EXPLORING THE HERITAGE QUALITIES IN INTERIOR DESIGN USING A MATERIAL APPROACH IN A SOUTH AFRICAN CONTEXT

Abstract

The fabric of South African cities is rich with culture, history, diversity and a complex multi-perspective view on our past and thus; the symbols of the past. Our built environment is the physical artefact that tells the story of South Africa’s past and thus it is our responsibility, as designers, to ensure its integrity is maintained while giving the building new life by embodying the diversity our country has to offer. South Africa has two issues occurring in the built environment; designers are either demolishing old buildings completely to build contemporary spaces with no soul and reflection on the past. Or; the old symbols of our past are becoming abandoned, neglected and desolate. Change needs to occur and designers need to realise the unspoken strength a heritage space can embody and learn how to captivate that for users to see and experience in a 21st century manner. This can only occur by designers researching and understanding the depth of heritage and realising that there are material and immaterial qualities to heritage and it is our job to capture them all materially. To uncover the true meaning of heritage, the researcher needed to explore theories to build the foundation of this paper and uncover what past designers believed defined heritage. The researcher was able to build on this discovery through interviewing local interior designers to gain a South African perspective and used a local example of an adapted heritage space to show designers the unlimited possibilities available when exploring and redesigning a heritage space. The researcher soon realised that while tangible heritage qualities were important; the depth intangible qualities offered would create a far more holistic, captivating space for users to experience with all their emotions. This is what it appeared users were searching for; a space where connections could be created and space that felt like it needed to be explored. A space that took the user on a journey and told a story. The user was craving a captivation of all their senses through the exploration of spaces and wanted their mind to be engaged both intellectually and emotionally. The researcher believes that the implications of the study will allow readers and designers to realise that there are so many layers to the concept of research beyond surface level. The researcher hopes designers stop viewing heritage as a hindrance but rather as an opportunity to create a harmonious coalition of the old and new – perfectly representing South Africa who overcame an awful past without tearing apart.