Browsing by Author "Felix, Sandra"

Now showing 1 - 7 of 7
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    Architectural education @ different scales: Symposium 2016
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2018) Architectural Education Forum
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    Desire Lines: Addressing the Pedestrian and their Access to the Jukskei River Through Public Interest Design
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024-02) Smuts, Robyn; Felix, Sandra
    In this thesis, the propinquity of pockets defined between urban schemes of Dainfern and Diepsloot is explored. As well as the overlap zones of various networks of urban goers. The possibility of developing the prospective benefits of these pockets will be outlined through the principles of public interest design (PIB), placemaking, and adventure playgrounds. This reinforces the ideals of ‘rights to the city’ and creates a feeling of citizenship by focusing on the commonalities of the urban goers. To create a community between otherwise divided groups. The research methodology is site and context-centred, revealing where conflicts may lie, and opportunities sourced. Doing this through the exploration of the materiality and features of the Jukskei River site, and the desire line paths that weave through it. The proposed design develops a productive, shared space that instigates common curiosity and skill development through addressing the propinquity of various urban goers and utilizing the rubble and waste that has accumulated on the site.
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    Empowered for Employment: A Collaborative Learning and Skills Development Centre in Primrose
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024-02) Scremin, Michele; Felix, Sandra
    South Africa currently experiences the highest unemployment rate in the world. Due to the inequitable educational policies of Apartheid, large sectors of the population missed out on basic education and remain ill-equipped for the demands of the labour force. A culture of poverty, crime and social instability prevails. The solution lies in building a bridge to cross this gap and improve opportunities for learning and skills development of the youth and older adults. This will empower them for employment and improve their overall socio-conomic prospects. This study investigates the architectural narratives that are relevant to the design of a successful, collaborative adult learning centre that will serve the Makause informal settlement in Primrose. The research is directed through an explorative lens of the sustainability triangle, discussing the social, economic and environmental implications. Literature reviews of the multi-disciplinary theoretical foundations of adult learning give insight into the unique social, intellectual and physical requirements of adult learners while existential needs are influenced by phenomenological approaches. Appropriate designs of learning spaces are subsequently guided by informed decisions. Economic sustainability is reinforced with financial support of corporate stakeholders and the large waterbody on the site provides environmental opportunities that will benefit both the facility and the community it serves.
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    Exploring the Transformative Potential of Practice-based Design Research (PBDR) Methods in Architectural Design Pedagogy
    (Arts Research Africa, 2022-09-16) Felix, Sandra
    This paper discusses the application of practice-based design research (PbDR) methods in transforming the design practice of architecture students. It explores how reflection and diffraction, two PbDR methods, can be used to shape students’ design practice and challenge institutional biases. The author shares the experience of implementing these methods in a third-year architecture design studio at the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa. Changes were made to the curriculum, including the introduction of reflection and the use of diffractive methods, to foster personal and institutional transformation. The paper highlights the importance of collaborative dialogue, social reflection, and engaged pedagogy in this transformative process.
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    Foraging for Earth: resurrecting the heritage of ochre through land reparation of an iron ore mine
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023) O'Maker, Simone; Felix, Sandra
    This thesis aims to extract concepts, ideologies and theories viable to the rights of land. To rewrite a set of spatial relations that deeply grapple with the remnants of the Ngwenya mountain, in an iron-ore mine within the Kingdom of Eswatini, as an archaeological, cultural, ecological and geographical site. Foraging for Earth aims to mend its wounds that gives back the earth its dignity. It questions what architecture arises from seeing the land as a living being and to what extent it can form a relationship with a post-mined landscape. The concept of the design is derived from the site’s scar, a palimpsest of narratives rooted to memory, decay, healing and regeneration, and thereby interprets reparative strategies into a living archive that aims to reclaim what the landscape used to be. The program includes an earth reparation facility, a knowledge-sharing centre, an ochre sanctuary, craft studio and a sculpture garden. Constant visual and physical engagement encourages one to be aware of the land’s rich narrative.
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    Inheriting Resonance: Regenerating Indigenous African Musical Pedagogy Through an Education and Culture Centre in Newtown
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023-09) Bopela, Bonnie; Gwebu, Nomonde; Felix, Sandra
    Indigenous African Music requires spatial interventions to counter its erasure in a South African education system that has historically prioritised Western Art Music. This research analyses the relationship between African musical pedagogy and architecture. It aims to address the erasure of musical knowledge through an architectural design that evokes regeneration in an urban setting. Using Pallasmaa’s theory of phenomenology as a guiding focus, this research contextualises African music and how it manifests architecturally. The haptic and embodied architectural experiences defined by phenomenology are inherent within African music. By focusing on the musical bow instruments at the centre of many tribes across Southern Africa, the intrinsic qualities of these instruments are translated and abstracted to form an embodied architectural design intervention embued with an African musical identity. This research argues that phenomenological architectural design methodologies can regenerate, preserve and sustain indigenous musical knowledge(s) for future generations.
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    A PhD in Practice-based Design Research in Architecture at Wits University
    (Arts Research Africa (ARA), 2020-07) Felix, Sandra
    How does the new PhD in practice-based design research in the School of Architecture at Wits position itself? This paper is an account of the author-practitioner’s exposure to the long history of engagement with design research in the school through the example of architects such as Pancho Guedes and others.