This thesis deals with the creation of holistically healthy environments in an urban context. The Pretoria Central Business District (CBD) is the focus area, as this is where many people spend their working hours in offices. This thesis proposes a vitality centre where healthy environments and healthy lifestyles are made available to these workers. This should become an urban oasis which caters to the vitality of the mind, body and spirit. The hypothesis argues that the problems associated with unhealthy environments in buildings can be alleviated through the connection of people with nature and its forces. The focus is not only on the physical, but also on the metaphysical quality of architecture and its influence on the user. The four elements of nature (light, air, earth and water) are invited into the building. Their associative qualities are exploited to create an awareness of the presence of nature, even in an urban context. On a physical level, this association implies the use of natural light, natural ventilation and contact with nature in the built environment. / Dissertation (MArch(Prof))--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Architecture / unrestricted

Man’s relationship with architecture is not intellectual, but associated with our emotive subconscious. The quality of space, as defined by architecture, is personified and evaluated through the experience it orchestrates. The investigation aims to uncover the process of choreographing emotive experiences through design. These pertain to the writings of renowned Swiss architect, Peter Zumthor, who manages to design evocative spaces, architecture that embodies definite atmospheres. Zumthor explains in his manifesto Thinking Architecture, that atmosphere is measured through man’s emotional sensibility, rendering experience and emotion as tools for designing spatial quality. Architecture is not abstract, but concrete matter, an assemblage of quantifiable substance, and thus, the architectural palette exists within emotion. Beyond its physicality, architectural elements embody sensory potential in its application, arrangements and composition. The architect orchestrates the infinite architectural palette to provoke the senses, which defines experience. Finnish architect, Juhani Pallasmaa, better known for his writings on architecture and the senses, writes extensively on the non-cognitive realm of architecture as experienced, not only through the traditional senses measured by sight, sound, smell, touch and taste, but includes the human body in its dimensionality as it relates to its surroundings, ergonomically and spatially. The architectural premise lead to an investigation into the lost landscape of Pretoria’s Central Business district, where spatial and material degradation have abandoned various sites in hostility. The forsaken lot on the corner of Pretorius and Sophie de Bruyn Streets, currently offers its users, the South African National Police Service (SAPS), nothing more than a parking space. The vastness of emotion in which the architectural palette exists, focused the exploration on a specific emotion as derived from the users of the identified, abandoned lot. As a result of a media-generated perception, members of the SAPS have been alienated by society. Alienation, translated into architectural terms, means ‘to be outside’. The architecture is informed by the contrasting experiential conditions of alienation and belonging, outside and inside, danger and safety, chaos and cosmos. The architecture becomes the transitional medium. The Inner City Police Retreat fills the empirical void in a series of orchestrated experiences, in an attempt to inspire and transform the day to day existence of its users. / Dissertation MArch(Prof)--University of Pretoria, 2014. / Architecture / MArch(Prof) / Unrestricted

This dissertation investigates the significant problem of abandoned buildings in the Pretoria Central Business District and, to a lesser extent, the lack of public exposure to art, architecture and design. For the purpose of this study, empty spaces in the City Centre and Die Meent buildings are examined. A new system for their reuse is developed and a gallery for the exhibition of multiple art forms is incorporated therein, as an example of how the aforementioned system can be appropriated. These problems, especially the first, is not restricted to the local urban context. The investigation is thus divided into two phases: the first provides a solution to the challenge of reusing abandoned spaces in buildings; the second phase, as a proposed future exploration of this system, provides a solution to the need for a multi-purpose exhibition area. City Property is the proposed client for the first phase, while MINI Space is the proposed client for the second phase. Empty buildings are a growing concern worldwide, due to concerns for sustainable development and decreasing greenfield sites. This dissertation proposes that the term ‘site’ should be redefined, using the x-y-z axes as a base. By applying the theory of Deconstruction, it is argued that ‘ground zero’ be shifted to a higher level, to include not only the x- and y-axis, but also the z-axis, leading to the creation of truly three-dimensional cities. This project aims to advance a new way of looking at the city and promoting different forms of art. Culturally rich spaces within vibrant cities with multiple levels of living, working and playing, aid the creation of new communities and unique spaces for each individual. Copyright / Dissertation (MArch(Prof))--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Architecture / unrestricted

There is a gap in the local tourist market for value-added goods. Curios are available in abundance at the National Zoological Gardens nearby the Panagos Building, but these are of an inferior quality and are unsuitable for export. A craft node at which the local and tourist communities intersect creates an ideal platform for related activities through which these communities can support each other. At this node, training of local talent for the production and trade of value-added craft products will take place. These activities must be undertaken at the same locale so that each activity can respond quickly to the other activities.Please note that the different chapters are not bookmarked and therefore not linked. / Dissertation (MInt(Prof))--University of Pretoria, 2008. / Architecture / unrestricted

Due to considerations for sustainable development and urban sprawl we have to address the growing concern of abandoned buildings and cities. Underutilised buildings and urban spaces are the development sites of the future. This dissertation investigates the problems of underutilised buildings and cities, and by doing so aims to contribute to a good urban environment, “the good city” according to Stern (2003: 21). As a further challenge, many of these underutilised buildings were designed with abrupt thresholds and inward orientation, instantly divorcing them from the public domain. Therefore not only is the re-use of an existing building explored, but is the extension of the public realm into the building also investigated. The project addresses this extension of the public realm through layering as a tool and a design generator. The layered tectonic is applied through spatial, componential, material and transitional layering. The building chosen for the dissertation is the old Pretoria Central Fire Station. The new proposed programme is a Centre for Architecture. Site information: Programme: Centre for Architecture: includes exhibition space, auditorium, conference facilities, offices, library, archives, bookshop and restaurant. Site description: Old Pretoria Central Fire Station, 1912 Client: Client body consisting of SACAP and voluntary associations within the architecture profession Users: Professionals and students in the Built Environment industry, tourists and the general public Site Location: Erven 913 + 914 Address: 449 Bosman Street, c/o Minnaar Street, Pretoria CBD, South Africa Between African Window and City Hall GPS coordinates: 25°45’12.99”S, 28°11’8.61”E / Dissertation (MArch(Prof))--University of Pretoria, 2011. / Architecture / unrestricted

This dissertation investigates the accessibility of public architecture. The aim is to illustrate the relevance of accessibility by establishing a theoretical premise and applying it in design. The theoretical analysis defines inclusive design and examines the relevance of the topic within the South African context. It explores written theory on the topic and how it has evolved. The aim is to understand the implications of an inclusive design approach in architecture and to assess the inclusivity of recently completed buildings. The design investigation explores an exclusively inclusive approach in the design of a public building. The intent is to create a building that is inclusive; one that can be used by all. Currently, there is a lack of accessible public facilities in the Burger’s Park precinct, thus the Burger’s Park Opportunity Platform is proposed. The Opportunity Platform is a building that provides and facilitates the necessary resources for a community to prosper. It facilitates much needed community programmes and facilities such as literacy and skills training and access to books, the Internet and other media. The public nature of this building type implies that it is to be used by the entire community, which provides appropriate conditions to explore inclusive design in Pretoria. The study, through theoretical, empirical and contextual enquiry, provides an understanding of the principles pertaining to inclusive design and how it manifests in architecture. / Dissertation (MArch(Prof))--University of Pretoria, 2011. / Architecture / unrestricted

This thesis explores the role of water in urban landscape architectural design and identifies strategies that will conserve and optimise the use of water in the built environment. This is done through selecting a site in Pretoria at the intersection of the Apies River channel and Nelson Mandela drive and designing an Urban Water Centre that explores; exposes and celebrates water in the urban context. The design creates opportunities for kids from nearby schools, students from TUT, residents from the area, pedestrians and tourists to interact on a physical and emotional level with water. Educating people about water conservation is an important aspect of the project and raising awareness is the first step. The design addresses the city-wide need for green public open space and provides opportunities for urbanites to connect with water and the Apies River. This connection is established through the facilitation of significant encounters with water. These include physical contact play with water, creating interest and anticipation around rain events and through translating some of the associated attributes of water into a solid surface. The design approach is influenced by studying the Sustainable Sites Initiative’s ecosystem service approach. Green Star SA is investigated for a possible application to landscape architecture. The findings from the Sustainable Sites Initiative are enhanced by General Systems Theory and then used to generate systems that supports the desired experiences. The first and largest system lifts some of the base flow from the Apies River channel with a waterwheel, where after it is purified in a constructed wetland and a chlorine-free disinfecting process. The clean water is then displayed in a play pond that partially drains through a gravity driven vortex generator. The vortex generator aerates and cools down the water while adding movement; sound and a sense of the passage of time to the human experience. From the vortex, water flows into a constructed pebble lined stream that children can play in and experience stream ecology. The pebbles and vegetation refers back to the Apies River before it was lined with concrete. From the stream the water rejoins the channel. The second on site water system addresses rainwater. The design creates anticipation and curiosity associated with rain events. Rainwater from one of the on site buildings are harvested and displayed in a rain-meter garden. A first-flush system intercepts the first dirty water where after it drizzles down a rain-curtain into a rain-meter system. The rain-meters are large bullet resistant glass tank-like containers, calibrated to show how many millimetres of rain have fallen during the shower. A rain-sensor drains the water into a temporary wetland and lets in percolate into the underground storage tank. The third on site water system treats grey water from buildings through a stepped constructed wetland and displays the cleaned water in a jubilant motion activated display at one of the pedestrian entrances. Water from the rain-meter system; the grey water system and harvested surface runoff all contributes towards meeting the water needs of irrigation and buildings. Other eco-system service strategies identified in the study are applied in the design. These include the protection of on site biomass along with the introduction of region appropriate planting; design for- and use of waste reducing materials and the integration of on site systems to enrich the experience. Copyright / Dissertation (ML(Prof))--University of Pretoria, 2009. / Architecture / unrestricted

The project originated as a means to find a solution to the lack of legibility that the National Zoological Gardens’ entrance expresses where it is situated on the Northern gateway into the Pretoria CBD. In order to develop an appropriate responsive architecture, the proposed solution aims to find the requirements for a successful public interface for tourist attractions and the local community. Attention will also be given to the transitional spaces between the natural environments of the Zoo and the city. The aim firstly is to steer away from mono-functional urban spaces and tourist attractions hidden behind built barrier, in order to ensure that the architecture will be an asset to tourism and the general public. / Dissertation (MArch(Prof))--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Architecture / unrestricted

NDLTD Innovative ETD Award 2005. The design of a multi-functional building entails the synthesis of multiple systems and networks. The needs of multiple clients must be effectively overlaid to create a build able, contextually suitable and aesthetically pleasing architectural solution. The proposed building is a public, urban building. City buildings consist of spaces that are essentially part of the city, simultaneously dependant on the whole and separated by building lines and security systems. The gradation of space from public to private exists everywhere. The focus of the design is on the creation of place in the Pretoria CBD. The scheme is integrated into its surroundings, and functions as a system in itself. The proposed multi-use building will be set on a currently built up site in the Pretoria CBD, on the c/o Paul Kruger and Schoeman Streets, one city block from Church Square. Building functions include retail, residential, a satellite gallery for the Tshwane Art Museum, and new offices and facilities for Talking Beads, a producer Arts and Crafts. / Dissertation (MArch (Prof))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Architecture / unrestricted

This thesis explores an alternative method of making Architecture based on ideas presented by Bruno Latour in “Give me a gun and I will make all buildings move” and concepts discussed by Peter Eisenman within “Diagram: An Original Scene of Writing.” The static nature of representation within Euclidian Space requires a re-evaluation of the generative qualities inherent within diagrams. Managed through an identified mechanism, the thesis investigates the excavation of potential within Pretoria Central’s lost spaces by generating programme, response and resolution from elements inherent in the diachronic context. / Dissertation MArch(Prof)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / Architecture / MArch(Prof) / Unrestricted