Abstract:
This proposed research “How can architectural pilgrimage, through making, enact a sense
of healing”, primarily focuses on the ongoing
conflict in the (DRC) Congo. Nearly half of the
world’s minerals, especially key components
in electric vehicle batteries and mobile phones
(cobalt) come from Congo.
This blessing to
the west and curse to the people of Congo has
left nearly half of the Congolese people dispossessed and bearing the ongoing conflicts of
wars over their natural resources.
The mines
in Congo are controlled by western companies
disguised through neighbouring countries such
as Rwanda, Uganda and Burundi, which has
left a heavy burden on the people of Congo.
Women and children as young as seven work in
these mines for as little as a dollar a day, whilst
western companies and countries profit off the
labour of Congolese children.
The research output will be a thorough investigation of these conflicts in Congo and how a
nation rich in natural resources is still one of
the poorest in the world. The body of work will
acknowledge the deep cultural connection the
Congolese people have with their landscapes,
and the research with the proposed architecture
will be a beacon of light to the indigenous tribes
of the most affected areas of Congo, especially
the North Kivu (northern territory) in Masisi
and southern territory of Kantanga. The body
of work will investigate the concept of healing for the communities affected, through the
architecture interventions that will be proposed.
In particular, the healing of Congolese traumas,
landscape, economy, health, mental health,
spirituality and most importantly healing the
ecology and the future of the next generation of
Congolese pupils This thesis will be structured around the use
of various mediums to convey the ideas visually and narratively into a body of work and
research that speaks on behalf of the people of
Congo and teaches the west about the ongoing
dangers, conflicts, and traumas that the people
of Congo endure in their daily lives. The outputs for this research will consist of investigational physical models, collages, fabrication,
timeline collages, maps, and more importantly a
physical 1:1 scale component, such as furniture
and other physical components that will support
the research and convey the ideas.
The act of making that will be explored in this
thesis will be examining and further exploring
the boundaries of different materials and their
limitations, and how different materials can be
used to heal or inspire people through architecture. Both theory and design will be explored
through research, making, and drawings with
different mediums to further convey and interpret these ideas forward whilst understanding
the constraints that are present in these regions
of instability. Materials are ways we connect
with architecture and the understanding of
the materials we use is crucial as they are the
whakapapa of our buildings.