Knysna Trip

Although being convincingly behind on work and needing desperately to catch some wind in my sails as far as design is concerned, two friends and myself left a few days early before our entire class to catch a small breather of a weekend to catch back some sanity that had been lost. We did in fact do some research and some design work while we were down in Plettenberg bay on our excursion. Not much to be honest, but more than average. We even got to fit in a few rounds of golf, which was much needed as well.

 Although the weekend was not about all that. The point of the B-tech trip was to learn of Sustainable architecture and leaving a smaller carbon footprint. Which to be honest, Was brilliant. To learn how and what can be done with so little and a bit of initiative is mind blowing. The women who did every thing was quite cool as well, with her home grown herbs underneath the decking, HAHA.

Although the trip was a much bigger bonding session than we all realised. which made the trip even more special. To learn and see a side of people we would have never in the labs here at varsity 

It was also awesome what Mr. Pansegrouw and Hansie did for all of us, in the fact of how they didn't just take time out of there own life's, but took time away from there families and work for us, which in by itself is incredible. Would have been awesome to have had the rest of our lectures there with us, but hey. What can we do. I think this trip should be done every semester.

 Da Hansie & Da Panse

The second venue we saw on our trip after a good night, was Theusen Island. Named after the family which Founded Knysna. This island is a bit of a 2 way street in the fact how it is brilliant how it generated so much local employment and raised so much revenue for the town. How ever, the entire island only caters to the quite extreme rich and wealthy, which is not what i feel is what Knysna is about. Although having a stature of a upmarket and prime location Knysna is, its not what it portrays as you go through town. It is a culture deep town and full of marine life. Although who am i to comment.

 But the on location Architecture firm did do an amazing development. Especially the hotel, 'the Turbine'. the old saw mill factory converted into a hotel is breath taking from an architectural stand point of view. How they Incorporated old manufacturing plant machinery into the structure, and used is as a point of art to complement the structure. All in all, my over all perception of the Theusen Island development is brilliant and there is no other word for it what Chris Mulder and Eugene had done for this place.

Theausen Island, From Pezula Golf Resort & Spa