Framing discussion on potential forms of relationship between the constructed and natural environment

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    Project entry 2014 Africa Middle East – Machinarium: Regenerative urban catalyst and textile production, Pretoria, South Africa

    Skills training and fashion workshops encourage community participation and cultural expression.

The 21st century, frequently termed the post-industrial era, is marked by the devastating consequences of unsustainable industrial production, unlimited consumption, and boundless waste. The proposed scheme from Pretoria redefines understandings of industry by proposing a new system of resource exchanges between specific production processes. 

Last updated: June 29, 2015 Pretoria, South Africa

The 21st century, frequently termed the post-industrial era, is marked by the devastating consequences of unsustainable industrial production, unlimited consumption, and boundless waste. The proposed scheme from Pretoria redefines understandings of industry by proposing a new system of resource exchanges between specific production processes.

The submitted design, for example, explores synergies between a textile manufacturing facility, agricultural fields, and a sewage treatment plant to create what the author calls a Machinarium of mutually interrelated systems and subsystems, all working together to create a sustainable environment.

The project thereby explores new architectural typologies which may transform the future of cities. Industry becomes a regenerative urban catalyst that blurs present-day distinctions between social, productive, and natural space.

Read project feature in 4th Holcim Awards 2014/2015 (flip-book)