The everyday and the event: re-imagining the urban industrial event space of Pilditch stadium by Danielle Labuscagne
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Abstract:
This dissertation follows two complementary areas of investigation. First, the study explores place making in the industrial area of Pretoria West. Second, investigating Pilditch Stadium and the adjacent Tshwane showgrounds, the project critiques and questions the mono-functional nature of the existing sports and event facilities. Pilditch stadium, located in Pretoria West, currently functions, on occasion, as a "transient space for sport fans and sportsmen/-women" (Gunter 2011:76). When the stadium is not used, it becomes a non-place and returns to an introverted and isolated state. Similarly the Tshwane Showgrounds, located next to Pilditch Stadium, only function as temporary event space. In an attempt to expose the usually introverted aspects of sporting events within Pilditch Stadium into the public terrain, the intention is to create places for everyday rituals that can be used by locals, as well as place for larger sporting events that will bring visitors from further afield. This proposal will attempt to introduce a new state; a permanent civic space accompanied by production spaces. The aim is to diversify and enhance the functions on site, in order to celebrate the 'everyday' and to re-imagine the site as a public place. Although this dissertation proposes an urban design framework for the Pretoria West precinct, the focus of this dissertation will be on the North-western edge of Pilditch stadium itself. The proposed building intervention will explore place making and event space within the stadium precinct.