#StopFrame - Doreen Adengo in conversation with Zaheer Cassim by African Mobilities 2.0 published on 2020-08-24T11:47:16Z Doreen Adengo and Zaheer Cassim discuss the impact of multidisciplinary collaboration as materialised in the representation processes and methods employed in the ‘3X3’ project, in which Adengo's team explored how Congolese traders and tailors transform the social, economic, and built environment in Kampala, Uganda. Genre Learning Comment by Franklin Sumbas Listening to this conversation, one gets to appreciate that architecture relates to how people interact with space and not necessarily the structure. A structure is approved/controlled by the planning authority but in the end it's the people that will determine how it will be utilised, for example, in this case, a 3x1 space that somehow turns into a 3x3 space depending on the time of the day and the number of clients Elvis works on at a moment. It also goes to show that architecture does not have to always be structured, there is room for flexibility. One also has to appreciate the patience it took to make the time-lapse, and the discipline required to trust the process that turned it all into a 4 minute video that covered a lot of the data collected. This conversation opens up a lot more channels where a study can be undertaken; from the kitenge fabric to dynamic spaces. One hopes that it should've been a longer conversation...👍 2020-10-05T06:05:58Z Comment by Derek Ayebare Thanks for this talk, I like that you mention the existence discrepancies between the designs the planning authority approves for construction and what the developer actually builds. And how that discrepancy needs to be addressed to find a middle ground of sort; especially in light of the current pandemic. Considering a sizable volume of people pass by or even stop by Elvis’ shop. I’m interested in how the future of spaces like Elvis’ shop and other ‘flexible shops’ in downtown Kampala will look like. I must say i really enjoyed the podcast. Both Doreen and Zaheer were really engaged with the material being discussed. It made listening to the podcast worthwhile. 2020-09-09T12:59:35Z Comment by Will Monteith Really enjoyed this podcast and the discussion of creative architectural practices in downtown Kampala, where much of the 'planning' is done by people like Elvis. Also a great insight into the processes of presenting narratives through photography and film, and the challenges these present. Looking forward to the next instalment! 2020-08-28T10:07:27Z Comment by Victor Oguli This was really insightful it reminds me of the time lapse lecture you gave on the study human interaction in public spaces back at University. I feel continual research should be integral to architectural practice something that has been trampled down by the economic machine. Thanks Doreen, really appreciate the work and efforts you doing to shape qnd inspire design sensitivities and thoughtfulness. I look forward to seeing more initiatives and hope we can collaborate more in future on projects like this 2020-08-26T23:44:45Z Comment by Christine_Thesingingbug 6 months! You've shown that patience really pays😅 Its easy to want instant things especially in this era of high tech and instant gratification. I love that you gave us an insight as to how long it can take to research, to understand someone's business and story and produce something of high quality. It may take time but its always worth it. I guess the one thing that I would have loved to change would be the sound quality from Zaheer's microphone. it was a little hard to hear some of what he was saying but overall it was a great conversation. 2020-08-26T11:26:33Z Comment by Christine_Thesingingbug Its really cool how he personalised his store. I've been shown more and more lately that buildings and furniture are really meant to work for us and not the other way round. That means that we can design and personalize our spaces and our fittings and furnishings to work for us. At the end of the day we all have different habits and ways of using our spaces. I think at times with architecture and furniture in Uganda, it can be a little commercialised and mass produced and can miss that personalised element where its tailored down to suit the habits of each of the building/furniture users. 2020-08-26T11:26:10Z Comment by Christine_Thesingingbug The editing in the video about Elvis is pretty amazing and the video and sound quality is really great, I love how short and sweet it is, its not too long, its short, and quite interesting. It covers a lot and leaves you wanting to know more. Just like Zaheer I was very curious about Elvis' background and how he entered into the business of Kitenge, it would have been great to hear that as well. I think that there is a certain tenacity in refugees, a certain fire in some of them that drives them to succeed and take advantage of resources, and I see that in Elvis. I happen to know a different Congolese hairdresser with that same fire. I've heard time and time again that the really wealthy people in Kampala are the traders in downtown Kampala. And they have a good understanding of money and how to handle money. I love that in Uganda, there is always a free opportunity to start businesses regardless of your background. 2020-08-26T11:25:09Z
