Knowledge Management for the South African Architectural Profession, based on a Local Case Study

Abstract

Traditionally, architectural archives serve as a repository of knowledge which supports architects in developing a frame of reference. They also have the function of preservation. In the developed world, these archives of architectural knowledge have been established for public use, whilst the developing world generally lacks these repositories. With South Africa being a developing country in a third world, its history of architecture is scarcely documented. Therefore, core knowledge-assets for the profession in this part of the world have been neglected. This paper explores the challenges facing Architecture libraries, professionally and academically, in maintaining service excellence considering the special user needs of architects and planners, in the context of digitisation.