A monograph on leading South African architecture studio SAOTA.

South African architecture studio SAOTA is led by Stefan Antoni, Philip Olmesdahl, Greg Truen, Phillippe Fouche, Logen Gordon and Mark Bullivant, and has designed luxury residential and commercial projects on six continents. With reference to South African Modernism, and a grounding in the International style, its projects take advantage of wildly beautiful settings, and are rooted in place by the relationship between the building and its site. The studio cites spirit of enquiry and close examination of function and form as hallmarks of its work, as well as the use of the most current technology, including virtual reality, in its design processes.

This monograph features twenty-three recent residential projects from around the world, with a particular focus on Africa, illustrated with colour photography and including a foreword by Reni Folawiyo, and project texts written by the studio.

Amid evictions, raids, killings, the drug trade, and fire, inner-city Johannesburg residents seek safety and a home. A grandmother struggles to keep her granddaughter as she is torn away from her. A mother seeks healing in the wake of her son’s murder. And displaced by a city’s drive for urban regeneration, a group of blind migrants try to carve out an existence.

The Blinded City recounts the history of inner-city Johannesburg from 2010 to 2019, primarily from the perspectives of the unlawful occupiers of spaces known as hijacked buildings, bad buildings or dark buildings. Tens of thousands of residents, both South African and foreign national, live in these buildings in dire conditions. This book tells the story of these sites, and the court cases around them, ones that strike at the centre of who has the right to occupy the city.

In February 2010, while Johannesburg prepared for the FIFA World Cup, the South Gauteng High Court ordered the eviction of the unlawful occupiers of an abandoned carpet factory on Saratoga Avenue and that the city’s Metropolitan Municipality provide temporary emergency accommodation for the evicted. The case, which became known as Blue Moonlight and went to the Constitutional Court, catalysed a decade of struggles over housing and eviction in Johannesburg.

The Blinded City chronicles this case, among others, and the aftermath – a tumultuous period in the city characterised by recurrent dispossessions, police and immigration operations, outbursts of xenophobic violence, and political and legal change. All through the decade, there is the backdrop of successive mayors and their attempts to ‘clean up’ the city, and the struggles of residents and urban housing activists for homes and a better life.

The interwoven narratives present a compelling mosaic of life in post-apartheid Johannesburg, one of the globe’s most infamous and vital cities.

Now revised, this book takes a unique look ‘inside’ 29 of Cape Town’s most notable buildings. If you have ever wondered what lies behind an interesting facade, or wished you could peek behind a closed door, Hidden Cape Town is the book for you. The author and photographer have collaborated to reveal the artworks and architectural secrets that lie behind the doors of some wellknown, and lesser known, landmark buildings in and around the ‘Mother City’. These buildings are part of our collective heritage, reflecting the myriad cultural influences that have shaped our country. These ‘hidden’ interiors include the Sendinggestig Museum, South African National Library, City Hall, Palm Tree Mosque, Welgelegen, the Royal Observatory, Bertram House, the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of St George, Groote Schuur, the Old Synagogue and the officer’s mess of the Cape Town Rifles (‘The Dukes’).

In 1834, Sir John Herschel, perhaps the most celebrated astronomer of his time, arrived at the Cape of Good Hope to spend four years observing the southern sky.

Among his many other talents he was an accomplished artist, skilled in the use of an optical device known as a camera lucida. During these four years Herschel produced more than a hundred exquisite landscape sketches, some depicting the Feldhausen estate in the suburb of Wynberg, where he and his family lived, others meticulously recording scenes that enlivened his trips to Cape Point, to Table Mountain, to Hout Bay and to places in the farther reaches. Among the latter were Caledon, Franschhoek, Stellenbosch and Paarl.

These Herschel landscape drawings are an almost unmatched contribution to the artistic and historical record of the Cape in the early nineteenth century. They are reproduced in this title, together with a narrative text and background material that firmly set the illustrations in their social and geographical context. The result is an evocative picture of the Cape Peninsula and its environs at a time when they were still largely wild.

Since 1994 South Africa has undergone a steady erosion of its indigenous built environment, with a concomitant loss of indigenous building technology and its specialised terminology. This glossary is based on the premise that you cannot understand the culture of a people unless you have a grasp of the nuances and hidden meanings of their language and brings together in one single volume the terminologies that are used by southern Africa's rural builders. It covers the terminology used by indigenous builders as well as subsequent colonial white settlers including buildings of the so-called Cape Dutch, English Georgian, Victorian and Indian Traditions. The text is set out in alphabetical order. It comprises of each term in its original language, its translation where appropriate into isiZulu, and its definition in English and isiZulu. One of the strengths of this book is its visual component of accompanying sketches that expertly illustrate the terms. This book is designed not only to assist in the teaching of architecture, but also to aid others who are interested in the field. Researchers and practitioners in disciplines such as anthropology, archaeology, culture studies and building science will find it a valuable addition to their libraries.

This volume is the first text to focus specifically on the archaeology of domestic architecture. Covering major theoretical and methodological developments over recent decades in areas like social institutions, settlement types, gender, status, and power, this book addresses the developing understanding of where and how people in the past created and used domestic space. It will be a useful synthesis for scholars and an ideal text for advanced undergraduate and graduate courses in archaeology and architecture. The book-covers the relationship of architectural decisions of ancient peoples with our understanding of social and cultural institutions;-includes cases from every continent and all time periods-- from the Paleolithic of Europe to present-day African villages;-is ideal for the growing number of courses on household archaeology, social archaeology, and historical and vernacular architecture.

The landmark of many cities is the cathedral. Some had their beginnings as monastic buildings, have stood for nearly a thousand years, and remain essential icons, or even emblems, of a city's character. Yet not all cathedrals look alike, and indeed these buildings were often the pioneers of new architecture as it developed over the centuries. Here, Cathedral Architecture takes the reader on a journey through time, enjoying the architectural experience of the styles of the Normans, Early English, Decorated Gothic, Perpendicular Gothic, and English Renaissance through to modern day. A beautifully illustrated guide featuring many of Britain's best-loved cathedrals.

Quantum City explores the metaphorical relationships between quantum theory, urban design and the concept of the city, with a very serious aim: to radically change the way the urban realm is both experienced and designed.Using the terminology and themes of quantum theory and the 'new physics', the author draws the reader into an intriguing discussion of the principles, practices and operations of urbanism. This new language offers the missing interface between the different disciplines of the city, and promises to be a potent metaphor for the development of various theories for the 21st century city.Challenging traditional approaches to the theory of cities, this thought-provoking book will be enjoyed by both design professionals and anyone interested in the city, its history and culture.

A glorious illustrated history of sixteen of the world's greatest cathedrals, interwoven with the extraordinary stories of the people who built them. 'An impeccable guide to the golden age of ecclesiastical architecture' The Times 'Vivid, colourful and absorbing' Dan Jones 'An epic ode to some of our most beautiful and beloved buildings' Helen Carr The emergence of the Gothic in twelfth-century France, an architectural style characterized by pointed arches, rib vaults, flying buttresses, large windows and elaborate tracery, triggered an explosion of cathedral-building across western Europe. It is this remarkable flowering of ecclesiastical architecture that forms the central core of Emma Wells's authoritative but accessible study of the golden age of the cathedral. Prefacing her account with the construction in the sixth century of the Hagia Sophia, the remarkable Christian cathedral of the eastern Roman empire, she goes on to chart the construction of a glittering sequence of iconic structures, including Saint-Denis, Notre-Dame, Canterbury, Chartres, Salisbury, York Minster and Florence's Duomo. More than architectural biographies, these are human stories of triumph and tragedy that take the reader from the chaotic atmosphere of the mason's yard to the cloisters of power. Together, they reveal how 1000 years of cathedral-building shaped modern Europe, and influenced art, culture and society around the world.

It was love at first sight. We drove up the long track, pulled into the yard, and wow! What a view. I did the drawings myself, the maximum we were told (in those days) about what one could get away with in terms of planning permission. A local architect did the formal drawings and submitted them for planning permission. I did not intend to do the work myself, it simply happened by circumstance. I put the groundwork out to tender to six contractors. Only one bothered to reply and the quotation was astronomic. The steelwork looked very complicated, but I went to the structural engineer's office in Gloucester to chat about it. I asked: 'It looks complicated, but could I do this myself?' Peter Rowntree was very reassuring. 'It looks complicated because you are looking at it in its entirety. Let me show you this corner here.' And he then explained how the steels fitted together and how one wired them up. After a quarter of an hour, he summarised by saying 'Yes, you could do it.' And I did! Working only on Saturdays, and even then, not every Saturday, it took me seven years to complete it to a point where we could move into the extension. I was extremely sad to leave Hydefield and putting this book together has been cathartic. I was tremendously proud of what I managed to build and have wanted to produce this photo book to bring back the memories of every little achievement.

Was Britain's postwar rebuilding the height of mid-century chic or the concrete embodiment of crap towns? John Grindrod decided to find out how blitzed, slum-ridden and crumbling austerity Britain became, in a few short years, a space-age world of concrete, steel and glass. What he finds is a story of dazzling space-age optimism, ingenuity and helipads - so many helipads - tempered by protests, deadly collapses and scandals that shook the government.

The Life Eclectic is a stunning interiors book that celebrates the individuality of eclectic decorating styles through 15 homes of creatives from around the world. Featuring homes of the world's most well-respected creatives, including Studio MacLean, Manfredi della Gherardesca and Martin Brudnizki, The Life Eclectic is a celebration of individuality, and embracing the joy that fluidity in taste can bring. How often have you leafed through an interiors book and wondered how you might be able to recreate the eclectic, joyful and chic style of famed designers, when your mis-match belongings seem to juxtapose in all the wrong ways? The Life Eclectic is an interiors book that through carefully selected case studies of homes from the UK, US, Australia, France and Denmark, shows how highly regarded designers, artists, gallerists and writers curate their treasured (and varied) possessions to glorious effect.

Pillar boxes were first introduced into Britain at the instigation of Anthony Trollope, the novelist, who was also a Post Office surveyor. Although many letter boxes are ordinary, some types, such as those that survive from the 1850s, are understandably rare. This book describes and illustrates some of those from the Channel Islands, where pillar boxes were first introduced in 1852, to Scotland, which has had its own design of letter boxes since the Queen's accession in 1952, and from the heart of London to the depths of rural Wales and the Irish Republic.

'Ought to become a classic. It is an enshrinement of [Meades's] intense baroque and catholic cleverness' Roger Lewis, The Times 'One of the foremost prose stylists of his age in any register . . . Probably we don't deserve Meades, a man who apparently has never composed a dull paragraph' Steven Poole, Guardian 'There are more gems in this wonderful book than I could cram into a dozen of these columns' Simon Heffer, Daily Telegraph 'Such a useful and important critic . . . He is very much on the reader's side, bringing his full wit to bear on every single thing he writes' Nicholas Lezard, Spectator This landmark publication collects three decades of writing from one of the most original, provocative and consistently entertaining voices of our time. Anyone who cares about language and culture should have this book in their life. Thirty years ago, Jonathan Meades published a volume of reportorial journalism, essays, criticism, squibs and fictions called Peter Knows What Dick Likes. The critic James Wood was moved to write: 'When journalism is like this, journalism and literature become one.' Pedro and Ricky Come Again is every bit as rich and catholic as its predecessor. It is bigger, darker, funnier and just as impervious to taste and manners. It bristles with wit and pin-sharp eloquence, whether Meades is contemplating northernness in a German forest or hymning the virtues of slang. From the indefensibility of nationalism and the ubiquitous abuse of the word 'iconic', to John Lennon's shopping lists and the wine they call Black Tower, the work assembled here demonstrates Meades's unparalleled range and erudition, with pieces on cities, artists, sex, England, France, concrete, faith, politics, food, history and much, much more.

One of the more appealing ways to obtain the house of your dreams is to buy a stand and have it built according to your own requirements. South African House Plans 2 is a book for people who plan to build their homes or just wish to browse for ideas. It features 121 house plans ranging from 45 to 566 m2 and contains many different architectural styles. The inclusion of 3D renderings differentiates this title from the first and provides a novel way for builders to better envision their future home. The plans are aimed at the local market and comply with South African building regulations and conditions. All the plans have been designed by qualified and, in some instances, award-winning architects. The plans featured in the title can be purchased on the website www.inhouseplans.com.

This title discusses the work of two of the most eminent contemporary British architects, Edward Jones and Sir Jeremy Dixon. With distinguished careers spanning four decades, their works separately and, since 1989, in partnership range from the Royal Opera House in London to Mississauga City Hall in Canada and from the Henry Moore Institute in Leeds to the Business School for Oxford University. Although they have built throughout the UK, it is to London above all that Dixon Jones have devoted their energies - and it is on London that they have made the greatest impact. Some of the capital's most important public buildings - the Royal Opera House, the National Portrait Gallery, the courtyard of Somerset House - have been given a new life by their deft interventions, transforming what were previously somewhat austere institutions into vital and valued components of the public realm. In this publication, the buildings and projects of Jeremy Dixon and Edward Jones, from their student days to the present, are fully documented with drawings, photographs and essays by critics and clients, as well as comments by the architects. Alan Colquhoun, Robert Maxwell and Kenneth Powell provide an in-depth critical interpretation while Sir Jeremy Isaacs and Charles Saumarez Smith - clients for the Royal Opera House and National Portrait Gallery respectively - offer a unique insight into the process of working with Dixon Jones.

'Neil Oliver writes beautifully - letting us see ourselves in a new light.' - Professor Alice Roberts 'Oliver is an evocative storyteller, vividly bringing his tales to life' BBC History Magazine ......................................................................................................................................................................... For longer than recorded history there have been tales of spirits and of places where our hackles rise and our skin turns cold. Bestselling historian Neil Oliver travels the British Isles on a deliciously spine-chilling tour that spans several centuries and explores more than 20 sites - castles, vicarages and towers, lonely shorelines and forgotten battlefields - to unpick their stories.. Oliver invokes his family's history alongside that of kings and queens past as he probes why our emotions and senses are heightened in certain locations where the separation between dimensions seems gossamer thin. Our landscape is riven with these places, creaking from the weight of the secrets they hold, the echoes of tragedy and dark deeds . From Inverness to Devon, Co Dublin to Norfolk, Hauntings casts an enjoyably eerie glow with stories that, told generation after generation, are inextricable from place - and considers why they matter.