By: Mandisa Magwaza

The Urban Futures Centre (UFC) conducted its 13th seminar on Architecture on Thursday at the Durban University of Technology’s Steve Biko Campus.

The event, highlighted by informative architectural presentations, encompassed the study of renowned architect Derek Van Heerden’s recent works.

Heerden, the founder and owner of ‘Eastcoast Architects’ is an award-winning architect with four projects to his name including Seven Fountains primary school in Shayamoya, Kokstad and has lectured at both UKZN and DUT.

During the presentation he shared his past projects and revealed how they have inspired the youth to venture into architecture.

“Redesigning school spaces to improve learning and teaching in urban and rural areas has always been close to my heart. Building facilities for education was to bring about change and pupil’s voices to be heard,” he said.

He added that architecture students should not deviate from project that will empower the community because it is those projects that make one look back and realise that they have a made a difference in someone’s life.

Dennis Ochieng, DTech student in Information Technology said, “It was a wonderful presentation, an eye-opener as far as architecture designs are concerned in transforming our structures.”

It is important that successful architects stand out about the work done so it motivates upcoming architects to make a change.

“The presentation conveyed a message to each and every student and has encouraged analytical and creative thinking, however this was a great presentation and I learned a lot out of it,” said Architecture student Shawn de Villiers.

This practice shows the potential for how architectural intervention can be inclusive and can promote active citizenship design for use.