Interior architectural social compact to do good
In the current context of South Africa, there is a need for a shift in the profession of interior architecture to design to do good. Through designing to do good, by taking part in transdisciplinary action, there is a potential to create meaning within the tangible and intangible that is contextually relevant. Through implementing practices of PID, SI and the social compact, we can counteract social inequalities as well as spatial injustices caused by the post-apartheid built environment. This will enable synergistic need satisfaction, and dignity and will create social value within marginalised communities. The problem was investigated through fieldwork studies and interviews within Melusi Informal settlement. This study is situated within the pragmatic paradigm that makes use of qualitative data. By utilising the Max-Neef human scale development framework we could discern what axiological needs are impeded and what causes the needs to be impeded. Through this investigation, bridges presented themselves within the satisfiers and utopian requests. Meaning-making in terms of the tangible and intangible need satisfaction and utopian requests were also utilised as bridges. This is to ensure that not only the intangible programmes within Melusi allow for need satisfaction, but also the tangible that support these programmes are satisfied.
The largest factor that contributes to impeded needs is that of community isolation. To counteract this and allow for synergistic need satisfaction, bridges had to be implemented. Through the bridges, it wasf ound that the existing intangible programmes within Melusi are satisfied. However, the tangible within Melusi is not, thus the tangible and intangible do not work together in harmony. To discern how contextually appropriate tangible facilities could be implemented to support the rich intangible that could lead to need satisfaction, the IASC Conceptual framework was utilised to counteract the impediments and allow for synergistic need satisfaction. Through making use of practices of Public interest design, social innovation as well as the Interior architectural social compact, meaning, dignity, need satisfaction and value can be created within marginalised communities such as Melusi.
History
Department/Unit
ArchitectureSustainable Development Goals
- 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities