The need for social integration of South African residents has been and continues to be a topic that is at the forefront of social development in the country. Durban is one of South Africa’s most diverse urban centres due to its heritage and historical background. This dissertation aims to explore the notion of cross cultural integration through a common medium that all kinds of people engage with on a daily basis, fashion (or clothing). Thus, this dissertation deals with the integration of cultures, fashion and architecture towards the creation of a proposed multi-purpose fashion centre for Durban. People represent themselves, their heritage, religion and personal attributes through clothing. From a politician or business man to a musician or a priest; clothing is a means of identifying the type of person one is. Clothing is therefore a representation of cultures. Similarities can be drawn with architecture in the way that it represents the period of a buildings creation or the aesthetical values and technological advancement of culturally contemporary societies. The fashion industry is also one that carries a large commercial weight in all economical sectors making it a relevant and practically sound industry to support. From the design to the manufacturing and distribution of clothing, fashion is a powerful global entity that extends beyond countries and cultures. The research undertaken will comprise of primary and secondary data. Primary research will formulated through the analysis of precedent and case studies together with interviews conducted with relevant people. Secondary research will be expressed in the form of a literature review containing theoretically applicable data. The conclusions and careful combination of these research methods will result in the establishment of recommendations that will dictate a suitable and relevant architectural response to the creation of a fashion centre. / Thesis (M.Arch.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2010.

Having been founded on the basis of trade through its port, Durban has progressively evolved and grown. However, as a result of the dependence on the port, a physical and intangible disconnection has developed between the city fabric and *water’s edge. This has manifested itself in the road and rail connection along the Margaret Mncadi Avenue (formerly the Victoria Embankment) creating a barrier between the city and its edge. As a result of this lack of integration, another issue has arisen: ‘lost space’. This space is undesirable and not conducive to a good city image for the central business district. It becomes apparent that with these factors, there is due cause for an investigation for revitalisation and as Richard Marshall suggests in ‘Waterfronts in Post Industrial Cities’, that using the highly visible urban environment of the waterfront as a tool for revitalisation of the area (Waterfront’s in Post Industrial Cities: 2001, 2) and, in the long term - the revitalisation of the city. Studies of Sydney’s Darling Harbour, Baltimore’s Inner Harbour and Seattle’s waterfront provide insight as to how these interventions uplifted and revitalised these respective cities. Key outcomes of these precedent studies include the mixed-use nature at the waterfront, connections to the city fabric, promenade, open space and a pavilion-like architecture. Most integral to the findings are the inclusion of all dynamics of people who inhabit the surrounding areas utilising the waterfront, making it both an attractive urban locality and a safe urban environment. The inclusion of the cross-section of city dwellers amounts in the mixed-use nature of the waterfront. It is therefore apparent that on the micro scale, the urban intervention should be of a mixed-use nature, further to which, the dire need for hotels in the region of the waterfront, as well as Durban as a whole, point to an intervention by virtue of a mixed-use hotel. From the investigation into the case studies, the design parameters further outline where the intervention needs to address the street edge and public realm, creating a precedent for waterfront design with the intention of the urban design linking the city and water’s edge. The end consequence of such design parameters would be to make the waterfront physically accessible for the purposes of leisure, recreation and commerce for tourists and Durbanites alike. *water’s edge specifically refers to the edge along Margaret Mncadi avenue strecthing between Wilson’s Wharf and the Bat centre, including the Yacht Basin. / Thesis (M.Arch.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2011.

The choices that we make daily, whether consciously or subconsciously, fosters an impression of our personality, mood, and lifestyle but more importantly what we transcend. Similarly our choice of wardrobe, our place of work, play or livelihood, is all fragments of our personality or the image we reflect. The perceived image acts as a visual communicator or a reflection of an identity. This dissertation explored the bridge between fashion and architecture as a visual communicator with the intention of creating a place of identity and expression for the society while understanding its symbiotic relationship. The research set out a framework to establish a platform for South African fashion designers by looking at architecture and its influences on fashion trends and the profound affect vogue has in architecture. The specific reference to case and precedent studies, while gathering information from users in the building, aided in informing the research and its application to the Institute and drawing a cognisant conclusion. The analysis of the case studies and literature review supported the evaluation of the purpose and necessity of a fashion design institute and its place of belonging in society. The architecture in cohesion with the theoretical framework had set up relevant principles which informed an appropriate response to establishing the identity of the city of Durban. The document outlined the relationship between architecture and fashion, while the design proposal augmented the response to its specific requirements. / Thesis (M.Arch.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2011.

South Africa as a developing country faces the challenges of providing a better life for all its citizens. The South African society is of two extremes, a small population of the wealthy and a large portion of the poor. In a growing economy there is an increase in the gap between rich and poor. The rich work to keep their wealth and the poor work but struggle to provide the bare necessities for their families. The challenges facing South Africa are of alleviating poverty, through providing adequate shelter, jobs, education and health for all South Africans. These are essential elements that are needed to create better communities and functional families. The solutions to these problems are sometimes not thought through and integrated with other sectors of society. This leads to quick fix solutions to deep routed problems which are isolated to the countries’ developments. South Africa has a deep history rooted in apartheid. Living within a post apartheid society South Africans have inherited a built environment that was aimed for specific segregated population groups. In a democratic society people have an opportunity of “equal sharing” within the economy. This leaves a large portion of the population struggling to rid themselves of poverty. These are the major issues which lead to committing crime and consequently imprisonment. This research study specifically deals with the correctional services institutions built form, rehabilitation and reintegration processes for the ex-prisoner. The built forms role in society can be far reaching and shape the life form of its inhabitants. It can facilitate a positive role in deterring the social ills of society. Presently the built environments cannot accommodate the growing and integrated population groups. The role of the correctional facilities is important in providing safe communities by removing those individuals harmful to society. A thorough approach to imprisonment, rehabilitation and social reintegration of ex-prisoners will assist in keeping safe communities. The understanding of prisons, their environment and the role of the built form with regards to social reintegration processes is important. This will assist in lessening the amount of recidivism of ex-prisoners once released. This research seeks to establish the role in which the built form can support rehabilitation for ex-prisoners in the view of reintegrating them back into society. / Thesis (M.Arch.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2010.

It would seem that it is in times of change and transition, when identities are being re-assessed or rewritten, that society looks to the past for guidance hoping to gain knowledge of how to “go on in the world”; it is a search for some meaningful, useable past that can be used as a springing point for present and future development. This dissertation forms a component of a similar search. It asks what the value of the past and cultural memory, a group phenomenon, is to present and future societies. Most importantly it investigates how architecture engages with cultural memory, asks what the nature of the engagement is and what the advantages of such an engagement are to people. The investigation tackles the issue of architecture as a form of non-verbal communication and investigates how that communication is carried out and in particular the modes it assumes when communicating cultural memory – it asks where cultural memory is located in architecture. The aim of this research is to formulate methods or professional attitudes which could obviate the role architecture could continue to play in the evolution of society. / Thesis (M.Arch.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2011.

This research is a study of traditional and modern architecture and how the aforementioned systems can and should integrate into Afro-centric architecture. The emphasis was on the architecture one tends to enjoy as an African, explored and juxtaposed against the thoughts and theoretical frameworks of culture sensitive architects worldwide. In this dissertation, the aspects of integrative theory were explored. Primary theories dealing with sustainability, New African Architecture, Indigenous Knowledge and Semiology were assessed as well. The differences between traditional Africa and modern adaptations, both positive and negative, were the limit of the research. In the dissertation certain key questions are posed to drive the inquiry of the document. The hypothesis is the conjecture that a connection between modernized architecture and traditional semiotics exists and can be cultivated to flourish, developing African architecture at all levels. This conjecture acts as a base for primary and secondary research. There are accounts listed in this dissertation of richly meaningful and sensitive traditional architecture that show a connection between American, Asian, African and European primitive building styles. These accounts show practices that have lasted near as long as the society that invented them. The gathered information shows that these examples have undergone little change over the years. The dissertation argues that the value these instances of traditional architectural meaning lessened over the years due to a shift in cultural paradigms. Further chapters in the study address cosmology, African attitudes to space, the reinvention of old materials and the manifestation and celebration of new tectonic relationships. Lessons collected on the above listed issues were related against findings from verbal interviews, written questionnaires and observations at the site of case studies. It is the researcher’s desire to explore the potential for an integrative developmental institute. To this end, an assessment has been done both in the form of precedent embedded in the text and Case Studies of relevant buildings that relate to the subject matter of the dissertation. The analysis of these assessments shows a manifested potential for the integration of traditional designs with modern building. / Thesis (M.Arch.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2011.

The modern world is rapidly advancing towards a technological age where every aspect of people’s lives revolves around scientific innovations and consumerism. These advancements have allowed architects to traverse many boundaries and the design of buildings almost seems limitless. However, this has also caused a shift in architecture to focus on the visual aspects of buildings. Most human beings are born with the use of all of their senses and it is through this that we use, understand and appreciate the built environment. However, if a building fails to entice one’s sense of touch or even smell, then architecture has lost its true meaning; that of designing for people and not solely for consumerism. More often than not, children are also avid users of buildings and architecture, which has lost its essence of appealing to all of our senses, also loses its fascination to children as well. Early childhood is the stage in life where people use their senses to the fullest capacity and it is through the perception of our surroundings that we learn, form meanings and identities. This dissertation thus aims to understand how the built environment psychologically affects children and how also, children perceive their surroundings. With that in mind, the purpose of this dissertation is twofold. Firstly, it sets out to investigate aspects of architectural psychology/perception and its relation to children and secondly, it will seek to understand how physical disabilities such as blindness and mobility impairments impact upon the design of buildings. This will set the brief for the design of an Educational Facility for Physically Disabled children, where all of these characteristics will be considered. Through this study, specific characteristics of architectural psychology will be investigated. These include the following: understanding the human senses, sensory emotions and experiences, the effects of colour and light, legibility, wayfinding, place identity related to personal identity and thus critical regionalism and phenomenology. Lastly, the importance of creating sustainable environments and the importance of nature to children will also be looked into, as well as creating safety for children in any type of environment. This research will study the multi – faceted aspects that comprise architecture for the disabled. Therefore, the research will encompass both primary and secondary sources, including relevant precedent and case studies. This research will ultimately provide a design brief, which will inform the eventual outcome for the design of an Educational Facility for Physically Disabled Children. / Thesis (M.Arch.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2011.

Today, our Western world faces a paradoxical situation - at the height of technological mastery, architects often misinterpret the body as an object of architecture, which considers the body an unresponsive physical entity, that does not existentially engage with space. This dissertation draws attention to a generalised problem within the realm of architectural practise; the presupposition that in our age of massive industrial production, surreal consumption, euphoric communication, and simulated digital environments is promoting objective and standardised thought patterns. Twenty-first century ideals are moving away from tangibility, physicality, and meaning towards an age of hyperreality and ethereal superficiality whereby our bodily senses are becoming objects of ceaseless commercial manipulation and exploitation. Pallasmaa (1993), a phenomenological theorist whose ideologies make a large contribution to the body of this dissertation, questions whether further technological advancements are pre-empting our growth – or our inhibition – perceptually. He believes we live our lives in constructed spaces, surrounded by physical objects. “[but], born into this world of ‘things,’ are we able to experience the phenomena of their interrelation, to derive joy from our perception” (Pallasmaa, 1993: 40). This study was, therefore, motivated by notions of the subjective body; the body that moves, the body that feels, and the body the senses - in order to explore dialogue in architecture which is often disregarded; concepts such as beauty, essences, embodiment, and relationship (to name a few). The research, therefore, introduces an architecture which transcends fixed notions of style and emerging technologies; it emphasises the lived experiential realm of the built environment which places the human body and its sensations at the forefront of the design conception. Through both qualitative and quantitative research, this study focuses on the need to encourage and illustrate the pursuit of design - not as a project, imposing preconceived ideas upon a situation, but as a process evolving from the inside – from movement, sensation, surrounding, and dialogue between body and architecture. The aim of the research was essentially to investigate the relationship between architecture and the senses. The emphasis was, therefore, placed on the human embodied experience of sensory space. Three parameters of the sensory body were identified, namely: the ‘flesh’ body which introduces the universal role of the traditional five sense modalities in architecture; the environmentally sited body, which broadens the scope and palette of the senses by introducing environmental variations; and the culturally sited body, which identifies the notion of a ‘sixth sense’ - that which is culturally conditioned in order to understand concepts of meaning, memory, and cultural identity. Overall this dissertation identifies an attitude to architecture that recognises the value of the human body not only as an inspiration for design, but as the very reason for architecture to exist at all. The principal conclusion of this dissertation realises that conceiving of the body as a subject of architecture helps architects to appreciate that they build primarily to stimulate the subjective body, and gives credence to corporeal architecture which intensifies spatial experiences. / Thesis (M.Arch.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2011.

The purpose of this dissertation is twofold. Firstly, it investigated the issues inferred by the topic, as how spirituality influences architecture, and secondly, through a critical analysis of a literature review with suitable precedents and case studies, it has set guidelines for the design a meditation centre for spiritual practices in Durban. The importance of such a centre was established by analyzing the architectural qualities that contribute in making a spiritual environment as stated in the hypothesis. Problems regarding the topic were identified as being the lack of architectural character and identity of spirituality. A sense of segregation was felt at various levels in socio-cultural groups through religion and race. Architecture is seen to be a medium to establish a dialogue among these groups by adhering to the need of self-education in terms of spiritual knowledge and practice. The key questions posed were the key elements to the secondary research that included an in-depth literature review based on appropriate architectural theories and concepts leading to a list of architectural design considerations. The theory of phenomenology was addressed by concentrating on the qualities that would evoke and invoke the essence of spirituality in an environment. The study attempts to understand the functional, physical and experiential qualities that contribute in making the spirit of a place. The connection between social and cultural groups was analysed under the theory of critical regionalism that also discussed the presence of nature, apart from culture, in creating an identity. The holistic nature of place and sacred architecture has been an essential area of research in an aim to discovering the metaphysical, symbolic and tactile qualities that enforce the pragmatic functional requirements of the centre. The need for an understanding of the science of meditation and self-education was beneficial in identifying the spatial, functional and spiritual requirements of the place. Symbolism, geometry, form and order informed the desired qualities that are driven by the cosmological science of Vastu Shastra in fuelling the space with positive energy. The relationship between man and his environment was further studied in terms of natural and sensory experiential qualities that would form a serene atmosphere. Precedent studies were carried out in different continents to extract similar aspects among various spiritual institutions. Primary research consisted of case studies where buildings were analyzed on specific criteria. Interviews were carried out with experienced members of the institutions for a better understanding of the spiritual practices conducted and the environment. The outcomes of these interviews were critically and theoretically analyzed. The data collected through interviews and empirical studies revealed some pragmatic requirements of a spiritual environment. The study concludes that man cannot be separated from his environment - he is part and parcel of it. The study concluded that architecture is instrumental in binding man with nature whilst the understanding of the inner self and his senses enables him to become aware of his surroundings. The spirit within connects him with the spirit of the place established when suitable architectural design principles are applied. A holistic environment is then created and is suitable for spiritual practice. Such a place evokes a sense of spirituality. / Thesis (M.Arch.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2011.

Architecture is intended to house, shelter and define the framework within which human activity occurs. It is far more than purely functional and its vast impact on the physical, emotional and psychological aspects of its users should not be ignored. Unfortunately, much contemporary architecture has become driven by external appearances, pushing the boundaries of technology and engaging with the eyes. The sensory aspects of architecture that enhance the body's experience, have largely been neglected, much to the detriment of the human experience, as it is through the body that one perceives, engages and enjoys architectural spaces. This dissertation looks into a more appropriate response to architectural design that understands the significance of the sensory experience of the human body. Benefits of such an architectural theory are considered and the practical application of this approach to architectural design is discussed. Furthermore, this exploration is used to analyse children's experience of the built environment. Basic research recognises the importance of the environment on children's development; however, this knowledge is seldom applied to the design of children's spaces. The research undertakes to more fully examine children's development and the physical, sensory and psychological manner in which children engage with the built environment. The findings include proposed design approaches that suitably respond to this. The research culminates in an analysis of the sensory approach to architecture in the local context of KwaZulu-Natal. Conclusions are drawn from the research carried out through interviews, a review of literature, and analysis of case studies and precedents studies. The outcome of this dissertation is a set of recommendations, principles and an understanding of the criteria necessary to inform the design of a Children's Centre and Community Facility in Umlazi. / Thesis (M.Arch.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2011.