Evolution of the boundary : theories of threshold, and stereotomic design, and their manifestation in the work of Henri Comrie

Abstract

The design of boundaries in architecture has a rich history that provides intellectual nourishment for a reconsideration of the relationships between city and nature, city street and building and the transitions within buildings. This article will describe the condition of boundary in place-making and architecture by sketching a brief theoretical and philosophical background of approaches to its formation. Following this, the formal expression and articulation of boundaries in urban and architectural settings will be outlined. Then, through the description of selected examples of the urban and architecture outputs of the award-winning South African architect and urban designer, Henri Comrie, real-world examples of boundaries will be contextualised and described.

Die ontwerp van grense in argitektuur het ‘n ryk geskiedenis wat intellektuele versterking bied vir ‘n heroorweging van die verhoudings tussen stad en natuur, stadstraat en gebou en die oorgange binne geboue. Hierdie artikel sal die toestand van grens in plekskepping en argitektuur beskryf deur ‘n kort teoretiese en filosofiese agtergrond van benaderings tot die formasie daarvan te skets. Hierna sal die formele uitdrukking en artikulasie van grense in stedelike en argitektoniese omgewings uiteengesit word. Dan, deur die beskrywing van geselekteerde voorbeelde van die stedelike en argitektuuruitsette van die bekroonde Suid-Afrikaanse argitek en stedelike ontwerper Henri Comrie, sal werklike voorbeelde van grense gekontekstualiseer en beskryf word.