Looks like SOWETO is my main point of reference for any analysis in Joburg. There is so much info here, I dont even have time to see anywhere else in Joburg!
I visited the Chris Baragwanath Hospital (Phase 1 addition) today with the architects (NOA Architects)....the Principal was kind enough to let me follow them on a site visit. It close to final completion and serves as the main hospital for Soweto residents. It encompases an outpatient bldg, radiology, emergency, and a pharmacy. I attended their client meeting to discuss future phasing. Later, myself and Mr. Okpanum (Principal - the "O" of NOA) had an interesting conversation on a comparison between the challenges of working on a medical facility in a poor vs. wealthy community. The difference has alot to do with having a sense of entitlement and a platform to voice opinions. We also discussed his impressions on defining an "African aesthetic" and how it can be materialised in architecture.......... times like these I wish I could just pull out a tape recorder....good stuff.... he plans on writing a book on healthcare design guidelines in an African context......
Tomorrow, more meetings with architects of health facilities and community organizers......
I visited the Chris Baragwanath Hospital (Phase 1 addition) today with the architects (NOA Architects)....the Principal was kind enough to let me follow them on a site visit. It close to final completion and serves as the main hospital for Soweto residents. It encompases an outpatient bldg, radiology, emergency, and a pharmacy. I attended their client meeting to discuss future phasing. Later, myself and Mr. Okpanum (Principal - the "O" of NOA) had an interesting conversation on a comparison between the challenges of working on a medical facility in a poor vs. wealthy community. The difference has alot to do with having a sense of entitlement and a platform to voice opinions. We also discussed his impressions on defining an "African aesthetic" and how it can be materialised in architecture.......... times like these I wish I could just pull out a tape recorder....good stuff.... he plans on writing a book on healthcare design guidelines in an African context......
Tomorrow, more meetings with architects of health facilities and community organizers......
Ifeoma, those are the types of conversations I live for. If only you had smuggled me along, I could have been your secretary/carrier of bags...
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