African Design Magazine July 2015 | Page 4

AD Editor’s view We had the pleasure recently of watching an inspiring movie which, although American-based, deals with a problem we are all too familiar with in Africa – that of inadequate educational facilities. The documentary movie “If You Build It” gives a captivating look at a radically innovative approach to education. The documentary follows designer-activists, Emily Pilloton and Matthew Miller, to rural Bertie County, a poor neighbourhood in North Carolina, where they work with local high school students to help transform both their community and their lives. Living on credit and grant money and fighting a changeresistant school board, Pilloton and Miller lead their students through a year long, full-scale design and build project that does much more than Gregg Cocking just teach basic construction skills: it shows ten teenagers the power of design-thinking to re-invent not just their town but their own sense of what’s possible. The movie offers a compelling and hopeful vision for a new kind of classroom in which students learn the tools to design their own futures. Watch the trailer HE R E or visit www.ifyoubuilditmovie.com for more information. It really is inspiring! Inspiration from Africa and beyond Elsewhere in this month’s issue of African Design Magazine, there are other quality projects featured including Zaha Hadid’s latest project of an exquisite cabin renovation in Norway; the regal FBI headquarters in Florida; world-class African buildings from Uganda, Senegal, South Africa and Kenya. We also feature an eye-opening article on Malawian vernacular architecture and direct you to an in-depth study on the country’s built forms. If you like what you read, please do not forget to share African Design Magazine on social media. Don’t miss registering for the upcoming Bloembuild conference (July 23-24), Decorex Joburg (August 6-10), as well as CEDIA – Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association – Home Cinema Design Workshop training and “Designing Future Ready Homes” CPD course. African Design Magazine is a proud media partner for all three of these prestigious events. AD Published by African Design Magazine (Pty) Ltd, PO Box 9802, Edenglen, Johannesburg, South Africa, 1613 Cover photograph: Iwan Baan How to get in touch with African Design Magazine Editorial Gregg Cocking Cell: [phone] Email: [email protected] Advertising enquiries Lesley Shapiro Cell: [phone] Email: [email protected] While precautions have been taken to ensure the accuracy of its contents and information, neither the editor, publisher, or its agents can accept responsibility for damages or injury which may arise therefrom. All rights reserved. © African Design Magazine. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form, photocopying, electronic, mechanical or otherwise without the prior written permission of the copyright owners. www.africandesignmagazine.com Facebook: AfricanDesignMagazine Twitter: @AfricanDesignMagazine 4 africandesignmagazine.com