“We need to densify our inner city; with a strong emphasis on accommodation in all ranges.”
In this week’s voices of the city, we hear from local young architect Andrew Turpin.
Berlin, Germany streetscape
1. What about Cape Town inspires you the most?
I suppose ones everyday experiences within the city and its people inspire me most. Everything from the 90’s hip-hop playlists in the taxi on the way to Sea Point. The interactions with the checkout ladies at the local shop. The great cubicle graffiti that you find in some of Cape Towns finest establishments and mostly the brief interactions with the multitude of foreigners that Cape Town attracts
2. Do you have a secret space or place that you enjoy in the city?
Somewhere along Signal Hill. Lets just call it ‘the spot’.
3. What was the last exciting event you attended in the city?
Architectural Open Studio. A number of Cape Town architectural firms open their doors to the public. Allowing the average Joe to see the work that goes on around the city and the kinds of spaces we work in.
4. What frustrates you about the city?
The segregation of its people and the general city bowl building environment being dominated by private sector businesses and only exclusive living facilities. We need to densify our inner city; with a strong emphasis on accommodation in all ranges. Social housing and Lower and middle-income opportunities to own and rent.
5. You can have dinner with one person living or dead. Who is it and why?
Major cliché but probably my father’s father, purely because I never met him so would be great to know what kind of a character he was.
“The images represent both third and first world inner city built environments. We should take these cities as precedent in their density and how people of all classes accomodate and own their own little peace of the city. With more people come more opportunities.”
Amsterdam, Netherlands streetscape
Mumbai, India. streetscape
Image Credits :
- Andrew Turpin