WARREN VAN NIEKERK
UNIVERSITY OF CAPE TOWN
Urban Campus, Building the local craft tradition in Delft
Delft is currently under construction. Evidence
reveals that most residents have engaged in some
form of building activity, be it small scale or large
scale, self-initiated or by hired means. This labour-
intensive condition gives rise to the notion of Delft
as a site of production, resulting in an emerging local
industry, which in return possess many opportunities
both locally within and outside of Delft.
In this regard, the dissertation explores how these
building-related craft traditions can be suppo rted,
through the design of a vocational training urban
campus in Delft.
Thus far, building work has been executed within
Delft in an ad hoc manner, and good building work
remains unappreciated. The dissertation attempts
to construct an institutional campus informed by
Student Awards
the local vernacular that aids in the creation of a
positive public realm and contributes to the civic.
The components of constructing the campus are
explored through three typologies that make up
the various conditions as a whole; building as an
edge of exchange, building as a thoroughfare and
building as a yard.
The building system adopted is deliberately
clear and didactic in its making, revealing materials,
joints, details and structure. The process of material
selection and assembly is intended to echo the
existing vernacular of Delft. The use of material
such as clay brick work, concrete blocks, timber and
steel are utilised, introducing new techniques and
technologies of making, serving both a pedagogic
and a development purpose.
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