A Growing City

A city grows from the ground and its context. 

Lines represent connections between building within an urban context. Movement throughout a city determines the development of communities and this dictates how people interact with each other. A good community vibe is as a result of walkable neighbourhoods and close proximities to human needs. More people in the street provides more opportunity for social interaction. 

A mixed use building facilitates these 'pathways' inside the building with all needs provided in one spot, thereby becoming the community...

Contrasting line and shape are symbolic of the architecture as well as culture in Port Elizabeth and South Africa in general. The mixture and unusual combinations of  architecture, historic and contemporary, tall or short, relates to these dynamic sculptures(particularly the last, golden one). The geographic context of Central, where the proposal will take place consists of steep hills and 'cliff faces' and because of this, a common sight is buildings that see to be balancing on the edge or becoming part of the rock as if they 'grew' from it! 

Trafalgar Centre (proposed building) is on top of this hilly part of central and is therefore the point where this all connects. It is fitting that the design concept should reflect this 'growing', 'developing' 'combining' idea.

Product Design

The Concentric Convergence

-a table to encourage interaction

This table will be used in the Hi-Bru coffeehouse as an alternative seating as apposed to the proposed fixed bar seating which will be a feature in the space. 

The product needs to incorporate the theories that I've chosen to base the entire design concept on. 

New Urbanism:

Sustainable urban design principals. The weaving element of the wire represents a 'growing', or 'connecting' to the urban environment. The choice of materials also relate the design to its urban context: concrete and steel and a touch of timber for a contrasting, tactile aspect. This contrasting element is also part of my concept and stems from the inspiring contrasting nature of South Africa.

Architecture and Society (Environmental Psychology): 

I question how do people react to and with this table. Also how does it affect the behavior of people with each other. A puzzle is included in the design of the tabletop. This induces interaction with the design as well as with the person sitting with you at the table. The design concept of Hi-Bru is to connect different people and cultures through the experience of coffee therefore this is quite fitting.

The Design

Inspirational mood board

A 3D sketch of the design

A front elevation of the table, note the staggered feet attachment (symbolic of growing from its context)

Below is the presentation poster that i submitted today. The conceptual development is also included here if you would care to know more detail. 

This table will be manufactured to full scale as the second part of the project, within a budget of R1500 if possible.

The second product  will be a vacuum coffee maker and will follow in another post!

Conceptual Design Ideas

conceptual sketches for the design of the artisan coffee cafe

sketches for the design of the typically south african shop and showcase space.

very basic sketches with ideas for the office enivornment