Spaza shed : an active waiting station in the Pretoria CBD

Abstract

This dissertation is based on the premise that design, no matter how intricate or complex in nature, arises from something as basic and rudimentary as a ‘need’. It is a process of retrospection into how interior design answers the needs of human beings in the environment. The aim of the project is celebrate the act of waiting and the experience of the ‘every-day’ world. Interior design is used to acts as ‘mediator’ between people, their needs and the environment. The project sheds light on the ‘every-day' life world by investigating the activities and interactions of people within the context of a public transport facility. The ‘status-quo’ of such facilities in South Africa is questioned by investigating the extent to which interior design acts as mediator to facilitate the user. The main activities of ‘waiting’ and ‘foodvending’ form the basis of the design project. The proposed site (Spaza Shed) is located in Scheiding Street at the north-western edge of the Pretoria Station precinct in the central business district (CBD) of Pretoria. Originally used as an office building, it underwent radical alteration when it was converted into a bus terminal by Stauch and Vorster Architects in 1993. This typological change rendered the building isolated from the rest of the site context. In addition, following the upgrading of what is today the new bus station building (south of the building) the Spaza Shed was abandoned and used for storage. Today, the building houses several steel kiosks of which only a few are occupied by food-vendors who prepare and sell ‘traditional’ meals. Lack of facilities and systems mean that the building presents a health risk to both tenants and customers. The northern edge of the building consists of a series of small shops and inadequate benches where bus commuters clamour while waiting. The proximity of the Spaza Shed relative to the bus station provides the potential for the Spaza Shed to serve as an active waiting station for bus commuters as well as pedestrians moving past the building. The proposed program rests on the basis of mediation and interaction by connecting the Spaza Shed building with the bus station as well as the CBD. An active waiting area is proposed which will house seating (based on ergonomic principles and postures), public restroomand shower facilities, food kiosks, interior green spaces, free wifi access and interactive information stations. A proposal is made for a a play area and a day care center.