Community
OML 310: Human Settlements and Urbanism
Juanique Horak u11098440
Guga S 'thebe Arts and Culture Centre in Langa by Carin Smuts
Architect:
Carin Smuts
Architectural Firm:
CS STUDIO
Year of implementation:
1996-1999
Client/ Organisation:
Langa community, Western Cape
Reason:
Community empowerment
What is the balance of power?
During 1996 the Langa Development Forum asked CS Studio to work on a Cultural Centre to create a space for community and culture upliftment. Firstly, house hold surveys were undertaken to establish the needs of the community, workshops were then held with various local organisations of Langa, this was taken to large public meetings until a project committee was elected, who worked with CS Studio on the project.
In 1996, an overall vision and fundraising document was drawn up and a fundraising initiative was embarked on by Nomthunzi Jacobs, representing the Langa Development Forum, Arts and Culture Environment and Tourism Sub-Committee. Funds were secured for the first phase from the Department of Environment and Cultural Affairs, Western Cape and the Department of Social Services, Western Cape. The Funds were donated and the architects worked with the community, therefore a fairly balanced power distribution was created.
What position do the architects assume? (Initiator/facilitator/service provider)
The architect played a role as the service provider and facilitator of the project, while also involving the community in the project. A major contributing factor of this project was based around the representation of a significant culture there past present and future, therefore the project was based on the thorough analysis and respect of Langa’s entire context (physical, historical, social, political, economic etc.). The Arts and Culture Centre is a platform for Langa’s people to take on new opportunities, get involved in their community and learn new skills whilst cherishing their culture.
Critical position in
Juanique Horak u11098440
Guga S 'thebe Arts and Culture Centre in Langa by Carin Smuts
Architect:
Carin Smuts
Architectural Firm:
CS STUDIO
Year of implementation:
1996-1999
Client/ Organisation:
Langa community, Western Cape
Reason:
Community empowerment
What is the balance of power?
During 1996 the Langa Development Forum asked CS Studio to work on a Cultural Centre to create a space for community and culture upliftment. Firstly, house hold surveys were undertaken to establish the needs of the community, workshops were then held with various local organisations of Langa, this was taken to large public meetings until a project committee was elected, who worked with CS Studio on the project.
In 1996, an overall vision and fundraising document was drawn up and a fundraising initiative was embarked on by Nomthunzi Jacobs, representing the Langa Development Forum, Arts and Culture Environment and Tourism Sub-Committee. Funds were secured for the first phase from the Department of Environment and Cultural Affairs, Western Cape and the Department of Social Services, Western Cape. The Funds were donated and the architects worked with the community, therefore a fairly balanced power distribution was created.
What position do the architects assume? (Initiator/facilitator/service provider)
The architect played a role as the service provider and facilitator of the project, while also involving the community in the project. A major contributing factor of this project was based around the representation of a significant culture there past present and future, therefore the project was based on the thorough analysis and respect of Langa’s entire context (physical, historical, social, political, economic etc.). The Arts and Culture Centre is a platform for Langa’s people to take on new opportunities, get involved in their community and learn new skills whilst cherishing their culture.
Critical position in
References: Arts and Culture centre. (1999). Retrieved April 2013, from csstudio: www.csstudio.co.za/Arts_Culture.htm Viena: Lecture2. (2010). Retrieved April 2013, from csstudio: http://csstudio.co.za/PDF/Viena%20Lecture2.pdf Smuts, C. (2001, June). GUGA S 'THEBE ARTS, CULTURE AND HERITAGE VILLAGE. Workshop Presentation - Design Education Forum of Southern AFrica. Smuts-Carin. (n.d.). Retrieved April 2013, from ESA-Paris.: http://www.esa-paris.fr/Smuts-Carin.html?lang=fr