Waste City: alternative architecture for radical change

Abstract

This thesis is an exploration into the possible creation of radically alternative ways of dwelling within the city, whereby inhabitants would construct their own environments through the use of waste as a building resource. The project challenges and contests the status quo of architectural production, market driven planning and a societal structure which is governed by the continuous consumption of 'stuff', while simultaneously attempting to address the ever-increasing social inequality experienced within Cape Town. Given our present conditions of crisis born out of modernity and the processes of modernization, the research brings foreword the utopian debate, questioning how we might begin to envision a better future. To this end the research begins with an exploration into the conditions of modernity and the implications these conditions have had on human existence. The modern social project of architecture forms the basis of this study, unpacking the complexities it faced when confronting the social conditions of modernity and its attempts to bring about social transformation. The conclusions drawn from this study formed the development of a personal philosophical position and the development of a series of propositions presented in the form of cartoons. The study thus formed the basis and genesis of ideas for the design project. This ideological response comes in the form of self-sufficiency support structures, whereby inhabitants would construct their own environment to meet their own desires. Free from the constraints of capital labour, people could engage in free play, creativity and celebrate collective life, thus potentially overcoming the alienating and fragmenting forces associated with the conditions of modernity. This thesis is an exploration into the possible creation of radically alternative ways of dwelling within the city, whereby inhabitants would construct their own environments through the use of waste as a building resource. The project challenges and contests the status quo of architectural production, market driven planning and a societal structure which is governed by the continuous consumption of 'stuff', while simultaneously attempting to address the ever-increasing social inequality experienced within Cape Town. Given our present conditions of crisis born out of modernity and the processes of modernization, the research brings foreword the utopian debate, questioning how we might begin to envision a better future. To this end the research begins with an exploration into the conditions of modernity and the implications these condition~ have had on human existence. The modern social project of architecture forms the basis of this study, unpacking the complexities it faced when confronting the social conditions of modernity and its attempts to bring about social transformation. The conclusions drawn from this study formed the development of a personal philosophical position and the development of a series of propositions presented in the form of cartoons. The study thus formed the basis and genesis of ideas for the design project. This ideological response comes in the form of self-sufficiency support structures, whereby inhabitants would construct their own environment to meet their own desires. Free from the constraints of capital labour, people could engage in free play, creativity and celebrate collective life, thus potentially overcoming the alienating and fragmenting forces associated with the conditions of modernity.