Portfolio of Work - Emile Snyman
RDP House Extensions
Context
South Africa faces complex issues with regards to housing. Post-1994 the government has tackled the problem of adequate housing in the form of the Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP). Land used for these projects for new developments are generally of a lower cost, due to their proximity to work, medical facilities and schools. Another strategy implemented is to transform existing informal settlements by gradually converting to RDP housing.
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Often RDP houses are built below standards, as a result of developers trying to maximise on their profits. The bleak appearance of these dwellings and their inability to contribute to a sense of place in their contexts furthermore lead to questioning whether they are an effective strategy for providing dignity to the impoverished and marginalized groups of our society.
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Nevertheless in terms of providing basic shelter, water, electricity and sanitation to those for who these basic necessities are unobtainable, tremendous strides have been made with a total 5 677 614 having been built between 1994 and 2014.
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Needless to say then, RDP housing has created a particular suburban condition within, or rather at the peripheries of our cities. There exists an opportunity then to work within the parameters of these conditions in order to provide a better sense of place that is a more authentic reflection of the spirit of the communities that inhabit them. I suggest these places have the potential to become vibrant suburbs with their own adequate facilities, infrastructure and businesses. This project is already underway, largely due to the enthusiasm and spirit of those who reside there.
House Philander, Paarl East
In this project, the existing RDP home was built at the back of the site, furthest from the street. This created the oppertunity for the extension to make a contribution to the street. Most RDP homes lie somewhere in the middle of the site, which add nothing to the urban economy of a place, ironically streets are where the vibrancy of community life is most experienced. The making of 'streets' as opposed to 'roads' in these suburbs is an important endeavor in the aim of uplifting the urban character of these peripheral suburbs. Homes overlooking the street, and which foster spatial relationships with the street are an important feature of suburbs with a high degree of urbanity.
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This project was undertaken while under the employment of Erik Grobler Architect, and is currently under construction.
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Photos coming soon.
