CAITLYN
VAN DEN BERG
molori
product design and retail store
3rd Year
2020
Location
381 Helen Joseph St, Pretoria
Brief: This project focusses on the creative transformation/processing of materials and materiality by means of an explorative process of probing and testing various shaping and connection techniques of waste materials. The project required us to design a luminaire from upcycled materials, paying close attention to closed-loop manufacturing creating a cradle to cradle lifecycle.
Thereafter we were tasked with designing a retail space to showcase the luminaire which is to be supported by a makerspace to manufacture your luminaire for repeat production - other supporting spaces to be developed as required.
the african dreamer | defy mediocrity.
Concept: Using Africanology* as the primary informant, a vernacular approach strives to honour the indigenous tribe of Pretoria, being the Setswana. The store transports users on an emotive journey which relays the three parts of a smash and grab, while providing a platform / place of belonging where victims can deal with their trauma.
The concept is broken down into a four part video series which can be viewed below.
*Africanology: A design approach which embraces indigenous African styles and cultures which defy mediocracy and embrace individuality. Through the study of historical, indigenous settlement patterns, a vernacular style can begin to define the genius loci of a place and celebrate the culture.
Molori, meaning dreamer in Setswana, is a retail store designed for the sales of an upcycled luminaire called the dreamcatcher. The dreamcatcher tells a narrative about its primary material, being tempered windshield glass from the scene of a smash and grab. The luminaire represents people who have high aspirations and wish to overcome the hurt from their past, known as the dreamers; the clientele take difficult circumstances and learn to grow from them, making beauty from ruins.
The retail store supports three goals: Firstly, to display and sell the range of luminaires. Secondly, challenging the Pretoria regional narrative and returning to Setswana roots, designing a store of African contemporary style with forms and materials belonging to the Setswana cultural background. The final function is to provide a place of healing, offered through yoga as well as counselling.
Users should feel empowered, as though they have finally returned home, a place of belonging.
The store makes use of curved walls which are cladded in quarts stone, which is used to make glass. This returns to both the origins of Pretoria, making reference to the Setswana tribal patterns as well as the origin source of glass.
The lovemark marries modernity and Africa, the beauty of pattern and craft, celebrated in modern times and contexts being the inner city hub of Pretoria.
The makerspace of the luminaire is dynamic, so not only does it function as a manufacturing space, it also functions as a yoga studio and counselling space, provided to allow the clientele to deal with their trauma both mentally and physically. Providing more than one form of healing.
A place of belonging, our hearts returning to their origins where a highway of stars guide us home. A place where the whispering song of the wind is sung by the grass. Here the fish eagle cries and the sun drenches us in light. Here we reside for all eternity.
