MIXED USE BUILDING
URBANE AREA AND FUNERAL OFFICE
It can be said that the conception and development of Area & Funeral offices for the AVBOB Group in Mthatha in the Eastern Cape , forms part of a concerted effort to develop a recognisable brand in terms of their facilities . An interrogation of the apparent dichotomy set up between commercial and private construction projects was the inevitable result . Notably , while a clear and directed urban language , largely , yet to be defined ; the core service AVBOB provides remains steeped in tradition and ritual .
The construction would necessarily traverse the spheres of urbane and humane in its execution as the project brief necessitated an expanded programme .
Operating criteria and outcomes set by the client , called for a mixed-use proposal . While this is a typical development model in the industry to date and well supported by statutory councils around the country , the somewhat unconventional mix of functions posed the initial design challenge .
42 AFRICAN DESIGN MAGAZINE © | APRIL 2018