Generate: city stimulation through cultural intervention
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Date
2012-07-09
Authors
Lauder, Janet Alexandra
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Abstract
The idea of employing culture as a driver in the process of urban generation has
become a well used tool in promoting diversity and vibrancy within urban fabrics. In a
South African context, Johannesburg's recent past has displayed disinvestment in
the city core in favour of commercial growth within suburbia. A leading example being
the commercially driven node of Sandton which lacks adequate public investment,
resulting in a tedious and repetitive context it is here that this thesis is located. In
response to this condition, the proposed scheme aims to improve the quality of
Sandton's public realm by accommodating a dance company and performance
spaces within Mushroom Farm Park, In doing so, the underutilised park site is
invigorated and Sandton's wider context is provided with a much needed public
amenity that increases awareness of the performing arts and enriches the
surrounding environment.
This document begins with a theoretical enquiry into city development and urban
sprawl advancement, concluding with the advantages of using culturally driven
activities as a means for diversifying the urban fabric of edge cities. Following this
enquiry is an analysis of Mushroom Farm Park and its surroundings, the results of
which have formulated a set of design informants. An explanation of the program's
conception ensues and extends to the introduction of the sites intended, primary user
Mzansi Productions. Having established the program, there is an exploration into the
foremost design drivers in creating this architecture followed, finally, by an
explanation of the building's rationale.