Joe Slovo West Community Project

We are a 20-people student group of the Faculty of Architecture and Design. Directed by Prof. Silke Flaßnöcker and Kevin Kimwelle, we are planning and building "green" extensions for small residential houses in townships near Port Elizabeth, currently under construction for families in need as part of the South African housing program.

Our vision We are passionate to give residents in underprivileged societies a chance to make their own ideas of future become true. Involving the local community, local universities and supporters, we actively pursue the design and implementation of our beneficiaries own initiatives. Our close cooperation within the international team ensures the sustainability of our project, triggering further development as a demonstration unit.

Our goal We create space for small business units, thus promoting clever ideas of local entrepreneurs who – apart from making their own living - create training or leisure facilities, therefore helping to improve the general quality of life in the township. Using mainly recycled materials, the small units demonstrate how building on a tight budget and limited ressources becomes feasible. As a potential „way out“ of dependency and hopelessness, their value reaches far beyond the township of Joe Slovo West, inspiring others to develop their own creative ideas.

News Currently we are planning the next extensions in Joe Slovo West. A place of worship, a gym and a kiosk are jointly planned and will be implemented in South Africa, starting in February 2018, together with our fellow students from Cape Town and Port Elizabeth.