Wits-Columbia Dialogue Friday 4 October 2013

We will have an afternoon of presentations and discussion with GSAPP students at Wits on Friday afternoon 2-5pm in the 1st floor seminar room in John Moffat Building. Wits students will present their research findings on Bree Street and they will get input from our visiting professor Mabel Wilson  from Columbia University.

crit order for friday

vanessa             09.00 - 09.25
tjaka                    09.30 - 09.55
natasha              10.00 - 10.25
nkosilenhle       10.30 - 11.55
charnelle            12.00 - 12.25

thursday 26 september

there will be no class
use the time to structure
your project for friday crits
we will convene on the 27th at 9.00
either osr or 1st fl seminar room
keep drawing . . . 

a day in the life of . . .

west 8

http://www.west8.nl/projects/miami_beach_soundscape/ 

make sure you watch the films at the bottom of the page

vision – imagining . . . _comments

de sa santos – give your project a title which aligns with the imagining theme.  a descriptive caption with the drawing on the contents page would be appreciated, explaining what is going on, plus where, in the image.  what does this: the colour orange has been used throughout the project to reflect the public infrastructure, mean in the intro? substitute the word works in this sentence, rich history should all be utilised in achieving an urban design framework that works, with an urban design framework that is appropriate.  source a more appropriate + relevant image to illustrate objective 2.  in re-working the site, what happens if someone donates 3 goats or 5 cows, will these not be accepted, or will they be culled?  why limit their numbers so explicitly?  map on page 2 needs text to point out street names + magnets, like the carlton centre, pioneer part etc.  say 4^th avenue parkhurst, johannesburg on p3.  illustrate where the image on p4 is on plan and keep working on this drawing to make it richer for the next phase.  p9 is a gem.  for the next phase, include a spatial dimension to the 4 actors and their daily lives should be illustrated on plan.  minor grammatical error with jabu, it should read ‘visiting his brother who stays in . . .’  in the next phase, make sure that somewhere these actors intersect with public toilets + busstops. well executed work with a rich narrative.  the urban farm theme is powerful and requires more academic rigour.

kluth – bridging the gap between citizens and their city – good title.  i find this density from carlton centre (231m) to rosettenville (3,5m) confusing.  are these heights?  p8 didn’t offer an answer.  intro + objectives are clear, but then how do you arrive at the connection and integration of sport, tourism and transport?  is this an overview of bridging the gap between citizens and their city?  is it possible to get p5, 6 + 7 to work together as one graphic which articulates the desire, to then be expressed on the built form p9?  p10 needs explanation as how the quote fits to johannesburg road – perhaps talk about its current condition and what it needs to be a great street.  p12 needs a page number and more explanation as to what, exactly, are the pedestrian anchors and land use.  graphic on p13 requires a caption to explain the street residue + vibe, like what you done on the following two pages.  make things like comfort and image, sociability etc. specific to johannesburg road. p16 – 18 need to be demonstrated on a map/plan.  very beautiful sections.  well done work which sets the stage for next phase, framework. 

mavuso – an integrated public open space & transport corridor, is very good as a departure point.  where is the conclusion on the contents page?  try to illustrate the last 3 objectives like you have done to first 4 on p1.  p3 + 5 require captions for the images and text on the map to point out things of interest, possible interventions etc.  p5 needs explanatory text to assist in articulating the public transport access to otherness theme.  plan on p6 needs text to explain what is spatially happening on the ground plus to articulate the ecological street system.  fantastic p7.  this is the beginning of a very exciting project with strong drawings and texture.  you must work harder to bring it to fruition.  don’t forget to conclude.   look at http://www.west8.nl/projects/master_plans/hasselt/ + sorkin for otherness . . .

segooa – imagining the corridor of hope is a very good title.  fantastic poem.  the majesty language reference confuses.  who is her majesty?  remove the north points on p3 + 4 – they confuse rather than inform.  is it possible to see the eco-corridor, corridor of access, compatibility + prospects on 1 drawing?  the orientation + representation of the maps on p4 are incorrect.  project is very dense and exciting, but also very problematic.  make an appointment to see me.

simoes – where to now is a very good title.  contents page contains no conclusion.  image on p2 needs a caption which will link it to your site.  project would be greatly enhanced if you illustrate, graphically, the objectives listed on p3.  make the images on p5 larger.  p6 is very good in articulating the vision.  project contains stimulating vignettes of possible public furniture and people infrastructure like the mushroom light.  is it possible that you sit, give yourself sometime, and render a 3 dimensional image of what a chosen part of the area might look like with its seating areas, light etc.? it would be beneficial to see the mushroom light + bench in relation to the kerb and an edge condition.  how the seating and greenery are combined.  where the trashcans are located  next to a busstop, for example.  overall the project is very strong but somewhat difficult to access.  why is the text so small and some of the pictures puny?  i hope this will not be case when it is printed.  use the map on p10 as a base plan.  it is very good.  project needs a conclusion + reference pages.

SketchUp

i have been instructed 
to inform you that the day 
has changed from wednesday 
to thursday 
for the session
since this affects our handin 
you are expected to handin 
on thursday
keep drawing . . .