Abstract
M.Tech. (Architectural Technology)
A persons' well-being is characterized as health, happiness,
prosperity and as being in a good state of existence. The way
in which we maintain our body, by eating the correct foods to
exercising on a daily basis, is an important part of maintaining
our well-being. Medical authorities regard South Africa a shaving
one of the healthiest environments and climates in the world.
South Africans get to enjoy sport and outdoor activities, fresh
fruit and vegetable sand some of the planets cleanest air (Health
issues in South Africa 2011: [sp]). This however is not the case
for many South Africans living in poor overcrowded conditions
with the lack of basic facilities. Within the medical field are large
areas of controversy, particularly with HIV/ AIDS treatments
between Traditional medicine and Bio-medicine.
The dissertation will not focus on the study of one specific
ailment and space related to health care. Instead an attempt is
made to create a space where a multitude of medical functions
can operate and share space in a symbiotic relationship. This
would ultimately create a place of well-being and healing, where
public health can be re-invent for a broader audience through
mixed use facilities, social interaction and nature.
The investigation area of the dissertation takes place in Yeoville
and the function of the building will examine the notion of a
Mixed Use Healthcare Centre. The architecture will look at
the human scale and needs whilst Nature will deal with form
and function. The Design intervention attempts to dissect the
existing healthcare system and inject new and fresh responses
to the ailing problems in the industry. There are currently large
gaps in the public and private sectors of South Africa as well
as the dialog between Traditional medicine and Bio-medical
practices (Richter 2003: [sp]). The concept of the intervention
is to provide a closed loop Healthcare system where the project
becomes self sustaining within the Social conditions, Function of
space and the Well-being of people
This will be done by investigating the existing typologies of
healthcare systems in South Africa and by combining both
Traditional Medicine and Bio-Medicine. This could allow a
better communication network to establish between the two
disciplines and provide more information about heath and well being
to the public. The intervention can become a framework for future health care
establishments where a multitude of functions can operate under one roof providing affordable treatment and advice to...