Project Location: Pretoria 

Project Focus Area: Inhabitation of Space

Supervisor(s): Dr Anika van Aswegen 

Project Description: 

In the heart of Pretoria lies an architectural endeavour that seeks to unravel the threads of division and reimagine the urban fabric surrounding the State Theatre. This design intervention, inspired by the dynamic rituals of informal trading scenarios and the symbolic Apies River, unfolds in three transformative phases.

Phase 1: Reimagining the Fence Condition

Initiating the metamorphosis, this phase dismantles barriers erected for safety, aiming to reintegrate the State Theatre into the bustling tapestry of informal trade. A journey guided by African Indigenous Knowledge Systems unfolds, weaving the value of creation, craftsmanship, and a vital connection to nature into the design's essence. The approach becomes a testament to embracing local techniques and materials deeply rooted in the land.

Phase 2: Fully Pedestrianizing Church Street

Continuing the narrative, the intervention takes to Church Street, stripping it of vehicular dominance to birth a vibrant pedestrian boulevard. Interweaving formal and informal elements, this phase transforms the street into an inclusive space, inviting city dwellers from all walks of life. Seating areas, greenery, and playful design elements enliven the thoroughfare, fostering a sense of community.

Phase 3: Restoration and Maintenance of Church Square

The final phase pays homage to history, focusing on the restoration of Church Square, once Market Square. Beyond being a tourist attraction, this phase aspires to resurrect the square's cultural significance, honoring the city's history, cultural heritage, and contemporary urban life.

With much focus on phase one, this phase dissects de Certeau's concept of 'tactics,' the intervention champions the creative and resilient practices of informal traders navigating formal urban planning strategies. It's a delicate dance between the systematic and the subversive, reflecting the intricate socio-political and cultural dynamics that shape African cities.

Central to the design is an exploration of the rituals ingrained in informal trading scenarios. The intervention becomes a stage for the daily performances of traders, where mundane routines transcend economic transactions to shape a sense of familiarity, community, and belonging. From the bustling Fresh Produce Market Hall to the Cultural Hub, each space is a choreography of rituals that shape the urban interior.

The design speaks through its materiality, offering a blend of permanence and adaptability. Symbolic brick bonds express local cultural references, while glulam canopies, beyond their practical functions, become cultural storytellers. Safety is addressed through monumental boundary walls and dynamic spatial transformations, ensuring both openness and security.

At its core, the intervention is a celebration of urban connection. By breaking down physical barriers and fostering inclusivity, it invites citizens to engage with the city's narrative actively. The undulating architecture responds to the urban condition, creating spatial zones that enhance passive surveillance and visibility.

This design intervention, beyond architectural boundaries, envisions a harmonious coexistence of formal and informal urban elements. It recognizes the vibrancy of informal sectors, weaving them into the city's fabric. As the threads of the urban tapestry intertwine, the intervention emerges not just as a physical transformation but as a hopeful vision for a city where every individual, trader, buyer, or passer-by, plays a vital role in the everyday theatre of urban life.