Urban Foyer

[摘要] The introduction of the Bus Rapid Transit and theGautrain Rail and Bus facilities to the corner ofWolmarans and Rissik Street in Johannesburg's innercity has altered the site on which the BrazilianModernist inspired South African Railway WarMemorial Hall is situated. The new public transportfacilities have bought in new users, increasing the foottraffic on the site. However, the additional facilities onthe site remain unchanged and does not accommodateand provide the necessary facilities for its current users.The South African Railway War Memorial Hall sitsisolated from the site and the larger context ofJohannesburg's inner city, and fails to communicate theenergy and unique flavour, that is seen at many urbanspaces within the culturally rich Johannesburg innercity.Interior architecture involves the alteration and adaptivereuse of existing structures. The thesis proposes thealteration of the South African Railway War MemorialHall into a visitor centre for the Johannesburg Tourism Company.An intensive analysis was conducted in order toestablish the historical, structural and environmentcontributors to the design. Visitor centres, relevantprecedents, along with the theory of place-making wereinvestigated to establish an effective design approachthat will address the identified problem.This resulted in the design of the Urban Foyer. Theintervention will provide the necessary facilitiesrequired by the current and proposed users. It will alsopromote and advertise local events, unique urbanspaces frequented by locals and popular landmarks. Itis hoped that such an intervention will facilitate theintegration of the site with its immediate and largercontext. It is also hoped that through this integrationcurrent and new users will be encouraged to exploreJohannesburg's inner city.

[发布机构] University of Pretoria