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Divergent Practice: Architecture as a Multidimensional Impact Tool in Rural Lesotho

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African Cities Through Local Eyes

Part of the book series: The Urban Book Series ((UBS))

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Abstract

This chapter outlines a framework for an interconnected, multi-tiered strategy linking architecture and development planning in the rural Lesotho town of Semonkong, using a hospital project as a case study. The concept of inverse planning is introduced, focused on small-scale strategies that challenge the scalar movement of influence, seeking to work from micro-scale systems and logistics towards macro-scale tiers of influence. The concept of socioecological infrastructure is also used as a core theoretical framework for process development and design strategies. The chapter outlines a rigorous community engagement rooted in the capability approach, and a structure tying it to the development of an underlying impact strategy using a process entitled POISE (possibilities, opportunities, indicators, support, and exit strategy). The chapter outlines the findings of research done to develop the impact strategy and it translates them into practicable actions and strategies. The project is reaching the construction phase, and further study will be needed post-construction to analyse the success or failure of the impact strategy fully. The chapter discusses the results thus far, and it reflects on ways they may influence the future work of architects in similar settings.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    The architectural team consists of Celtis Architects and Landscape Architects as the project coordinator, and Bantu Design and Research as lead designers and coordinators of the community engagement process. This chapter focuses on the architectural aspects of the projects, though it should be noted that a sizable team of engineering consultants is also involved.

  2. 2.

    This statement reflects a broad observation about general trends, but for some specific points of reference, see Chansomak and Vale (2009) or Bower (2017).

  3. 3.

    See, for example: MASS Design Group (2012) and Gantner (2015), though there are many others.

  4. 4.

    Measurements may be either quantitative (e.g. increase in average household income for labourers employed; number of new businesses born out of the construction process), or qualitative (e.g. perceived increase in community well-being).

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of the Witwatersrand, Jan Smuts Ave, Braamfontein, Johannesburg, South Africa

    Garret Gantner

  2. Bantu Design and Research, Johannesburg, South Africa

    Garret Gantner & Costanza La Mantia

  3. UN-Habitat, UN-Habitat Headquarters, UN Campus, United Nations Ave, Nairobi, Kenya

    Costanza La Mantia

Authors
  1. Garret Gantner
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  2. Costanza La Mantia
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Garret Gantner .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Faculty of Architecture La Cambre Horta, Brussels, Belgium

    Giuseppe Faldi

  2. Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Faculty of Architecture La Cambre Horta, Brussels, Belgium

    Axel Fisher

  3. Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Faculty of Architecture La Cambre Horta, Brussels, Belgium

    Luisa Moretto

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Gantner, G., La Mantia, C. (2021). Divergent Practice: Architecture as a Multidimensional Impact Tool in Rural Lesotho. In: Faldi, G., Fisher, A., Moretto, L. (eds) African Cities Through Local Eyes. The Urban Book Series. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-84906-1_7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-84906-1_7

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-84905-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-84906-1

  • eBook Packages: Social SciencesSocial Sciences (R0)

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