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Featuring: Callie van der Merwe
Design for Predictive Human Behaviour
The best designs solutions, consider on a very deep level its users or occupants. User Centric Design, Design thinking etc. The approach is not new and rightly so. It’s pretty logical. The problem with this approach however is that very few projects allow true immersion. By the time a designer is brought to the table, dates are set, budgets have been allocated and obligations must be met. It is thus seldom a feasible approach leading to less optimum design solutions. The more we started designing internationally, the more we realised this to be a pervasive industry problem. As specialist hospitality designers, where neither time nor budget is our friend, we had to explore ways to get to better answers much faster. To this end we began to question whether it was possible to think about this problem differently. What if we thought about specific spaces as being occupied by humans with automated behaviours and patterns. What if we understood how humans would move and interact in a very specific future environment? Could we create pre-set design patterns or solutions and explicit guidelines to optimise those behaviours and then spend the rest of our time on developing and prototyping the layers of unique visual tangibles to frame the solution and to make it relatable? We continue to research this hypotheses and time will reveal more results, but so far we have found this to be at uncannily true within our specific field of Hospitality design. We will touch on this approach and also talk about the subtle differences in behaviour and application we experienced over the last Five and a half years practicing from Sydney.
Featuring: Michelange Katende
Architecture O’clock
Space and Time are abstract entities surrounding our lives. Two concepts, yet realities that make essence of our existence.
On one hand; The world of Architecture beholds the power of creating marvelous spaces around us. Rather than designing buildings, the Architect designs an emotion, an experience, a feeling when creating a space.
On the other hand; The world of Watchmaking beholds the power of framing time in a tiny masterpiece on our wrists. A timepiece gives us the feeling of being in control of time while being a piece of art, a treasure.
Space (Architecture) and Time (Watchmaking) are two different branches without realizing they are part of the same tree; the tree of Life. Climbing the tree of Life is the journey Michelange Katende invites you to join in order to discover the breathtaking view on top of the tree.
Featuring: Mark Saint Põl
Landscape as infrastructure – multi-functional design for resilient urban environments
In cities where every square metre is under pressure to perform, we explore our strategies for the design of multifunctional, water sensitive urban landscapes that tie infrastructure, architecture, and public open spaces together for healthier, more resilient cities.
We require a change in approach to urban water management where stormwater is not a waste to be disposed of as rapidly as possible. We must value stormwater and surface water run-off as an asset that sustains many of the valuable ecosystem services that nature provides.
But it also provides a valuable opportunity to spatially integrate natural systems into our urban landscape for the wellbeing of all its citizens. Our focus therefore is to ensure that the landscapes are multi-functional – providing equitable access to the amenity and ecosystem services that are our life support system.
We can consider landscape as infrastructure because it can provide services such as flood attenuation, filtration, and ground water recharge. Infrastructure can also be considered as landscape as, whilst it provides these ecosystem services, it also provides valuable spaces for recreation, education, relaxation, and gatherings to create more meaningful and enjoyable places for thriving communities.
This is the critical multi-functional role of urban landscapes.
Featuring: Phillip Hollander + Stephen Wilson
Beautiful detailing and immaculate craftsmanship
Founders Phillip Hollander and Stephen Wilson have come together to create timeless and beautifully crafted furniture, with their team of designer-makers at Houtlander they work in a collaborative fashion to bring you the best that Houtlander has to offer. We care about basic human principles of inclusivity, environment and legacy.
Phillip started off making furniture out of his dads garage for friends and family while he was a student. With a entrepreneurial mind and a love for working with his hands, making furniture was a hobby that naturally became a career. The love for timber and its natural appeal runs deep in his veins.
Stephen first fell in love with wood when he worked under an Austrian cabinet maker fitting out interiors of yachts. With years of experience he developed a deep understanding of different materials and its uses. He embraces technology in his design and has a passion for refining a product until its perfect.
Beautiful detailing and immaculate craftsmanship are standout features of our furniture. By finding a delicate balance between simplicity and a signature style, we’ve struck just the right note in our designs to allow them to create neutral and peaceful, but non-sterile environments. With enough character to give a space depth, but pared-back enough that they can appeal to a wide audience. With consideration for the traditional yet inspired by technology and a modern design approach, Houtlander crafts quality furniture that is simple but special, traditional but contemporary.
Awards include 2017 Best Furniture Design – 100% Design SA, 2018 South African Designer Of The Year – 100% Design SA, 2019 Most Beautiful object in South Africa – Design Indaba.
DATE: 19 October 2021
TIME: 14:00 – 17:00
VENUE: ZOOM (Where you may find yourself)
COST: PIA MEMBER SPECIAL: R100.00 Non-Members: R250.00
CPD CREDITS IN CATEGORY 1: 0.3 CREDITS