The everyday and the event : re-imagining the urban industrial event space of Pilditch stadium

Abstract

This dissertation follows two complementary areas of investigation. First, the study explores place making in the industrial area of Pretoria West. Second, investigating Pilditch Stadium and the adjacent Tshwane showgrounds, the project critiques and questions the mono-functional nature of the existing sports and event facilities. Pilditch stadium, located in Pretoria West, currently functions, on occasion, as a "transient space for sport fans and sportsmen/-women" (Gunter 2011:76). When the stadium is not used, it becomes a non-place and returns to an introverted and isolated state. Similarly the Tshwane Showgrounds, located next to Pilditch Stadium, only function as temporary event space. In an attempt to expose the usually introverted aspects of sporting events within Pilditch Stadium into the public terrain, the intention is to create places for everyday rituals that can be used by locals, as well as place for larger sporting events that will bring visitors from further afield. This proposal will attempt to introduce a new state; a permanent civic space accompanied by production spaces. The aim is to diversify and enhance the functions on site, in order to celebrate the 'everyday' and to re-imagine the site as a public place. Although this dissertation proposes an urban design framework for the Pretoria West precinct, the focus of this dissertation will be on the North-western edge of Pilditch stadium itself. The proposed building intervention will explore place making and event space within the stadium precinct.

Hierdie verhandeling volg twee kompliment?re areas van ondersoek. Eerstens, ondersoek die studie die plekskepping in die industri?le gebied van Pretoria. Tweedens word Pilditch Stadion en die aangrensende Tshwane Skougronde ondersoek. Die projek behels 'n kritiese bespreking en bevraagtekening van die enkelfunksionele aard van die huidige sport-en funksiefasiliteite. Pilditch Stadion, gele? in Pretoria-Wes, funksioneer tans op 'n per geleentheid basis as 'n "transient space for sport fans and sportmen/ women" (Gunter 2011:76). Wanneer die stadium nie ingebruik is nie, word dit 'n nie-ruimte en keer terug na 'n staat van introversie en isolasie. Die Tshwane Skougronde, langs Pilditch Stadion, funksioneer soortgelyk ook slegs as 'n tydelike funksieruimte. Daar word gepoog om die tans introverte aspekte van die sportfunksies binne die Pilditch Stadion aan die publieke terrein bloot te stel. Met die inagneming van hierdie poging, is die bedoeling om ruimtes te skep vir die alledaagse rituele van plaaslike inwoners asook 'n plek vir groter sportbyeenkomste wat besoekers van verder weg sal lok. Hierdie dissertasie poog om 'n nuwe werklikheid te skep; deur die voorstelling van 'n nuwe toestand van permanente burgerlike ruimtes wat vergesel word deur produksieruimtes. Die doelwit is om die funksies van die perseel te diversifiseer en te verbeter om sodoende die "elke dag" te vier en om die perseel te her-verbeel as 'n publieke terrein Alhoewel die dissertasie 'n stedelike ontwerp raamwerk vir die Pretoria-Wes buurt voorstel, is die fokus van die dissertasie die Noord-Westelike rand van die Pilditch Stadion self. Die voorgestelde gebou-ingryping sal die voorstel om spasie asook 'n funksieruimte binne die Stadion buurt te skep, verken.