Public Interest Design in South Africa: A Paradigm Shift in Architecture

A new book is set to be published on August 24, 2026, focusing on the architectural efforts in South Africa since 1994 that emphasize Public Interest Design. Despite the nation's political transformations, the effects of a divided urban landscape still impact communities negatively. Architects often get overlooked in addressing these challenges. This publication examines Kim's (2018) Conceptual Taxonomy and the idea of Spatial Agency (Awan et al 2011) as they relate to South Africa, featuring prominent local projects. Noteworthy examples include the Warwick Markets in eThekwini, Cape Town's Violence Prevention through Urban Upgrade initiative, and the work of Carin Smuts from CS Studios, along with other important smaller projects. The book highlights a shift toward more inclusive and responsive design. ArchDaily is releasing it, and the cover features portraits of the three authors.