Liste des projets

Carin Smuts

  • Site : www.csstudio.co.za
  • Adresse : 64 Ocean View Drive, Sea Point 8005 Cape Town
Carin Smuts started working with impoverished marginalized communities of South Africa and Namibia since 1982 when 8 migrant workers from Lingelihle, Cradock, Eastern Cape South Africa approached The University of Cape Town School of Architecture for assistance to obtain land and build a skills training workshop. Carin, a third year architectural student took up the task. This was at the height of Apartheid and many challenges had to be faced. The state of emergency made meetings and planning building projects an illegal activity and yet the planning and building went on. In 1989 with Urs Schmid CS Studio Architects were established. For 30 years the practice has produced hundreds of public buildings in disadvantaged contexts both urban and rural. The main focus is to create better urban space. Most of the black and coloured townships of South Africa consisted only of hostels, housing and informal structures. The public realm and urban spaces was severely lacking. The public spaces were the churches, mosques, temples and some small shops, with most of the beer halls being burnt out or standing empty. The way Carin Smuts works is through participation and collaboration. The process starts as a consultative process involving many stakeholders. Many months go by where a clear understanding of the future users' needs are explored in a number of participatory and capacity building workshops. The process can also include theatre, poetry sessions, counselling etc... whatever the project dictates. Design workshops produce drawings and models and give the future user a chance to give meaningful input. During construction local contractors, sub-contractors and artists are involved on the building site. Many local economic opportunities are created. Locally available materials are used. When there are existing structures material is recycled and re-used. Buildings are simple boxes juxtaposed to create more complex solutions. Outside in-between spaces become as important as the enclosed indoor spaces. The buildings are multi-functional and all share the same characteristics as they are a product of the people who designed them through an interactive process. With extremely limited budgets, CS Studio has created many vibrant urban and public spaces to improve the quality of life for many people.

Delft Symphony Way: New Community Day Centre

COMPLETED 2015

BACKGROUND

The site is located in Delft near Cape Town International Airport in a new low cost housing area on the corner of Silver Sands Main road and Outenikwa road. Delft is an extremely poor area with small houses, RDP housing and informal settlements.

DESIGN

The design developed from the simple idea of creating a health village. Fabritsio Carola’s Moritania Hospital was one of the main inspirations for the design. Interactive spaces form part of the healing process while the idea of the family and extended family visiting the health facility is also an important consideration.
The main entrance is on the South side onto Silversands Main Road. The pre-waiting area is an undercover space that gives protection against the elements due to the long hours people have to stand and wait. The front facade is decorated with ceramic murals.

Mbuyiseli Somdaka and Xolani Badli, experienced mosaic artist from Delft, trained 16 youth to do the beautiful mosaics throughout the project. The materials used are locally sourced face brick and aluminium to allow for low maintenance in future. Colourful plastered highlights and mosaic brighten up the exterior and interior. A high percentage of local skilled and unskilled labour was employed.

The tall volume of the main waiting area gives a sense of orientation towards all the specialised units of the clinic. To the left will is the Infectious Disease Unit with its own sub-waiting area while the Records and Pharmacy is clearly visible on the right. North of the main waiting area is a sunny courtyard around which all the units are loosely arranged.
The prep area receives patients off the main waiting area and prepares them for the specialised units via the main corridor. To the left of the passage is radiology, followed by acute, chronic disease, re-hab and mother and child units. The staff block is connected to the secure staff parking and separate entrance area on the opposite end.

The individual separated building units create external spaces ‘in between’ which can be occupied for other recreational and medical purposes such as rehabilitation exercises. It also allows for all rooms to have natural light and ventilation.

The building is an urban landmark while relating to the urban scale of the area. The front of the clinic designed with ramps and walls, became an attractive public space, which are non-existent in this area.

Illustration