It is becoming abundantly clear that solutions do not lie in eradicating the informal city, but in acknowledging the fact that ordinary people find their own solutions, however inadequate they may seem, with minimal intervention from the state. This type of self-delivery or popular urbanism is more often than not disregarded by professionals and the state thereby denying a constructive and possibly highly effective “symbiosis” between popular and formal delivery systems. Cities are neither instant nor static and many of the most vibrant urban environments grew into their current form over a protracted period of time. Cities are first and foremost constructed by ordinary people building within a framework of economic and legal control. It is here that the state or private developers assisted by professionals can enter into informed dialogue rather than telling people what is good for them.
26’10 south Architects has, in partnership with the Goethe-Institut, embarked on a research project to gather information in the form of mappings and drawings which capture the spatial and functional qualities of informal environments. The project is ongoing and creates the opportunity to look at, reflect on and (e)value(ate) solutions and strategies developed by ordinary citizens in making their own environments to meet their needs.
The information, produced so far, will be used to stimulate a public debate as well as a master class on the potential for informal architecture and its processes in the making of our cities.
Public Debate
6.30pm
23rd of April 2009
Goethe-Institut, 119 Jan Smuts Avenue, Parkwood / Johannesburg
26’10 south Architects will present their initial documentation of a specific street in Diepsloot (a predominantly informal settlement 40km north of Johannesburg’s city centre). Although beset by a lack of servicing, this trading and living strip, displays a hyper vibrancy common to many informal settlements. The actual residential or living conditions fabric has been carefully documented in order to reveal some of the economic and spatial decisions which have been made in the design and production of the structures. The purpose of the debate is to open up discussion about the informal city and its role in the future of our cities.
Master Class
8th (site visit), 9th – 10thMay 2009
GoetheonMain, City and Suburban Johannesburg
The debate will be carried forward in the form of a master class offering a chance to learn from, address and project the Diepsloot reality. The class will be guided by the research carried out by 26’10. Participants will be asked to each develop and follow though on one strategy projecting the vibrant reality of the street into the future. The anticipated result would be a positive composite vision for a South African living and trading street. The master class presents an intense bubble for experimentation, debate (and fun) in coming to grips with a prominent reality. The master class is open to a limited number of practitioners and students. Participants need to submit a written motivation to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by 27th April 2009.
The master class will be facilitated by Thorsten Deckler and Guy Trangoš of 26´10 south Architects.
Thorsten Deckler is a qualified architect, principle and co-founder of 26'10 south Architects and Sharpcity both based in Johannesburg. He spent one year at OMA in the Netherlands and worked two years for Peter Rich Architects in Johannesburg before starting 26’10 south Architects with partner Anne Graupner. Thorsten has taught part-time at Wits University and has lectured at various universities in South Africa, at the University of Cordoba in Argentina, the Architectural Association in London and Temple University, Philadelphia. In 2007 he received the 2nd prize for the Daimler Chrysler award for South African Architecture.
As part of sharpCITY, he has collaborated on exhibitions on Johannesburg and South Africa at the Venice Bienale (2000), Sao Paulo Bienal (2003, 2005) and the Architectural Centre Vienna (2004). He is co-author of “South African Architecture in a Landscape of Transition” with A. Graupner & H Rasmuss (Double Storey 2006).
Guy Trangoš is a recently qualified architect, currently employed at 26’10 South Architects. He co-founded both the ‘A Year Out’ photographic exhibition and the Tripod Architecture Student Photographic Competition, which he continues to manage. In 2005 he co-organised the successful national Architecture Student Congress at Wits. He also competed as a finalist in the national Corobrik South African Architectural Student of the Year Competition 2008.
Contact information:Dagmar WittekPublic RelationsGoethe-Institut Subsahara-Africa119 Jan Smuts Ave - Parkwood 2193 - South AfricaPrivate Bag X18 - Parkview 2122 - South AfricaCell: (+27 - 82) 769 3254Tel: (+27-11) 442 32 32Fax: (+27-11) 442 37 38This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.www.goethe.de/johannesburg