Structure #1
1 queen size mattress, 1 plastic trolly, 5 sheets of composite wood, 8 cardboard boxes, 14 stones, 19 bricks, 14m² of black plastic sheeting 1 plastic crate, 2 plastic drums and 1 security fence.
Structure #1
1 queen size mattress, 1 plastic trolly, 5 sheets of composite wood, 8 cardboard boxes, 14 stones, 19 bricks, 14m² of black plastic sheeting 1 plastic crate, 2 plastic drums and 1 security fence.
Structure #2
1 plastic tabletop, 5 plastic crates, 4 blankets, 3 carpets, 1m² of astroturf, 5 kitchen cupboard doors, 1 bollard, 6 timber planks, 14 bricks or stones, 2 woven plastic carry bags, 30 wooden pegs and a 6 lane highway with reinforced concrete column.
Structure #3
5 plastic crates, 1 plastic bin, 7 cupboard doors, 6 sheets of medium density fibreboard or similar, 2 sheets of polystyrene sheeting, 12m² of plastic sheeting, 7 cardboard boxes, 2 mop sticks and a single lane flyover with reinforced concrete column.
Structure #4
1 cast iron fence with spikes, 20m² of black and clear plastic sheeting, 2 timber planks, 4 sheets of composite wood, 5 cardboard boxes, 12 stones or bricks, 1 steel-framed chair.
Structure #5
15m² of clear plastic sheeting, 5m² of blue plastic sheeting, 1 vinyl advertising poster, 6 plastic crates, 13 cupboard doors or sheets of composite wood, 16 cardboard boxes, 5 tires and 20 rocks or bricks
Structure #6
18m² of carpet underfelt, 15m² of black or blue plastic sheeting, 7 cardboard boxes, 3 tires, 1 bollard, 1 marble countertop, 16 stones or bricks, 8 cupboard doors or sheets of composite wood and a 6 lane coffered highway with reinforced concrete column.
Structure #7
1 Maserati Grancabrio cover, 11m² of clear plastic sheeting, 4 cupboard doors or sheets of composite wood, 8 stones, 1 broomstick and 1 tree canopy.
Structure #8
A single lane flyover with reinforced concrete column and footing, 1 three-man tent, 1 blanket, 1 bag of sand and stones. Internal structure unknown.
Structure #9
3 blankets, 8m² of corrugated cardboard, 12m² of plastic sheeting, 7 cupboard doors or sheets of composite wood, 2 bollards, 14 stones or bricks, 1 wheelie-bin and a 6 lane highway with reinforced concrete column.
Structure #10
A 6 lane highway with reinforced concrete column, 1 blanket, 10m² of corrugated cardboard, 12m² of plastic sheeting, 10m² of carpet or underfelt, sheets of newspaper, 15 cupboard doors or sheets of composite wood, 20+ stones or bricks.
Structure #11
A single lane highway onramp, 1 tent flysheet, 12 cardboard boxes, 6m² of plastic sheeting, 4 sheets of composite wood and 8+ stones or bricks.
These are photographs of a growing series called Home. They document various structures made by homeless people on the streets of Cape Town.
The urban homeless re-appropriate discarded objects and unused public space. Their temporary anthropomorphic structures change and move frequently. They close up in wet weather, or release their covers when it’s warm.
These shelters are made of whatever can be found. They are erected as needed or disassembled and packed into a shopping- trolley or wheelie-bin to be moved to a new location.
The inhabitants of these dwellings are vulnerable. They have no social or financial capital and are often despised by people with fixed abodes. With Cape Town following a neoliberal path of gentrification, sanitisation and public space controlled by private organisations, homeless people are increasingly marginalised. They are being pushed out of the city as parks are fenced, soup-kitchens closed and intimidation by city officials and other private or semi-private entities increases.
These homes are portable and resourceful. They are often well hidden, unseen or actively ignored.
By documenting them in a formal architectural manner, the photographer requires the viewer to consider their legitimacy and both the plight and ingenuity of those who construct them.
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Structure #1 was recently shortlisted for the 2015 Barclays L’Atelier Award
