Michel Roger's Architecture Project

	Architecture @ Sinethemba 2001 a project of SAEP@Sinethemba	Sinethemba

Senior Secondary School

Architecture @

Sinethemba 2001

a project of SAEP@Sinethemba

Sinethemba

Senior Secondary School

Introduction to Architecture

In February 2001, Michel Roger, a 58-year old French architect who had found about SAEP through the WorkingAbroad Programme, presented a short introduction to architecture and related disciplines to a small group of Sinethemba S.S.S. learners. Michel describes his experience as a Senior SAEP Fellow as follows:

"Providing academic support and enrichment at Sinethemba S.S.S. in the Philippi township of Cape Town, using volunteers from abroad like me, was SAEP's flagship project in the Western Cape during 2001. The purpose of this project was to raise environmental awareness, provide environmental education, and conduct science/math support activities as well as development in the use of English for learners at Sinethemba. This school was chosen because it was located in one of the poorest communities in the city and because its headmaster was enthusiastic about the SAEP's involvement in the school.

My workshop was aimed at a learners in grades 10 through 12 (standard 9 through 11), to demostrate that science and math are prerequisite for a very wide -- and unexpected --range of professions and to "open windows" on the other side of their class books. Science and math had the lowest level of success/pass rate at the school, and this needed to be redressed as soon as possible. I introduced "architecture" as a medium to give the students a wider view of careers that require a basic knowledge and grasp of science and mathematices, but do not require one to be an "Einstein" in these subjects.

Twenty students out of an original group of 26 participated actively. I took the opportunity to show how to apply simple logic in designing a much-needed school hall, improve communication skills, and exchange, compare and justify ideas. The workshop included sketch plans for the needed hall, the making of a model and panels, and photography by students as an experiment in reporting techniques, depicting their immediate environment, and showing what they were proud of or ashamed of in their community.

At the end of my worshop, an originally gender-separated group was forming into an enthusiastic community. They finalised their project by a tree planting ceremony on their school grounds. These trees were graciously provided by another NGO, Trees for Africa."

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF MICHEL ROGER'S
ARCHITECTURE WORKSHOP

Discussing the Project: click on photo to enlarge.

Weeks One and Two

At the first meeting between SAEP and Sinethemba to discuss the project, held on the 30th January, 2001, the lack of a hall and playing fields at the school was identified as a major problem for the school. These were to be addressed by the project along with an extension of the visitors' parking area, the idea being that the students produce a model for a new hall which would be included in both the funding and construction documentation.

The group consisted of sixteen highly motivated students. Initial work involved using communication skills, exchanging ideas and justifying choices. Since an understanding of maths and physics is important in architecture, methods of logic and analysis were identified and used in data collection and synthesis. The group was split into three and each group was given the relevant information and asked to choose a shape for the hall and car park, apply scaling to their design, come up with ideas for additional facilities such as a kitchen, and justify their choices.

In a related skills development activity, the students were also given the use of a camera to take photographs of their immediate surroundings, friends, the school, what they didn't like and what they were proud of.

Weeks Three and Four

During weeks three and four, the students continued their planning, discussed their ideas within the group, decided on a common proposal, drew up the plans, and made their model.

By taking a broader look at Philippi and the Cape Metropolitan area, Michel helped the student locate Sinethemba and Philippi in a larger context within Cape Town and the Cape Peninsula. This introduced the participants to a wide range of urban planning and development issues.

The idea of recycling and its financial rewards was introduced: having recycling bins for plastic, aluminium, paper or cardboard in the school grounds was looked at.

A visit by the students to the construction site for a new hotel at the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront in Cape Town was organised. This involved meeting the architects (the firm Louis Karol) and other professionals involved in the construction of the hotel.

In another exercise, Michel read poems ("Return of the Amasi Bird") with music by Mozart and Bach playing in the background. The idea of the relationship between conducting an orchestra and the work of an architect was explored, focusing on writing and music; composition; sounds and notes.

Group Photo: click on photo to enlarge.

The members of the group were: Siphe Pathane, Sivuyile Apiene, Xolile Gope, Zimasa Mohlo, Phumza Gwija, Nandipha Ndlamafa, Boniswa Tshaya, Ngcotyehi, Zoleka, Zanoiswa, Adam, Aiyanda Lala, Nosiphiwo, Faleni, Nomandla Mahlumba, Nosiseko Fenama, Msimelelo Mzotsho, Mhlangabezi Biyo, Thandekile Tajani, Loyiso Tati, Nomvuzo Piluni, Xolelwa Busika.