Designing Ubuntu reveals the design and philosophy behind the award winning Ubuntu Centre, and the role of architecture in the transformation of a South African township. The book unveils the inspiring, challenging, and fascinating development of a “Township Architecture”.
When the building was complete and Hugh Masekela gave his unforgettable performance at the opening, we felt like we had to find a way to somehow share the magic beyond the streets of Zwide. And so the idea for Designing Ubuntu was born – we decided to write a book about what Bulali, one of the Ubuntu scholars, called, “a building that speaks”. The book opens up our sketchbooks, and shares the conversations, insights, realizations, and dreams that shaped the Ubuntu Centre.