Co-Design Workshop
12 November 2013
08h30 – 16h00
Summary report

• World Design Capital 2014
– is an opportunity to showcase the power of design and design-thinking in addressing social challenges
• Co design workshops
– bring together a large number of different stakeholders to co-create a proposed solution to defined problem statements
• City of Cape Town hosts workshops
– to better understand user needs
– get stakeholder buy-in
– establish key principles
– ensure an improved, robust proposed solution

• Good Hope Centre
– is a strategic City asset which has great potential to serve the city well
– is perceived as a burden to ratepayers, due to high maintenance costs
• There are many interested stakeholders with different ideas of what could or should happen at
GHC
The setting is ideal for a co-design workshop!

• Designed by internationally renowned structural engineer and architect, Pier Luigi Nervi
• Built in 1976
• Best known for its unique domed roof (largest of its kind in the world)

• Well located in Cape Town’s CBD
• Close proximity to
– the primary transport interchange
– important public spaces – City Hall, Grand Parade, Central library
– the design and innovation district in the eastern city precinct
(linked to the Fringe Initiative)
• Used by various organisations, community groups and event companies to host exhibits, conferences, meetings, community gatherings, and sports and cultural events

Some of the events that happen in GHC throughout the year
• Gym for Life
• Indoor Hockey Tournament
• Career and training expo
• Cape Malay Choirs
• Expo for Young Scientists
• Hip Hop Indaba
• Pick ‘n Pay Cape Argus Cycle
Tour Expo
• Shoprite Topstars competition
• Toughest Fire Fighter competition
• Film shoot
• Training days (all year)
• Spring Queen
• Gospel concerts (all year)
• Big Walk registration
• Jazz Festival
Booked for more than 150 days of the year…
• Variety concerts

Civic
Centre
Train
Station
Bus terminus/
Taxi rank
Grand
Parade
City
Hall
Central library
Cape
Town
Castle
Good Hope Centre
District Six
Eastern city precinct
CPUT

• High maintenance costs are an increasing burden
(specialised expertise required for lead roof)
• Great potential of GHC to be a key social asset has not yet been optimally realised
• Many ideas and proposals for future use - need to be integrated into a broader plan for managing, maintaining and rationalising GHC

• To re-imagine how GHC could be utilized into the future, coming up with several innovative proposals to position the centre as a viable social asset.

Users – as per Good
Hope Centre facility contact list
Various designers who have worked in the area
Organisations with an urban/
Cape Town focus
Interested persons – as per Subcouncil contact list
Property owners – as per City building database

*
*based on WDC co-design methodology developed for ward projects.
Further information available on request.

Constantly shifting, diverse small groups went through a defined design thinking process to unpack the problem statement, identify opportunities and establish principles.
These were synthesised into physical models which represent the needs and desires of stakeholders .

1976
Iconic building for Cape Town.
Named ‘Nervi Centre’ (after the
Italian architect). Controversy over money spent (should have gone to housing!).
Names: Hot Cross Bun/Ouma se
Hoed
The Demise
Grand West and CTICC – GHC lost its traffic
Events have gone elsewhere (poor general hygiene/unattractive surroundings/limited parking/poor public transport)
Reality disconnect re usage (bad reputation)
New public transport interchange is a plus
Name: Good Hope resonate well
Iconic in terms of navigation/orientation and history
Is a knuckle between many facilities but is not being used as such
1976 80s – 90s 2000s
Golden Era (80s and 90s)
Cape Town’s pride. Eclectic range of events. Developed exciting personality. Highly versatile.
Used to be ‘the place to go’ by all communities (very inclusive) - economic and physical accessibility. Accessible cultural resonance. Community events, e.g.: Cape Malay choirs etc./Spring Queen
Sports (international and local): boxing, netball, ice hockey, skating, gymnastics, dancing
Music: Big Concerts, first international Jazz Festival
Expos: Design for Living, Cape Argus Expo (late 90s)
Political rallies (early 90s)

• Perception (run-down/under-utilised/limited facilities/competition)
• Hasn’t stayed with the time (lack of infrastructure, equipment, lighting, décor etc.)
• Appearance (internal and external)
• Physical form (ambiguous / urban integration / high maintenance)
• Major maintenance and infrastructural improvement required
• Infrastructural deterioration and associated costs
• Maintenance [dark/leaking roof/dated/interiors dead/signage
(in/out interface)]
*Ideas are grouped by similar theme. ‘Idea cards’ are ordered in descending order according to priority (assigned by voting by participants)

(cont.)
• Access (pedestrian/vehicle/internal/parking)
• Accessibility and lack of integration
Under-utilisation
Marketing and management
Uninviting environment – depressing, repelling, un-integrated into surroundings
2013 version of GHC doesn’t meet needs of 2013
*Ideas are grouped by similar theme. ‘Idea cards’ are ordered in descending order according to priority (assigned by voting by participants)

• Redesign of focal point and access
• More attractive pedestrian routes from major nodes. Consider activation of linkages (i.e.: Open Streets). High density residential within close proximity
• Redesign infrastructure to connect buildings to surrounds
• Equip to cater to strategically identified events and design appropriate infrastructure upgrade
• Event hosting (parking/bulk build up/commercialisation / upgrade and maintenance)
• Revamp around specialised functions (sports, events, corporate)
Visioning: integrate and upgrade /facelift precinct + building – new skin to outside/inside)
Chameleon (easy to adapt), location, visibility, character , billboard advertising
*Ideas are grouped by similar theme. ‘Idea cards’ are ordered in descending order according to priority (assigned by voting by participants)

(cont.)
Partnerships (intrinsic properties/types of event optimisation/ develop strategy/ event board)
• Physical revamp linked to a contemporary image (NB: communicate with public around necessity)
• retrofit (access/backstage/auditorium/leaks/internal traffic)
• Infrastructural reconfiguration and systematic maintenance
Blank canvas; Affordability; Memory and history
Championing Good Hope! Community inclusion and cohesion.
Committed movers and shakers (need a good maintenance programme). Training and communication
*Ideas are grouped by similar theme. ‘Idea cards’ are ordered in descending order according to priority (assigned by voting by participants)

Groups had a chance to capture ideas and visions, and illustrate their collective dream for GHC through a collage.

(cont.)
All the collages were different, but similar concepts - community engagement, additional facilities, beautiful spaces, spatially connected, ICON of
CT.

INTEGRATE THE CENTRE BETTER INTO ITS CONTEXT (spatially and environmentally)
• The design should integrate with environment and context, and consider green/sustainability considerations
• Ecosystem – context, green, economy
• The design should be integrated to ensure sustainability
• The solution should connect to surroundings
CENTRE MUST REMAIN A COMMUNITY ASSET
• We must make sure that it retains its unique character and the community-centricity is maintained
• Community centric
• We should prevent demolition or privatisation

(cont.)
BE DELIBERATE IN RETAINING PURPOSE
• The structure should be true to its function as an event venue
• We should prevent design over purpose
• The design should be multi-purpose and mixed use (24/7)
THE CENTRE MUST BE ICONIC AND FOSTER PRIDE
• We should make sure that the look and feel creates pride to its users and city
• The design should rekindle the icon (imaginative/iconic; attract people; link to surroundings; maximise usage and footfall)
• We should prevent hostile perception and aesthetic/leakage/from becoming unaffordable
• Must have the WOW factor – experiential (feel Cape Town), technology, design, local offering

(cont.)
REDESIGN AND FUTURE USE SHOULD BE INCLUSIVE AND ENSURE
PARTNERSHIPS
• We must make sure that there is a consultative, inclusive design
• Partnership and co-design
THE CENTRE NEEDS TO BE FINANCIALLY VIABLE
• Design should ensure financial viability and inclusivity (e.g.: community use) by generating income through permanent tenants and users.
• We must make sure that design is sustainable, inclusive and accessible (real and universal), considers cross-subsidisation and income generation

(cont.)
THE CENTRE’S DESIGN AND ACTIVITIES SHOULD PROMOTE
SUSTAINABILITY
• We must make sure that design is sustainable, inclusive and accessible (real and universal), considers cross-subsidisation and income generation
• The design should be integrated to ensure sustainability
THE CENTRE SHOULD BE A PLACE THAT PEOPLE COME TO AND PASS
THROUGH
• The design should be multi-purpose and mixed use (24/7)
• The solution should connect to surroundings
IMPLEMENTATION SHOULD BE INCREMENTAL
• Phased approach

•
•
– Addressing the problems listed
– Inspired by the opportunities identified
– Guided by the design principles
•

Group 1
Rooftop ‘air’ café and viewing deck
Revamp middle section
Glass roof over ‘old lady’
Keep integrity of old building but add layers to it
Student accommodation on the perimeter
New section with parking direct off the freeway
Greening of the streets and walkways
Pedestrian pavement and interesting entrance
‘Entrance’ to District Six

Group 2
Trading spaces at pedestrian level
There needs to be a
‘destination’ to come to, not just parking
Mixed use tower with accommodation and restaurant
Pedestrian friendly (south and north sides) – more permeable spaces
The new ‘Oxford Circus’
Park and ride site (must be able to convert into accommodation as needed)

Group 3
Mixed use tower – overflow offices, conference facilities
South and west edges
– permeable for
Reconfigure parking for bus access pedestrian access (link
Grand Parade/City
Hall)
Production access at north to use back end optimally
Keep integrity of arches, but ‘add to’ with something interesting
Greenery/softening of edges – make space inviting and people friendly
Flags to show activity
Rooftop restaurant
Blimp to advertise
Water feature
– to energise

Group 4
Highly visual entrance.
Signage + public art
Vegetable garden/vertical farm to supply restaurant/café
Glass roof to bring in light and ‘open up’ building
Mixed use building – parking below, residential and offices in between, café on top
Green wall
Wallclimbing/abseiling
Colour on the roads to guide people to the right place

Group 5
Viewing areas and sky bar
Greening (with water catchment – greywater system on roof)
Lighting is important
Key principle: about how people get there , e.g.: sky walk
Public art, LED lighting, garden, water features, open entrance
Signage important
Discouraging people driving – they should be walking
Eco-experimental playground for testing prototypes Wind energy

• What is the PURPOSE of the building?
• What has city NOT got? What does it need?
• Do not demolish, but FIX (‘add to’ rather than remove)
• Needs a strong business model
• Lean on existing frameworks
• Needs a transversal approach (but someone to take ownership)
• Phased approach will work best

• Access is vital
• Need to think about how people get there
• Transport interchange will be important driver
• Look at feasibility of parking and tall buildings
• Communicate plans to the public (demonstrate progress)
• Look at clues in models for what people want
• Partnerships are important – need to adhere to design principles
• Need vision to guide movement forward (rather than WHOLE picture)

• Abridged report is disseminated to all stakeholders via CCT website
• Summarised report presented to Executive Management
Team in new year
• Summarised report presented to Mayco in new year
• Report presented to Tourism, Events and Marketing Portfolio
Committee in new year
• Portfolio Committee to give guidance as to preferred way forward