the lamp

located at 13 Annerley Terrace, Central, Port Elizabeth, South Africa, Lampenhof is the building i have chosen for my BTech treatise (shhhhhhh....dont laugh! that's mean!). the building is along the donkin trail and only a block away from cora terrace - and if you know PE, youll know that these places are historically invaluable. though one couldnt say the same for poor lampenhof. eish! 

however, lampenhof - in all its dilapidation - provides me with the opportunity to propose something that might end up being fun to design (tune in for future installments to discover the wonder of just what the proposed functions and concept are). you see, lampenhof is 55 years old and a grade B heritage building - which means it should be treated as a local heritage site - however, its architecture (cheap rip off of modernism - no seriously, you should see the interior layouts) is deemed "intrusive". minus 10 heritage points.

ok, so its unattractive, dirty, damaged and smells REALLY REALLY BAD! (believe me, we measured up in surgical gloves and masks and that stench penetrates - i took like 7 baths when i got home - hence the current water scarcity in the eastern cape) but does that mean it cant add value to the area and community? i think not. afterall, it has some great views.

scrap that

i'm using this image now - - - - - - - - no, i dont like dogs.

yes, i do like the lighting...... whether i'll have the same opinion after the rendering assignment is another question. 

ps: if i dont post the 3d simulation rendering, you'll know it didnt go well.

3d rendering

i am about to venture into the mysterious realm of advanced 3d media.... yes, dun dun dun and all that.... below is a shortlist of messages - but there can only one!

1. interesting basins (and showers??!!)

2. like totally contemporary minimalism (maybe too minimal)

3. chapel in valleaceron by sancho madridejos - wwwooooooooowwwww!

whatcha think?

i want these everywhere

Oprah should have these (by Hulger) on her show... that way practically everyone in the world will have beautiful CFLs...

horizons . landscapes to explore

stark . arid . poetic  . .. panoramic by brett rubin 

creative introduction to an interior design treatise

Something that has crossed my mind lately:

Within the rapidly developing country of South Africa one asks the question, ‘Where is this country going?’ It is easy to fear the worst since the turbulence of recent world history has lead to the breeding of a mass fear in society (Hattingh 2009:1).
This mass fear is notable in South Africa through cultural divisions and aggressive and violent behaviour, behaviour Li Edelkoort equates to that of a rebellious teenager searching for individual identity within a globalised world (Edelkoort 2008: 25).

It seems as though the list of fears grows daily: climate change; genetically engineered food; food shortage; water scarcity; economic recession (Hattingh 2009:1). Where in the past, world crises have resulted in cautious or prudent trends, such as minimalism (Hattingh 2009:1), contemporary South Africa’s answer to the question ‘Where is this country going?’ resounds with positivity as a decisive, ‘Forward!’. The period in time South African society enters today is marked by the humanistic approach of ubuntu.
It is predicted that South Africa will continue to embrace its ingenuity and creativity to develop solutions that will conquer fears and enhance a distinct and harmonious South African culture (Edelkoort 2008:25). Contemporary South Africa presents the opportunity for individuals to regain a sense of who one is and where one is. Essentially, now is the time for South Africans to live the dreams that will shape tomorrow.

If now is the time for South Africans to embrace individuality; in which ways can a brand, and more importantly, a place, be established so that it is not merely relevant to the country’s development, but meaningful and conducive to progress?

What are your thoughts?

r e f e r e n c e s:
Edelkoort, L. 2008. Neutralising the rainbow. Visi, 39:25

Hattingh, I. (2009, 10 March) Summer 2010 Forecast – Li Edelkoort. Internet:
http://www.ifashion.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id1623&Itemid+237 Access: 05 February 2010

(landscape photography from one league: http://www.oneleague.co.za/details.aspx?nav=0&modelid=48953&careerID=3&slideID=5264 )