Computer hand in nearing.

The process is slow but worth the effort. While exams are around the corner time is of the essence, but I feel that time just needs to pause, not for working, but for me to catch up on some sleep.

5 Stars for Windhoek

The much anticipated Hilton Windhoek Hotel.

Namibia's first 5 star hotel opened its doors today (27-05-2011) after  three years of planning and preparation. What makes the building remarkable in the sense of architecture is that the building is built right in the heart of the city, with the Supreme Court of Namibia on the one side and Independence Avenue on the other. The building was also designed with sustainability in mind.

Inspiration with a quote

The portfolio exam is nearing and time is running out. If only time could stand still for a day so that I can fix all my projects. To top it of I have designer's block.

"Design is easy. All you do is stare at the screen until drops of blood form on your forehead." - Marty Neumeier

Quote of the day

Good design goes to heaven; bad design goes everywhere.

-Mieke Gerritzen

Urban Design Project

 What is the comparisson between the Boardwalk Entertainment Complex and the NMMU South Campus. The basic comparisson is that most people would attend tthe Boardwalk due to its friendly nature and its international response the architype from all around the world. Whereas the NMMU Campus is cold and alien looking even though it follows the principles of a post- modern building.

Sketches for Ceaserstone.

Although my timing of this specific post is late, I still feel that I need to share it.

Marriage of art and science.

The Rasin Building in Prague, also known as the dancing house by Frank Gehry, is intuitively designed with a rational mind of the context and materials. 

Ceaserstone competion

 The brief called upon 5 zones for a couple to sleep, eat, live, soul and a community interface. Located in the historical precinct of Richmond Hill, Port Elizabeth. The site sits on a steep cliff facing the ocean. The solution was to clearly define three specific areas: The lower ground facing the street would incorporate a workshop for community interface, the upper ground floor is set for the eating and living zones well a courtyard is built into the cliff as a soul space. The first floor is the most private space and is designed as a solid box resting on the public spaces below that is encased with floor to ceiling windows.

A small apartment with 24 different spaces.

This small apartment is located in the densely city of Hong Kong, China. The architect/ owner changed the small one bedroom apartment into a multi-functional space with the use of wall panels set on a track system that allows for 24 different functions. The various wall panels each hide a specific function behind it. For instance behind the television panel is the kitchen.

Still thinking of the Go-Kart Design Centre

It is true that the pen is mightier than the sword. And the design realisation is well thought annd presented when the author of a design needs to present his idea to the world.

To sketch or to CAD that is the question?

I do believe that the use of CAD programs such as AutoCAD is a definite solution in an age appropriate, time efficient and accurate way of designing, but I always need the free instant motion of sketching with my hand. It is just the feel of a pen lightly touching paper that inspires my designs,

The site for Ceaserstone

The brief calls for a vertical designed house. The site that I have chosen is in Richmond Hill, Port Elizabeth, and features a terraced view of Algoa Bay. The site is 9.5 m wide and 30 m long and is sited on a hill. The greatest challenge of the site is that the building is situated in the historical area of the city.