Yebo! - Yes....in Zulu
Today was pretty good. Derek Keerden -Principal of East Coast Architects took me and some staff on an architectural tour of Durban. Most of his design work is in poor neighborhoods, and so we visited three projects in two different townships. One project was done for Alyssa Keys' organization "Keep a Child Alive" - the clinic he designed "Blue Roof Clinic" seemed to be the most holistic project that I have seen thus far. It started as an abandoned warehouse and he transformed it into an ARV (Anti-retro viral) clinic and community center. The center has a library, community lab, pharmacy, counseling rooms and a large multipurpose room. The center was originally intended for children, but has had to change because of the need in the community.......We had a brief discussion about his experience working in poor communities.......his impression is that this kind of work is more challenging because you have to work on a really tight budget and therefore must be more creative with your resources.
His signature designs incorporate African based designs and materials and always have a component of open space for community gatherings.....I left inspired. Derek is pretty fearless and seems to be very comfortable in the rough and rugged townships of Durban. He claimed that he feels safer in a township than in a shopping mall....
Today was pretty good. Derek Keerden -Principal of East Coast Architects took me and some staff on an architectural tour of Durban. Most of his design work is in poor neighborhoods, and so we visited three projects in two different townships. One project was done for Alyssa Keys' organization "Keep a Child Alive" - the clinic he designed "Blue Roof Clinic" seemed to be the most holistic project that I have seen thus far. It started as an abandoned warehouse and he transformed it into an ARV (Anti-retro viral) clinic and community center. The center has a library, community lab, pharmacy, counseling rooms and a large multipurpose room. The center was originally intended for children, but has had to change because of the need in the community.......We had a brief discussion about his experience working in poor communities.......his impression is that this kind of work is more challenging because you have to work on a really tight budget and therefore must be more creative with your resources.
His signature designs incorporate African based designs and materials and always have a component of open space for community gatherings.....I left inspired. Derek is pretty fearless and seems to be very comfortable in the rough and rugged townships of Durban. He claimed that he feels safer in a township than in a shopping mall....
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