which vary from avant-garde modern to eclectic neo-classical pastiche . This results in a museum of jarring and egocentric edifices . Another example is the commercial strip along Durban Road , Bellville . The brashness and attentionjostling screams out as a monument to capitalism and ego .
Research has shown that Greenfield precinct developments , which are sensitive to a common vision , can greatly affect the desirability and therefore the value of the buildings . Zoning codes rarely give qualitative directions for architects , urban designers and developers . It is no longer enough to indicate what is permissible by law . Rather , new codes should indicate what is desirable , eg . in terms of colours , materials , certain roof forms etc . to enhance a certain characteristic and sense of place . However , the balance between prescription and allowing responsible architectural expression is difficult to achieve .
The new proposed American Consulate , almost adjacent to the shopping centre , will be sited on an office-zoned erf . The design guidelines are similar to the shopping centre site , viz . bagged brickwork , white walls , low level lighting , etc . This is wholly inappropriate for this building type . The design guidelines , which are part of the zoning conditions , now become a serious problem , as the process required to amend them is onerous , costly and lengthy .
It is vital to ensure that design guidelines are well thought through in every aspect . Before embracing design guidelines , the following issues must be fully addressed and resolved .
• DG ’ s have to be well researched and documented to ensure that the vision or intention is delivered .
• DG ’ s must be administered and enforced by an appropriate and responsible mandated group of people ; the mandate should allow room for breaking the rules if deemed appropriate . The difficulty is in the appointment of this pane – who is appropriate to play God ?
• DG ’ s are guidelines only ; good design must not be secondary to the guideline .
• There must be room for signature buildings ; Frank Gehry ’ s Guggenheim in Bilboa comes to mind .
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