[Pilgrim]age repositioned : reinvigorating technological, historical and natural significances in the museum-town of Pilgrim’s Rest

Abstract

Some of the most unique and dilapidated places globally and nationally are small far- removed towns. The two distinct perspectives of decay and uniqueness prompted the dissertation analysing the small town condition. In this understanding the dissertation evolved to an investigation of the small quaint museum-town of Pilgrim’s Rest, Mpumalanga, South Africa. The town is unique in the fact that it stood the test of time. It is the only town in South Africa with national monument status and contains some remnants of our country’s first electrical technological advancements. On the other hand, an increase in decay in the infrastructure, buildings and poverty of the community affects external tourist activities.

In the main, the town has an unreliable mono-functional economy of mining and or tourism leaving the community and precious heritage significances endangered. The design investigation was aimed at addressing complex issues of the unreliable economy, inauthentic tourism, decayed well-being and endangered heritage. The establishment of a contextually sustainable economic model combines local skills development, local timber industry, informal trade and craft, productive landscape and tourism. The contextual method and approach in the making of architecture sets a precedent in how architecture can contribute to the reinvention, upliftment and or restoration of unique and dilapidated towns globally.