Ilze and Heinrich Wolff speak about the concept of an ‘architectural practice of consequence’, a concern that ties into their ethical stance on advocating for spatial justice and research-based design projects. They expand on the concept of conviviality, as it applies to spatial practice and knowledge creation. Ilze and Heinrich also provide insight into the process of creating JCAF’s Reading Room, and what it means for them to practise as architects in the context of South Africa.

Mentioned in this episode:
Rahul Mehrotra
Cheré Botha School project in Cape Town
Le Corbusier
Alessandro Petti and Sandi Hilal – DAAR
Paulo Tavares and Gabriela de Mattos
Paul Gilroy’s concept of ‘planetary humanism’
‘Strange Fruit’ performed by Billie Holliday (1959) and Nina Simone (1965)
The Group Areas Act (1950)
The Native Land Act (1913)
Sol Plaatjie – ‘Native Life in South Africa’ (1916)
Sol Plaatjie – ‘Mhudi’ (1930)
Bessie Head
Steinkopf Community Centre
Amartya Sen – ‘Poverty and Famines: An Essay on Entitlement and Deprivation’ (2003)
Manuel (Manolo) Callahan’s concept of ‘renewing our habits of assembly’
Manuel (Manolo) Callahan and Fred Mutton – joint lecture
JCAF Reading Room designed by Wolff architects
Bag Factory
Polly Street Art Centre

To know more about Ilze and Heinrich Wolff’s work visit their website or follow them on Instagram.

Music for the JCAF Knowledge Talks podcast was commissioned by JCAF.
‘INGWENYA’, performed by the Afrikan Freedom Principle, led by Mandla Mlangeni, © MM Publishing.

Website URL: https://jcaf.org.za
Instagram: instagram.com/foundation_jcaf/