Thesis (M.Arch. (Professional))--University of the Witwatersrand, Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, 2016. / Humans and animals have a diverse and complex set of relationships but their
inextricable narratives of development leave them interdependent. By understanding
the human fascination with other living beings, in conjunction with our responsibility of
preserving the planet, the importance of human-animal interaction becomes apparent.
Acknowledgment that understanding the role played by animals in society, ancient
and modern, goes far beyond biology, introduces ideas of culture, association and
imagination as key contributing elements to the forging of meaningful relationships
between man and beast. Zoological gardens, as an architectural typology, are a
fundamental platform for human-animal interaction and an important link in the
chain of conservation. Their development over time illustrates a refl ection of human
thought and highlights the typology as a powerful tool in the establishment of an
environmental conscience. A redefi nition of the role of the modern zoo causes us
to critically analyse the experience of animal spectatorship; learning about animals
aids us in learning about ourselves. Understanding the complexities of both people
and animals can expose common ground, through which we can educate ourselves
and improve our abilities to create a better environment for animals, and in so doing
perhaps also for ourselves.
This thesis proposes a redevelopment scheme for a portion of Johannesburg
Zoo; creating a transition from the traditional colonial zoological garden model to
an urban ecological destination, in line with contemporary conservational thought.
Through understanding the historical, topographical and functional layering that
conglomerates the existing Johannesburg Zoo, the design prioritises a sensory
architectural experience: liberating zoo animals from cages and altering the physical
and psychological viewpoint of the spectator. / EM2017
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:wits/oai:wiredspace.wits.ac.za:10539/22006 |
| Date | January 2016 |
| Creators | Allcock, Bronwyn Anne |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | Online resource (pages 165), application/pdf, application/pdf, application/pdf |
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