TAGLINE
reclaim space. reclaim safety. reclaim rights
THE SITE
a recognised gender-based violence (GBV) hotspot in orange farm’s drieziek 5
the identified corner sits on an empty plot of land that had become a dumping spot for garbage at night it was a dark place with no working street lights and minimal human activity all of this played a part in increasing chances of violent- and criminal behaviour
- amnesty international south africa -
THE BRIEF
reclaim the space produce a landmark where community members can sit and find shade and light
where conversations can be had
where small theatre productions can be held
where children can play, and
where grandparents can watch
create signage that offers human rights education
- on the root causes of gender-based violence and gender equality
- a QR code which leads residents to a hub of resources
finding legal and counselling services for victims and survivors of GBV
- amnesty international south africa -
THE IDEA
shine a light on the high levels of violence against women in orange farm disrupt the GBV hotspot and transform it into a safe space where residents can come together to host dialogues on solutions to addressing the high levels of violence against women in the area
- amnesty international south africa -
MATERIALS
the material palette was kept local to orange farm
- and purchased from the local hardware -
bagged brick for the seating telephone poles for the structure shutter ply for signage bards and buckets upon buckets of pink paint all signage was designed and hand-painted by the community-members
PROGRAMME
this small structure is designed to offer the community:
a landmark, a meeting spot, a study space, a play park, an informal theatre, a dance hall the magic of the pink spot lies in the genius of its inhabitants
SOLUTIONS
architectural solutions to safety in public areas such as this corner are not architectural they are human; they are community it is is the architect’s role to help catalyse the community into occupying and cherishing the space in the case of the pink spot, the architectural stimulants are: height, colour, light, wifi, seating, shade but this is ultimately a building commissioned by the community, designed with the community, built by the community
CLIENTS
the clients are young activists from orange farm
part of amnesty international south africa’s digital disruptors project
the majority of the disruptors have experienced and/or witnessed the pain that comes with abuse the activists requested community consultations to ensure the structure had the buy-in of residents
- amnesty international south africa -
HOW IS THE BUILDING UNIQUE?
the pink spot is a unique response to transforming a recognised GBV hotspot in orange farm to a safe place its bright pink aesthetic offers a place of hope in what was previously a place of crime and violence residents were invited to volunteer on the construction of the installation to ensure it was community-led the insanely fast two-week construction time demonstrated that change is possible when people unite on a similar goal
- amnesty international south africa -
SUSTAINABILITY
there can be no form of sustainable world without women CLOSING THOUGHT each time a woman stands up for herself without knowing it possibly, without claiming it, she stands up for all women
- maya angelou -
