This is a cross-post from the Point-Bluff thread. But the news is so exciting and this development could be such an iconic feature of Durban, I thought I had to cross-post here:
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I have a scoop, scoop, scoop!!!! Mike (and other passionate Durbanites), try not to pee in your pants like me when you read this. LOL!
Have any of you heard of ACCORD? "Who?", you ask? Well, the African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (ACCORD) is the organisation that have been promised the Bluff Headland for a proposed peace and conflict resolution centre. The center has received endorsements from amongst others, Mandela, Mbeki, Blair, Clinton, and Obesanjo (although Clinton's name doesn't apear on the current list, I have seen it there before).
Anyway, I have been periodically checking their website for more than 3 years, since their proposed centre was first mooted. They had a high profile international design competition for the centre a few years ago (submissions were received from throughout Africa) and since then nothing new was heard of the proposed centre or the winning design. Guess what?? It's been released and apparently the centre is to be built before 2010. Thus, Mike's challenge to find a way to link the point to the Buff is now not a moot point; it is real.
You're probably wondering about the design? Well, in short, it is simple but stunning.
But don't jump the gun yet. All will be revealed soon... (yes, I am a tease)
First, more about the ACCORD and the proposed centre. Then we talk designs...
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The African Century will be founded on Africa's ability to find solutions to her own challenges. Her challenges of conflict, of development, her search for peace. African solutions to African challenges. Out of this belief has grown the vision of an Africa Peace Center. A neutral site, in Africa, where the continent's leaders can forge a passage away from conflict and violence, and towards peace.
This is a vision shared by ACCORD – a vision of the African continent, as it should be – free of violence and economic dependency. Where the resolution of conflict leads to significant economic achievements and a better life for all her people.
ACCORD is an African non-governmental conflict management organisation, recognised by the United Nations as a model for conflict prevention and transformation in Africa:
A model based on the pillars of research, training, and intervention.
A model that has been tested and proven throughout Africa over the past decade.
A model for Conflict Management that will be institutionalised through our vision of the Africa Peace Centre.
The Africa Peace Centre will be a state-of-the-art complex which will act as a base for high level conflict intervention and continuous research and training. It will also incorporate a resource and documentation centre, a meeting and training centre, a conference venue, 80 guest residences and a number of VIP houses. The complex will also house the ACCORD offices.
The Africa Peace Centre vision has already received the support of key political, business and civil society leaders throughout Africa and the world. ACCORD has forged a partnership with the City of Durban to make the Centre a reality.
http://www.accord.org.za/centre/vision.htm
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Now the part we've all been waiting for: the design. In my opinion, it's really novel and unique, utilising the underground military bunkers, as well as light. The key elements of the design are described as "Wells of light, shafts of darkness, and a living museum." Pictures of the bunkers look the coolest. Surreal, in my opinion. Also, renders of the development show massive spikes of light at the head of the Bluff that will form part of the feature. They seem to dwarf the Millennium Tower and should look *amazing* at night.
Also, the proposed gardens are not called the "Africa Freedom Park" but the Gardens of Reconciliation. Key components of this feature are: "Generous lawn and seating space; Amphitheatre; Water and stage, and Restaurants." The design looks amazing. There seems to be a long, elevated walkway.
Now, for the part you've been all been waiting for (yes, I'm a tease, I already told you so :banana
: the design and renders. Check out these links (I recommend you read descriptions first):
THE VISION OF THE CENTRE
Renders here include:
- those massive spikes of light at the end of the Bluff; and
- stunning and surreal never-before-seen publically-released actual pics of the military bunkers [I hope they leave as is].
http://www.accord.org.za/centre/vision.htm
THE DESIGN
Renders here include:
- The exterior and interior designs of the center (which look amazing and original, in my opinion)
http://www.accord.org.za/centre/design.htm
THE GARDENS OF RECONCILIATION
Renders here include:
- A repeat render of those spikey light features at the head of the Bluff
- Renders of a massive elevated bridge / pathway through the center, on the North-facing side of the Bluff (imagine the views of the city and harbour from there! I think that is the intended effect)
- An amphitheatre leading to a water feature of sorts
- overall floorplan of the centre, including depth of the centre
http://www.accord.org.za/centre/gardens.htm
DETAILS OF THE SITE ITSELF:
http://www.accord.org.za/centre/site.htm
OVERALL SCHEMATIC PLAN FOR NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN DURBAN
This page describes itself as: "The above plan identifies current and future Durban landmarks and illustrates how the Centre will integrate with other key attractions and functional parts of the Durban landscape."
http://www.accord.org.za/centre/durban.htm
Enjoy!
(Mike, you can exhale now)