WORKSHOP 3

CARIN SMUTS

with DONALD FLINT, STEPHEN LEAR, BARRY BRADLEY 

 

PROPOSAL FOR INNER CITY HOUSING ON THE UPPER VALLEY ROAD OF THE LOWER BAAKENS RIVER IN THE BAAKENS VALLEY NATURE RESERVE

 

 

This historical residential area of South End was subjected to forced removals of its inhabitants in 1965 of which traces of the demolished houses can still be seen. A part of the Inner City Housing project is proposed on this historical demolished residential area and is therefore foreseen as a “Cosmopolitan” residential area as it used to be returning to a “history of Integration” and caring for your neighbours.

The development should take in consideration the historic South End layouts with narrow streets and housing facing immediately onto the street with the aim of creating “community space” within the street space.

The proposed site is a consolidation of four principal sites composed of small individual sites destined for the Inner City Housing with variations of two and three storey height restrictions.

The existing heritage cottages will have to be retained and upgraded as part of the project. The wood and iron cottage and the small semi-detached terrace cottages are all that remain of the dwellings once located on Upper Valley Road. They are remarkable in terms of their significance as remnants of South End and therefore noteworthy in terms of the intangible cultural heritage of the area. The cottages cannot be described as of great architectural significance in terms of their detailing and construction, however as remnants of South End they are indeed remarkable and must be incorporated into the development.

The Bridge Street Substation is located on Upper Valley Road and is a good example of an Art Deco styled building. The date of construction is unknown. However this building must be retained as part of the development.

Housing proposed near the ”Shri Siva Subramanier Aulayam” Hindu Temple should respect this sacred place and be restricted to two storeys.

For more information about Arch. Carin Smuts click here

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