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Profile Information

Built Industry Sector:

Architectural design services

Profession:

Architectural Professional

Primary Work Focus:

Upmarket Residential, Gallery, Performance space, etc

About Me / Us:

Sarah Calburn is an architect working in Johannesburg, with built and in-progress work spread out around the country. She is most interested in what she calls the 'mutually deforming' relationships between landscape and architecture, and takes a critical, conceptual approach to architectural design. She considers architecture an art, and one of our most potent human manifestations - therefore, extremely revealing of our contemporary psyches. She is currently teaching a design studio at Wits, and sits on the Gauteng Institute for Architecture in the 'Habitat and Heritage' slot. From this base, she is in the throes of organising a series of Design Masterclasses giving CPD points to professionals which will run throughout 2009 and culminate in a catlogue and award. The 2009 series is called 'RAPID THOUGHT TRANSPORT - Architects re-imagine Joburg', and each design workshop will be run by a prominent South African architect and/or artist.

Company Name:

Sarah Calburn Architects

Contact Number:

011 447 0867

Website:

http://www.sarahcalburn.co.za

Sarah Calburn's Blog

A call to arms

In answer to this question : 'Is there anything unique about South African architecture?' from Nicole Hijbeek of Design Mind following the Open Think Box debate, I wrote this particularly excoriating paragraph, all of which I mean:
"South African architecture is unique to South Africa: in its weakness: – particularly in the extremely shallow “give the client what they want” aspect of most architectural practice. South African architecture does not yet seem to have evolved to a point where we as… Continue

Posted on March 24, 2009 at 12:15pm — 8 Comments

Comment Wall (13 comments)

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At 1:59pm on August 3, 2009, Silent Bee said…: I know. However, I'm still a fairly young architect, and I work for a commercial practice with commercial clients. It's not unlikely that, at some point, I'll make a comment about one of our clients, future clients or one of our own buildings! And I quite like having a job at the moment. Perhaps one day I'll work for someone who's a little more open to the criticism -- or is able to avoid it altogether, by producing sensible architecture. Or I'll be in a position to start my own practice, and put my neck on the line.

For now, I'll have to try and change things quietly from the inside. And be loud anonymously on the internet.

At 12:59pm on August 1, 2009, Silent Bee said…: Sarah, Your piece on Mail & Guardian Online prompted me to finally start a blog I've been thinking about for a whil -- http://yourarchitectureisbad.wordpress.com Take a look :-) And thank you!

At 2:55pm on July 20, 2009, Dr. Van Aardt du Preez said…: Sarah, you invited me to a exchange of words, as long as it is "colourless". Im not on your level as an architectural guru, but I do have a passion for houses. My Honors, Masters and Doctorate research was about the residential needs of the different racial groups. It was a great research experience, but now just a memory and completely out of tune with the new residential planning and political approach to residential areas. But lets disect the present "South African" architectural approach. I want to start from the basis of all home designs........our homes shape us, the atmosphere we create has an unbelieveable influence on our personalities and outlook on life. I cant see how the exterior of a house can have an influence on us, because our daily perceiving of the exterior is of short periods. While the interior is where we live and experience it during all pleasant moments and crisis experiences. I dont believe the desing alone can have a lasting influence, but it is the way we decorate and use the design to create our required environment. To me it is a mystery why we dont have a typical South African design, we copy all the overseas designs and live in huge homes with little if any traditional feelings. We have one of the most versatile climatic regions in the world, from desert to tropical areas and I yet have to experience designs that will compliment the climatic regions as experienced in the different areas. I do feel that the Cape is the only region where there is a noticeable regional design to compliment the traditional residential needs, Why do you architects make it so impossible for the man on the street to use your expertise. Surely you can cross the financial barier with more practical and easily changeable designs. Your future market begins here and especially now with the new South Africa and the wonderful diversity of the different ethnic groups with their special needs and fantastic traditional colours. Some thoughts from a novice

At 3:11pm on July 2, 2009, katarina dimitrijevic said…: Not so sure that I have organized a nanny for little darling.
But will see ya on tuesday at sandon for green conference

At 3:16pm on June 27, 2009, SIMON ADJEI said…: Am very much impress about your product, my Name is Simon Adjei, am in a west African country called Ghana, am 27 years old and a building technician, building Designer and a Drafter, I started using AutoCAD the year 2005 and has got no where with it. Am currently on ArchiCAD and have a lot of problem on the 3D Presentation product, after finishing with my work in ArchiCAD I lent there a number of software’s I can use to control the end product which I have finished in the ArchiCAD, I therefore wish to know more about how to go about with my work, I will be very much happy to get help from you or any other person who will want to help a dream come true.

At 1:17am on May 5, 2009, Shan said…: Well Well Well we must meet, the current flooring project I am working on will spark alot of interest with you. Love your profile. you, yourself are a Work of art...so it seems....looking forward to your reply Shan...PS are you also a huge fan of the Julia Rober's movie, :Mona Lisa'a Smile" to me I just got that movie so well. I could watch it every week and learn something new from it. XOXO....

At 6:45pm on May 4, 2009, SIMON ADJEI said…: I have been through your profile on designmind.com and will love to know you better, Am most grateful to be a part of this wonderful site, what I have noticed most in here is Senior Architects and Designers publishing their product and telling the world what they can do, I wish to be a part of bringing such designers’ together, I wish to get close to you only if you will permit me. I will be most grateful to help bring together the young designers under a training, for know what we may be missing in this new design world, I wish to have a direct contact with you too.

At 7:53am on April 8, 2009, Hugh Fraser said…: I'm thinking.

while I'm travelling I'm thinking but then I'm not near a computer

I'm thinking

At 12:08pm on April 3, 2009, alexandra pama said…: love your line drawings...

At 4:59pm on March 13, 2009, Leading Architecture said…: That would be great - I will give you a call on Monday

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