Open standard building in South Africa: new concepts, strategies and technologies

Abstract

The notion of “open building” arose out of a counter movement within the Congrès Internationaux d’Architecture Moderne (CIAM) to the promotion of modern mass housing theories in post-First World War Europe. The opponents argued that the "closedness” of the structures prohibited adaptation over time. This paper constructs a framework for developing, validating, and applying Open Standard Building in South Africa. The paper finds that Open Standard Building concepts, strategies and technologies can deliver buildings that are more responsive to occupants’ desires and their changing needs over time