelt the heavy metals to produce precious jewellery pieces. Through the process of biologically filtering the polluted and contaminated water, water lilies will thrive in the landscape and provide opportunity for cultivating indigenous plants to form part of the rehabilitation process of Happy Valley. As a result, the treatment process will provide natural public swimming areas to promote public awareness and participation. A site specific and an regenerative type of architecture will be investigated to facilitate the changing nature of the biological treatment processes and return the site to an environmentally sound state, which will contribute to the rehabilitation of Happy Valley.
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  • Date Issued: 2016

The design of a yacht manufacturing facility for Robertson & Caine in the East London harbour

The design of a youth resource centre-, in Korsten, Port Elizabeth

  • Authors: Marillier, Nicole Nora
  • Date: 2016
  • Subjects: Library architecture -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth Library buildings -- Planning , Recreation -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Design and construction
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/15453 , vital:28250
  • Description: This treatise investigates the contextual, spatial, physical and social-economic conditions of Korsten, Port Elizabeth, in order to produce an architectural intervention in the form of a Youth Resource Centre, that can respond to unemployment, gangsterism, drug abuse and health issues. Korsten has a high concentration of schooling facilities which draws in youths from surrounding areas such as Gelvandale and New Brighton thus creating a nodal point of youthful energy. Through research and understanding of existing conditions it is hoped to provide an intervention strategy to be a catalyst to promote the urban regeneration of the Korsten precinct which will give a cultural identity and community upliftment to the area. The methodology used is in the form of both qualitative and quantitative research oriented towards discovery, description and an overall understanding of processes and activities. The “nature of the site” is studied by breaking down the various spatial and physical structures that make up Korsten. Layers were mapped out on various scales from metro to sub-metro. Several precedent studies were done - three precedent studies focused on similar “township” contextual conditions for community type buildings. These precedents were analysed through certain categories (contextual, spatial and material) in order to depict certain positive and negative aspects. Further four precedent studies were done to form an understanding of the nature of the building type. The selection of the buildings was based on the programmes aimed at youth development all concerned with the youth of their various areas. The selected buildings were viewed through specific criteria in order to draw conclusions from which to generate an appropriate architectural response. From these aspects conclusions were drawn which were applied in the design process. As these conditions were being unpacked, a youth resource centre emerged focused on education , health and performance showcasing. This building type developed in response to the specific challenges faced by the youth of the area.
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  • Date Issued: 2016

The design of an affroestation plant for Tsitsikamma forest reserve, province of the Eastern Cape

  • Authors: Maybery, Keegan Lyle
  • Date: 2016
  • Subjects: Architecture -- Environmental aspects Architecture, Modern -- 21st century , Forest conservation -- South Africa -- Tsitsikamma Forests and forestry -- South Africa -- Tsitsikamma
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/18875 , vital:28742
  • Description: Environmental degeneration along the south coast of South Africa’s Garden route, particularly the Tsitsikamma region, has reached dire straits. The commercial alien tree plantations have taken over national reserves resulting in wildlife habitat and movement restrictions, high risk fire zones, the choking of crucial mountain water catchments as well as depleted the sense of place of the area (Cowling et al., 2009). Poor management of these reserves and commercial plantation supervision are primary contributors to this, which has lead to the ecological immanent disaster we now face. The result of this is a complete depletion of fresh water feeding the local community and tourists, the local agriculture which supply food to much of the coastal region and ultimately the destruction of indigenous natural biomes with devastating effect on the species of flora and fauna in the area. The aim of this treatise is to introduce a flexible metabolic building within the sensitive natural environment in order to catalyse the afforestation of indigenous flora in the Tsitsikamma region. This is to be achieved through a design process that involves the development of an adaptable architecture that responds to the delicacy of the site and the interwoven nature of the ecology with which it must interact, taking cognisance of the significance of flexibility, place and trace in the approach. The design implementation is envisoned to possess two stages, namely the implemention of a sawmill (Phase 1) as a temporary unit which will permanently eradicate the alien forestry and re-purpose the trees into fertilizer, biofuel and building materials. Once the sawmill has fulfilled its purpose, the temporary structure will take on a new form through a tranformation into a Honeybush tea processing plant. Phase 2 of the practical implementation involves the re-use of the processed timber, which will be incorporated as the building material for the construction of a management, exhibition and research facility. Ultimately “filling in the gaps” of the fragmented coastal forest ecosystem reconnecting Tsitsikamma to the Wilderness nature reserve. The infill will be in the form of Honeybush, an indigenous plant which exhibits lush flowers and other indigenous forest flora. The Honeybush yields Vitamin C, potassium, calcium and magnesium. It’s natural materials contain bioactive compounds called polyphenols that are known to possess antioxidants, antiatherosclerotic, anti-inflammatory, antimutagenic, antitumor, and antiviral activities.
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  • Date Issued: 2016

The design of an airport terminal in Somerset East, province of the Eastern Cape

  • Authors: Karihindi, Kounikui
  • Date: 2016
  • Subjects: Aeronautical museums -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Designs and plans , Airport buildings -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Airports -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Designs and plans
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/18886 , vital:28743
  • Description: In addressing the stunted growth of the town of Somerset East, the treatise suggests that the model of an aerotropolis be used as means to spur economic growth an development of the town. The treatise proposes the design of an air terminal facility, to act as a catalyst, for which growth of a mini-Aerotropolis will happen around as well as a northern gateway for tourism to two of South Africa's popular national parks; Addo Elephant National Park and Mountain Zebra National park. The challenge being the creation of a building type that incorporates several would be segregated activities into one hybrid that generates public space within an interface or transcient space.
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  • Date Issued: 2016

The design of an aquaculture plant for the lower Swartkops valley, Eastern Cape

  • Authors: Skein, Philip Jacobus
  • Date: 2016
  • Subjects: Architecture -- Conservation and restoration -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Landscape architecture -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Aquaculture -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Fishes -- Conservation
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/15389 , vital:28237
  • Description: This treatise originated as a response to the current environmental issue that is currently threatening the existence of biodiversities within the Swartkops Estuarine region. The increasing amount of illegal and negligent human-related activities within the Estuary has seen to an rise in degradation and destruction of our natural ecosystems with the issue of water pollution recently acquiring crisis stage. Being brought up in Uitenhage, the close proximity of the Swartkops River naturally served as an endless resource of outdoor activities over the years. Witnessing the current degraded state of my beloved river served as motivation for this treatise which is an attempt to address and reconcile our relationship with the natural environment. The issues facing the natural environment of Swartkops will be looked at in depth and sets of integrated interventions will be proposed in order to minimise further anthropocentric effects on nature. The project will attempt to develop a restorative design framework that will achieve ecological-, economical-, and social sustainability whilst voicing conservation awareness through the promotion of sustainable industry in the region. The project will address issues of natural degradation on various scales in order to develop an holistic approach that will restore and sustain the local- and national value of the Swartkops Estuary. The series of interventions will eventually lead to the design of a building located in Swartkops Village.
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  • Date Issued: 2016

The design of an international wool exchange for Port Elizabeth

  • Authors: Bothma, Ashley Andre
  • Date: 2016
  • Subjects: Historic sites -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth Historic buildings -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MArch
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/38852 , vital:35007
  • Description: Due to the growth increase in the wool industry in South Africa and the industry's lack of public activity that the existing South Africa (S.A) wool exchange exudes, the opportunity for a new type of wool exchange presents itself. the advantages in technology have evolved in many an industry and the same can be for the wool industry. the existing S.A. wool exchange fails to comfortably meet the needs of the industry with regards to technology. the creation of international wool exchange will provide a platform to boost the industry and incorporate the use of current technology to improve on the process involved within the program. BKB. Ltd have expressed a similar interest in the development of an international wool exchange but have requested the use of an abounded heritage building in an attempt at a sustainable future through re-use.
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  • Date Issued: 2016

The design of an internet sever facility in central, Port Elizabeth

  • Authors: Binda, Mathew Ryan
  • Date: 2016
  • Subjects: City planning -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth Urban renewal -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Land use, Urban -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth Central places -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/18762 , vital:28720
  • Description: The concepts underlying this treatise develop from an observation of contemporary society’s inherent reliance on technology, its growing popularity as an information exchange mechanism and Africa’s lack of connection to it’s foundation, the internet. Human interaction with digital technology, supported by the internet, has created a new social culture which manifests meaning through visual and virtual cues. These make reference to place and are experienced as real and individual, relating to theories such as Heidegger’s imagined place (Heidegger 1971). In order to enhance Southern Africa’s connection with the global network of the internet, the design of an Internet Server Facility will bridge previously under-utilized international lines into the country at Port Elizabeth engaging with the existing infrastructural system. At this point of connection the infrastructural zone impedes the extension of a public environment. The design seeks to challenge the conception of the highway infrastructure in Port Elizabeth as objects that dehumanise space. It intends to emphasise structure and building as a set of processes or systems able to work together to enable not only the functional aspects of data infrastructure, but also respond to the urban fabric providing a multitude of spatial environments that engage with everyday human activity. Investigations of the previous impact of infrastructure which has been layered onto the edge of Port Elizabeth’s historical core, reveal the stripping of it’s place-making qualities over time, resulting in an urban wasteland. In considering the placement of an infrastructural system, an existing vacant space that forms part of the current infrastructure is more appropriate than using up other urban spaces. In its response, the system would need to respond to its urban environment in a way that infrastructure has previously failed to do in this area, due to its position adjacent to the CBD. For this reason the design is concerned with the urban rejuvenation of the scarred landscape and a design strategy for the development of a contemporary digital infrastructural system, capable of not only being a non-evasive to the urban environment but also a catalyst in the creation of physical and digital place-making in the public realm.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2016

The design of an office and service facilities for the daily dispatch in East London

  • Authors: Van Heerden, Ilka
  • Date: 2016
  • Subjects: Office buildings -- Design and construction Interior architecture -- South Africa -- East London , Office layout -- Design Office buildings -- Design
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/18751 , vital:28719
  • Description: A lack of understanding of the multi-dimensional field of built environment heritage places the non-monumental fabric of historic city centres under great threat. This fabric plays a vital role in contributing to the collective significance and character of a place, despite its comparatively less remarkable nature. These buildings are often most susceptible to change, especially with regard to use. Responsible conservation and innovative design can allow buildings to undergo inevitable change, without compromising their heritage significance, despite the increasing demands of contemporary urban building typologies. Office typologies of the 21st century are particularly demanding with regard to efficiency, flexibility, sustainability and the need for a creative environment that promotes collaboration among knowledge workers. The document sets out a process by which to sensitively manage the juxtaposed relationship between historic buildings and a contemporary use, to generate an innovative design, resilient in its ability to retain the historic meaning of existing buildings.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2016
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