Estate Living Magazine Alfresco Living - Issue 36 December 2018 | Page 49

And, of course, it works the other way as well. You can create
buildings that encourage or discourage interaction. Think, for
example, of a long passage, with doors on one side leading to
single rooms or apartments, or – more appropriately – cells,
because this design is perfect for a jail or some other institution
in which you don’t want free and easy communication. And then
compare that to – say – rooms built around a central courtyard.
This is perfect for a university residence or retirement facility in
which residents will want to communicate, and to have a sense
of being part of a community. And these same principles apply to
any community-driven design, whatever the scale.
Working on the design and construction of some of KwaZulu-
Natal’s most iconic buildings, such as the Moses Mabhida Stadium
and King Shaka International Airport, along with smaller projects
like schools and community centres, has enabled the team to
hone their skills in designing not just buildings, but communities.
‘Whether we’re working on an international airport, a world-
class stadium or a small township community hall, we are always
acutely aware of how the facility will be used, and we ensure that
our design will enhance people’s experience of the space,’ says
Msimang.
And, of course, the same goes for estates – whether they are
working on the grand design of a new estate, or just one house
within an existing one.
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