Germinate : Architecture of growth - a mixed-use development in Salvokop

Abstract

The author’s intent in this dissertation is to follow a design process in order to arrive at a cohesive architectural solution. This process includes the formation of guidelines as a response to the pressing issues of urbanisation, environmental sustainability, and the need for housing. In addition, a development framework for the entire area of Salvokop will be proposed together with supporting analysis which too will contribute to the establishment of these guidelines. Existing local and international theories have also been considered in order to strengthen the foundation of the argument as is appropriate for this level of post-graduate study.Once the guidelines had been established they were individually tested against a variety of existing local and international precedents. This testing validated the inclusion of each guideline in the entire process, thus justifying their application to the design.The core idea of the thesis (Germinate: Architecture of Growth) provides the creative impetus, and along with the site, the program (or function), and the client, act as a set of catalysts for the arrival at the architectural product.The product presents the practical element of the suggested solution, and concludes the exploration of the housing and wider land-use options with the proposal of a mixed-use housing development (applying the previously mentioned guidelines) to create a relevant intervention in the suburb of Salvokop.