Browsing by Author "Yavo, Phillippe."

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Art as a tool for the creation of built form towards a design of a music centre in Durban.
(2014) Naidoo, Bradley Mason.; Yavo, Phillippe.
“…Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn’t serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It is not in some of us: it’s in everyone. And when we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” - Marianne Williamson, “A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of a course in Miracles”, 1992. Every individual has been gifted with potential that is often never realised or appreciated by society because of numerous socio-economic reasons. Within the South African context, we see so much potential. South Africa has rhythm, it has soul. The sound of the African drums, the colour and flair of Indian dance, ballet, musical theatre and art to name a few, are all intricately woven into the South African culture. Imagine……….. A place, a single building, proposed for Durban that would house music and the arts, from tutoring to performances aiming to bridge the divide between its diverse cultures and promote and develop skill in the most powerful, multi-functional tool...Music. This study serves as a means of investigating the interconnected relationships between music, art and architecture respectively and aims to provide valuable information regarding music and its role in celebrating a progressive society.
Biophilia in architectural design : a healthcare and community centre for Mpumalanga, Durban.
(2011) Sanders, Adrian Dean.; Yavo, Phillippe.
Biophilia is the love of nature and all living things and is the theory that forms the basis of ‘biophilic’ design. Biophilic design recognizes the positive experience of natural systems and processes in our buildings as critical to human health, performance, and well-being. Healthy living is a primary need for society and designing with nature could provide for these needs in architectural environments. Employing such techniques of design could improve the experiential quality of architectural space. The quality of healthcare environments and similar public places could become more accommodating for local communities. There would be a need for adapting these ideas to fit local conditions but through research initiatives, designers can understand what would be most suitable considering the circumstances of a region. If there is a marked effect of natural environments on the wellbeing of citizens, then biophilia can initiate a better approach in local architectural design for society.
The influence of Protestant doctrine on the development of church architecture.
(2011) Maduna, Thandeka.; Kucukkaya, Ayse Gulcin.; Yavo, Phillippe.; Adebayo, Ambrose Adeyemi.
Church architecture has evolved dramatically since its inception. It has changed shape, size and form, from simple houses converted to meeting places, to grand Gothic cathedrals, to high-tech auditoriums and modern structures of various shapes and sizes. Throughout the ages there have been many factors that have played a role in this evolution. Not only religious factors, but also economic, social, and political factors, have all contributed to the dynamic changes in church architecture. This thesis focuses on the manner in which the Protestant doctrine has influenced the development of church architecture. This research explores the validity of the idea that spaces and forms of architecture are influenced by the values and beliefs of the people they belong to. There are many movements within Protestantism; because of this there are a variety of architectural forms for their buildings, therefore there is no particular Protestant church architectural style. This study determines how different doctrines and values have influenced church design throughout the ages, through examining various examples of religious architecture, focusing on the doctrinal issues that have played a major part in the design. This is not a comprehensive survey of the history of church architecture. Theoretical discussions on place, meaning and the concept of function are directly relevant this study, which seeks to find ordering principles that inform the creation of functional and meaningful places for people. The main principle that arose from this research is that people, their beliefs and values, and the site need to be the primary design generators in the design of a church complex as they are in any other building.
The influence of traditional architecture on contemporary culture : a proposed Hindu cultural centre for Durban.
(2011) Gopidayal, Nirupa.; Yavo, Phillippe.
Religion is still a large driving force behind the manner in which people live today. Religion, especially the predominant practices that date back to our ancestors, is a driving force behind culture. It creates traditions that have been passed onto us consciously and subconsciously. Norms such as customs, rituals, routines and patterns are subconsciously inherited, contributing to the culture of a community. Together, religion and tradition influence and provide a base for culture. These two factors, when combined, create a structure in our lives which contributes towards finding meaning within our lives. A society with a strong sense of belonging has an affirmed identity in the urban environment, contributing to the sense of place found in the urban fabric by attaching meaning and memory. Thus an environment is created that combats the rapid pace movement of globalization.
Integrated learning spaces in adult education : a case of KwaZulu-Natal.
(2010) Salvesen, Matthew Sven.; Yavo, Phillippe.
In February 2010, finance minister Pravin Gordhan said: "None of us can rest or sleep peacefully until every South African can say: I can see a better future, I can find a job. I can learn a skill. Hard work will enable me and my family to have shelter and food. If my children work hard at school and college, they will have a better future and a thousand opportunities. Our people want action on jobs, growth and poverty. We must build a new common purpose so that we can use all of our talents, skills and resources to tackle our economic and social challenges.” (Minister of Finance Pravin Gordhan, Budget Speech, 17 February 2010) Education is an essential component of the reconstruction, development and transformation of the South African Society. Due to past governmental policies, a huge gap in the level of education between adults has developed. These people need to be given the skills so that they can reintegrate into their respective communities, becoming active citizens partaking fully in the South African economy. Therefore it is aimed to provide a centre that promotes vocational skills development in the adult sector of the population. It is aimed to promote social reintegration of people through skills development, and aim to enliven previously neglected communities and be a catalyst for community revitalisation, as the centre grows the human resource potential of the respective community. Hence, the aim of this research is to investigate what architectural elements and design factors combine best to promote the most effective educational environments for the adult teaching and learning processes. It will consist of both primary and secondary sources, while conclusions will be drawn from precedent and case studies, but a balance between primary and secondary research is needed in order to create a workable, imaginative and sound architectural solution for the design of an adult education and vocational skills centre.
The integration of traditional and modern architectural form : a proposed socially active centre for skills development in Southern Africa.
(2011) Phiri, Chisomo Kelvin.; Yavo, Phillippe.
This research is a study of traditional and modern architecture and how the aforementioned systems can and should integrate into Afro-centric architecture. The emphasis was on the architecture one tends to enjoy as an African, explored and juxtaposed against the thoughts and theoretical frameworks of culture sensitive architects worldwide. In this dissertation, the aspects of integrative theory were explored. Primary theories dealing with sustainability, New African Architecture, Indigenous Knowledge and Semiology were assessed as well. The differences between traditional Africa and modern adaptations, both positive and negative, were the limit of the research. In the dissertation certain key questions are posed to drive the inquiry of the document. The hypothesis is the conjecture that a connection between modernized architecture and traditional semiotics exists and can be cultivated to flourish, developing African architecture at all levels. This conjecture acts as a base for primary and secondary research. There are accounts listed in this dissertation of richly meaningful and sensitive traditional architecture that show a connection between American, Asian, African and European primitive building styles. These accounts show practices that have lasted near as long as the society that invented them. The gathered information shows that these examples have undergone little change over the years. The dissertation argues that the value these instances of traditional architectural meaning lessened over the years due to a shift in cultural paradigms. Further chapters in the study address cosmology, African attitudes to space, the reinvention of old materials and the manifestation and celebration of new tectonic relationships. Lessons collected on the above listed issues were related against findings from verbal interviews, written questionnaires and observations at the site of case studies. It is the researcher’s desire to explore the potential for an integrative developmental institute. To this end, an assessment has been done both in the form of precedent embedded in the text and Case Studies of relevant buildings that relate to the subject matter of the dissertation. The analysis of these assessments shows a manifested potential for the integration of traditional designs with modern building.
The revitalisation of inner cities through arts and cultural precincts : a case for Durban.
(2011) Venter, Tamaryn.; Yavo, Phillippe.
Most cities are faced with the issue of decline that often causes segregation between people and places within its walls. Often, the problem lies in the condition of these cities. Cities are no longer bustling, active places that attract people and encourage lingering within, but rather have become places that are unhealthy and feel unsafe (Ravenscroft, 2000; 2534: Oc and Tiesdell, 1997; 5). In some cases, fragmentation takes place, which encourages clustering and segregation between race groups, economic groups and even age groups. The city is no longer a place for everyone within its footprint, but rather a collection of fragments which further divide areas into mono-functional or single demographic zones. The purpose of this dissertation is to investigate the issues around the topic of decline and to gain understanding of the governing factors that contribute to the decline of cities. By understanding the causes of decline, one can further derive conclusions as to how these cities can be revitalised into places that are liveable, healthy environments that encourage activity and occupation. Further issues to be investigated are the creation of ‘Place’ within the city, as well as the methods on how existing boundaries can be bridged to create a more interconnected and integrated city. The current boundaries that exist within the city include physical boundaries (such as unoccupied and decaying buildings, vacant land, highways and roads), social boundaries (between various races, ages, backgrounds and religions) and economic boundaries. The idea of using Arts and Culture as method of revitalisation and integration will be explored for the purpose of this dissertation.
The role of architecture in developing urban self-sufficient living : a proposed youth development centre for Durban's inner city.
(2015) Seedat, Tahir.; Yavo, Phillippe.
The study investigates the role of architecture in developing urban self-sufficient living as an alternative to a lifestyle of consumerism, and the negative effects of consumerism and materialism on people’s health and environment predominantly in urban areas. The study is justified because by researching what the role of architecture is in developing urban self-sufficient living and proposing an appropriate architectural intervention, we can encourage an alternate lifestyle to consumerism and develop urban self-sufficiency by utilising theories of minimalism and voluntary simplicity. There will be a reduction of the environmental footprint of living in urban areas, a sustainable and self-reliant community and an improvement in the quality of life. A literature review is conducted which reviews literature concerning minimalism and voluntary simplicity with autonomous buildings, biotecture, permaculture, ecominimalism and the small house movement as sub-theories. The literature review investigates the philosophies of these theories which concern various aspects of lifestyle. The literature further investigates the effects of consumerism and materialism on consumer behaviour and culture within the South African context. A conclusion is reached that the proposed architectural intervention is to be a youth development centre within Durban’s inner-city. Precedent studies are conducted which are based on their practical application of the theories and concepts investigated within the literature review. Case studies of two projects, within the South African context, are conducted in order expand on the information uncovered within the literature review and precedent studies. It was concluded through the case studies the role of architecture in developing selfsufficient living, we also understand the importance of living a minimalist or simplified lifestyle as an alternative to consumerism. Finally, the summary of the research document finds conclusions of the applicability of the key theories, based on the comparison of the literature review and precedent studies to the case studies. Recommendations are then made of the utilisation of these theories in the proposed youth development centre within Durban’s inner-city.
The role of architecture in fostering healthy cities.
(2010) Duffield, Darryl.; Githitu, Mahinda.; Yavo, Phillippe.; Levi, Isaac.
This research initiative explores the architectural response to the health implications of rapidly urbanising societies. The investigation looks at the concept of a healthy city as a facilitator for sustainable urban health by a holistic definition of the term. Here, health can be defined as a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing (World Health Organisation, 1985) which argues that health problems are embedded in complex features of urban life that fall outside the province for medicine. The relationship between architecture and health is explored by a chronological investigation of the process of urbanisation which uncovers key issues such as the degradation of the urban environment through intensification and automobile reliance. Furthermore, the destruction of the natural environment and the ignorance of the socio-spatial dimensions of human habitats have led to a series of physical and social health issues. The research identifies urban design and housing examples which promote urban health through a variety of concepts such as mixed-use development, the creation of social spaces and the creation of a legible and coherent urban fabric and focuses on the needs of the community. Essentially, the research points towards a social architecture that provides a series of community services and amenities to promote health as a holistic idea.
The role of architecture in the democratisation of South Africa in disadvantaged communities : a design of a civic centre for Mpumalanga Township.
(2010) Gumede, Siphiwe.; Yavo, Phillippe.
In the field of architecture the socio-cultural factors have been deterministic in the formation of place, conditions within them and consequently, social relations. Sociologists, anthropologists and environmentalist have advocated that buildings are essentially social and cultural products - King (1980), Rapoport (1969; 1976; 1977) and Bartuska & Young (1994). Architecture that addresses the human socio-cultural factors has been advocated to make a significant contribution to human life; it fosters a sense of belonging, well being and involvement. South Africa has endured years of colonisation and apartheid ruling, this has also reflected on its built environment. It was planned and designed to communicate and reinforce the dominance of the ruling regime which thus transformed the local populace by incorporating them into their political, economic and social value systems. The political shift of 1994 has however (from apartheid to a democratic ruling state) facilitated a renewed interest in acknowledging peoples differences, their unique characteristics and celebrating the diverse nature of a heterogeneous society. The democratisation of South Africa has brought about a major shift in the social and cultural context of the society which in turn has affected the built environment and architecture. It is in this context that this study explores the nature of the transformation, its ideals and principles so to inform the making of environments that help uplift the populace and to integrate our multicultural society while simultaneously celebrating, facilitating and accommodating the diverse cultures of the groups within it. Thus as professionals involved in the design of the built environment, there is an urgent need to identify and understand the socio-culture of society due to the political shift in South Africa in order to orientate in the right direction towards playing a role in the democritisation of South Africa. Hence the topic: The role of architecture in the democritisation of South Africa.
Social sustainability and its effect on the built form towards a design of a community anchor in Durban.
(2015) Heyes, Claude.; Yavo, Phillippe.
Social disorientation and segregation is a reality of the times. With more people than ever before confined to urban spaces, the built environment is being forced to play a more important role in the defining of social realms and sustainability of social groupings. The importance of these spaces is being highlighted within the commotion that is going on around them. The societal shift from a rural to a predominantly urban one is accompanied by vast changes in many phases of social life. Factors like urbanisation, urban sprawl and economic upheaval have led to hard times in South Africa, and many other countries in the world. Sustainability has largely been focused on in terms of its surrounding environmental issues and the social sector has been given less attention. There are arguments that social sustainability needs to be dealt with long before the issues of environmental sustainability can be addressed in full. Various life stresses plague modern day life; these include social relations, family pressures, inter alia environmental factors and career pressures, all of which contribute towards escalating life demands. These stresses justify a need for architectural interventions that focus not only on the physical improvement of an individual, but also on spiritual and mental growth and health of a community as a whole. Thus it is important for there to be a holistic architectural intervention that encompasses these aspects and gives some priority to the positive wellbeing of individuals and the communities that house them. Hence, the opportunity exists to explore the link between the built environment and the health of urban communities. This study aims at researching the various factors that can be put in place to achieve a state of social sustainability and what affect this has on the built form and in turn how the built form affects this. Are there ways as architects/urban designers and city planners to once again fuse the people of disconnected cities and create urban landscapes that have a positive effect on social cohesion, social capital and ultimately social sustainability? The broader problems and issues revolve around what the requirements are to create a catalytic place and space where social cohesion is possible and fits the ‘needs’ and ‘requirements’ of the major groupings within South African society and how these spaces / places then promotes social sustainability through various theories. A key question was, what is the effect of urbanisation on social sustainability within the modern city and how can the urban environment be used as a catalyst to reach a state of individual and community health, community cohesion and ultimately social sustainability?
A study of the decentralised business nodes of the post-apartheid city of Durban : toward a new business district as part of the greater Durban business system.
(2011) Timm, Jeffrey.; Luckan, Yashaen.; Zami, Mohammed S.; Yavo, Phillippe.
This dissertation revolves around the topic of office decentralisation. The literature review chapter first discusses a systems approach to planning, and how it is the relationships between the objects within a system that makes the system as a whole useful. This chapter also discusses theories relating to city planning with reference to Kevin Lynch in terms of city elements as well as city planning typologies. Edmund Bacon’s theory of how movement systems of cities become powerful forces in terms of how the city is used and viewed is also discussed. Ebenezer Howard’s Garden City concept is discussed due to its intentional decentralisation but also for the manner in which nodes are linked. New Urbanism is touched on because many sprawling cities are turning this type of development in attempt to reduce the outward push of low density developments. Seeing that Apartheid city planning was informed by Modernist city planning, both of these concepts are looked at critically in relation to one another. This is to form the background on what impact office decentralisation has had on South African cities, and whether the locations of such decentralised office nodes have been in the correct locations in order to provide access to jobs to those who were marginalised during the years of Apartheid. With this background, office decentralisation is discussed in general, touching on office building typologies, the effect transportation technologies had on city planning, what causes office decentralisation, and the issue of office decentralisation in South African cities. Examples of how office decentralisation has been used as urban renewal projects have been discussed because it is of the opinion of the author that this needs to occur more often, especially in South Africa. Precedent studies of three cities which have undergone office decentralisation have been discussed in the next chapter. One is a South African city; one is another African city; and one an international city. This chapter discusses briefly their past, and the issues decentralisation is causing for the cities, as well as their solutions to the issues. Durban is used as a case study in the next chapter where decentralised office nodes have been identified and analysed. The challenges this decentralisation brings to the city are then discussed and possible solutions drawn from the abovementioned precedent studies have been suggested. These solutions were tested in a questionnaire which was sent to a selected group of working people. The results of which are discussed and analysed in chapters 5.
Technical know-how in the indigenous knowledge system underlying Batammariba traditional architecture in Togo and Benin.
(2013) Yavo, Phillippe.; Adebayo, Ambrose Adeyemi.
The desire to revitalise indigenous architecture and the built environment through socio-cultural, political and bio-physical relevance has created a strong need for the understanding of cultures and traditional built environments, especially in the developing countries. This study aims to fill the gap in understanding indigenous knowledge in relation to the production and maintenance of traditional architecture and settlements. This can be achieved by examining how such knowledge is depicted and communicated by the traditional master builder in the absence of written language; as well as exploring the forms, quantities and measurements, structural processes, thermal control and waterproofing systems used by the builders, and ecological resource management. The methodology used in this study emanates from the perspective of social anthropology. It includes informal interviews with local informants, participatory observation and reading, and interpreting written documentation of the Batammariba people and their indigenous knowledge systems. Information regarding prevailing technical know-how is obtained through investigations into readily observable facts and a comparative analysis of structure, context and style. It emphasises the importance of process rituals, building processes and technology, and an analysis of architecture in the context of both everyday use and special events. Findings of this study revealed that the works of Batammariba builders demonstrated structural stability, consistency in form, quantities and measurements, site layouts and resource choices in their traditional buildings and settlements. Furthermore the study substantiated the coding and sharing of such know-how in the absence of a written knowledge system. It therefore demonstrated that there is an unlimited reservoir of aesthetic, technical and conceptual wisdom locked up in the minds of traditional builders in Africa. The synthetic process so characteristic of the work of the great master builders of yesterday should be the answer to present day architectural problems. The present day generation of master builders all over Batammaribaland consists of a group of intelligent and active craftsmen, who are capable of adopting indigenous technology to modern needs if given an opportunity. The future generation of architects has much to learn from both past and present day traditional builders. The study also suggests a wide range of possible strategies to mainstream technical know-how of indigenous knowledge systems, as well as improve the way in which traditional indigenous architecture is synthesized in contemporary.
Towards a relevant architecture : an international rowing and canoeing regatta centre for KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
(2010) Howie, Craig John.; Peters, Walter Hermann.; Yavo, Phillippe.
2008 was a year which highlighted how far South Africa has fallen behind the rest of the world in the international Olympic sporting arena. High hopes for the Olympic Games in Beijing ended in a lower-than expected medal tally that sparked great debate in South African society. The reasons for this phenomenon are numerous and complex and it is not the intention of this dissertation to investigate all these concerns. However, what is of an architectural concern is the inadequate and often sub-standard sporting facilities which athletes in South Africa, in non-mainstream sporting codes, have to contend with. The challenge for architects in this regard is to design buildings for these sports, that are both adequate and of a suitable standard, while remaining relevant to their context. This to promote professionalism and inspire athletes to succeed through the creation of high quality, world-class facilities for competition, training and preparation. Rowing, canoeing and kayaking are highly competitive and technologically advanced Olympic sports. Many South African athletes compete in these disciplines and have enjoyed limited international success. Unfortunately, as there are currently no international regatta centres in Southern Africa, these same athletes have to travel abroad to compete and train at such facilities. South African athletes and the sports of rowing, canoeing and kayaking would thus benefit greatly from having access to locally based regatta facilities. KwaZulu-Natal has a proud sporting heritage and is synonymous with water sports as a result of its favourable climate and geographic location. This coupled with various other established sporting infrastructure, makes it the ideal Province for hosting major sporting events. Both Durban as a city and KwaZulu-Natal as a Province, have an impressive track record for hosting large sporting events. The Province has future aspirations of hosting major sporting events including the Commonwealth Games and the Olympics Games, with Durban soon hoping to be bidding to host the 2020 Summer Olympics. To host such events will require the design of many specialised sporting facilities for the city and will include the need for an international regatta centre. In my opinion, the best site for such a centre in KwaZulu-Natal is at Camps Drift in Pietermaritzburg. The requirements for an international regatta centre are both highly technical and very specific as set out by the respective world sporting governing bodies. These requirements need to be strictly adhered to in order for the Centre to be considered to be of an internationalstandard. The challenge will be to design architecture that is functional in achieving these set criteria while, remaining relevant to the social, economic and environmental context of its design. Thus the purpose of this research document is to determine a relevant architecture for the design of an International Regatta Centre for KwaZulu-Natal.