An Architecture of Care in South Africa: From Arts and Crafts to Other Progeny

This book explores how the Arts and Crafts Movement established the moral ethos of 'an architecture of care' and its impact on architectural projects in South Africa over the past hundred years. It demonstrates how the movement's ideas translated into various projects, such as the translation of inglenooks into 'Dignified Places' in Cape Town's townships, the ethos of 'upliftment and care' in the 'Hostels to Homes project, and the shift from boxy cottages to solar- and nature-oriented ribbon plans in South African houses. It also highlights the limit of valorizing vernacular architecture and its 'against-globalization' building materials.

Format: Hardback
Length: 218 pages
Publication date: 10 July 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Architects hold a profound significance in the realm of architecture, as their dedication and commitment form the very foundation of the discipline and its practices. This captivating book takes us on a journey to explore how the Arts and Crafts Movement laid the moral foundation for an architectural philosophy known as "an architecture of care." Not only does this philosophy continue to shape current discourse and practices within the field, but it is also gaining a more prominent voice in our world, particularly in the face of climate-crisis and social justice issues.

Through a series of "genealogical strands," the book traces the origins of "architecture of care" ideas within the Arts and Crafts Movement and their profound impact on subsequent architectural projects in South Africa over the past century. These projects range from the translation of inglenooks into an armature architecture of "Dignified Places" in Cape Town's townships to the ethos of "upliftment and care" that resonates from Octavia Hill to the "Hostels to Homes" project.

The birth of design through context and climate in the Arts and Crafts Movement is evident through the shift in South African houses from boxy cottages to solar- and nature-oriented ribbon plans, as exemplified by the work of Helmut Stauch and Norman Eaton. This shift not only reflects a change in architectural aesthetics but also highlights a limitation in the valorization of vernacular architecture and its reliance on "against-globalization" building materials. English architects, in promoting Cape Dutch settler architecture and denigrating African vernacular architecture, demonstrated a disconnect between their ideals and the local context.

As a concluding "genealogical strand," the book underscores the coherence between moral instrumentality and the animism and affects potential of handmade buildings. Written with a readership of academics, students, and researchers interested in architectural history, this insightful investigation delves into the rich tapestry of the architectural past and offers valuable insights into the ongoing evolution of architectural philosophy.

Weight: 590g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367461539