FACES OF THE FUTURE
Charldon is a Founding Director- Head of Landscape Architecture and Urban Design departments at Fieldworks Design Group After completing his studies and having worked part time at DDV since 2010, Charldon cofounded Fieldworks Design Group in 2015, with the vision of creating a multi-disciplinary practice that could act across a variety of built industry spheres to make a positive difference in South Africa, through meaningful contributions in the design realm. Charldon Wilken holds Masters degrees in both Landscape architecture and Urban design from The University of Pretoria and The University of the Witwatersrand respectively. Charldon is passionate about systems thinking, respects the environment and has a good sense of design. He forms a vital part of the Fieldworks team in the integration of landscape and architectural projects across a variety of scales. Charldon is a committed, hardworking individual, with a passion for the art and science of landscape architecture and urban design. He can see things from many perspectives and to approach them in the required manner. Charldon is a prone self-starter, assuming the responsibility thereof. Charldon has contributed greatly to projects in various spheres, either as lead designer on all landscape components, or aided in the mitigation and integration of architectural components with their surrounding landscape. Significant contributions can be seen where the integration of systems is present, adding a dynamic component to design projects. Streetlight School: Streetlight School, Jepestown, Johannesburg showcases a design methodology of creative and adaptive re-use with novel construction methods in the attempt to create a feasible learning space within a post-industrial landscape. Due to budgetary restrictions (no budget at all) the innovative use of found materials, such as: pallets, standard hollow core doors, timber purlins etc, became necessary. As part of the relationship between the indoor and outdoor spaces, the design of the courtyardplayground, is aimed at maintaining the identity of the interior spaces and material uses. Play towers were constructed as anchoring elements within the courtyard utilizing a simple system, consisting of standard timber materials that overlap to form tower structures that can be adapted to add slides, swings and climbing spaces. Adhering to safety requirements and making use of a
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Pro Landscaper Africa | October 2018
funding pool from companies willing to contribute time and funds as part of their yearly Mandela day initiatives, Fieldworks managed to obtain additional sponsored materials, such as Master fiber Matts etc. In addition, pallet planters were designed, that have zero waste, due to their innovative assembly methods, acting as both seating and planting. Both the architectural and landscape architectural components of the project, clearly addresses economic and environmental spheres of a sustainable urban project, however, it is only through the branding for streetlight school, as executed by Fieldworks’ graphic design department, that they were able to truly address the social sphere of their sustainable urban model. Branding their educational physical product really gave it identity. This allowed learners to get a branded school uniform, breaking divides in economic classes and fostering identity and unity. Keyes Art Mile Charldon has also been involved in designing the magnificent & rather pioneering veld wall project as published in Pro Landscaper’s most recent edition. It can be seen in all its glory at the Keyes Art Mile Development in Johannesburg. Charldon is to be commended for pushing the envelope when it comes to design. House Smuts: House Smuts is a good example of a well-integrated architectural and landscape architectural design process, as both of these disciplines impacted the design significantly from as early as the conceptual stages. Located in Clearwater Country Estate, Rietvalleirand, Pretoria, this residential project occupies a unique site, as it is situated on a plot overlooking a constructed wetland system. This provides the design team with opportunities to frame views and promote the natural landscape. A strong premise for systems design manifest within the design solution, as it is based primarily on the strategic use and recycling of water. A grey water recycling system, in the form of an on-site wetland, is responsible for water purification and reuse. The building is fully equipped with its own water storage facilities, which store grey and purified water separately. The system works with a combination of gravity and solar pumps, in order to minimise electricity usage. Indigenous low maintenance planting, allow the building to blend comfortably with its surrounds. Dissertations: Charldon’s dissertations have clearly influenced his views on the role that landscape/landscape
architects can play in the urban environment. His Master of Landscape Architecture Dissertation – Landscape Laboratory: Ritual and Edge as collective informants for public space in the South African urban environment. Explores the creation of conducive, healthy public environments, through uplifting and facilitating existing urban conditions. In his Master of Urban Design Dissertation – (Re)Mining Wastelands: A Landscape Approach to unlocking the latent potential of Johannesburg’s brownfield sites, Charldon explores the role that the landscape and natural systems can play in the revival and rehabilitation of mining brownfields and post-industrial sites bordering the Urban Development Zone of Johannesburg. Charldon views the landscape and the various layers thereof as much as an organising force that can be used as design driver as much as it is a distinct facet of the city. He is passionate about sustainable design and endeavours to bring about a positive influence and change. Charldon co-founded Fieldworks Forestation Cooperative, a movement to encourage individuals to plant trees. In 2016 recycled paper cups, planted with indigenous tree seedlings were gifted as an attempt to kick-start this movement. Charldon freely dedicates time to see students in a variety of fields to discuss their design projects and the intricacies thereof. Charldon has been invited by The University of Pretoria to act as external examiner, for which he has, since 2015, been external to 1st year Design; 3rd Year Plants Sciences; Honours Design, and Masters Design students. Charldon has also been employed as a studio assistant for the Honours Landscape Architecture students at TUKS. He is involved with The Washington University in StLouis Studio, held annually in Johannesburg, for which he has delivered lectures and acted as external examiner. He was invited by The University of Pretoria to act as Guest Speaker as part of a lecture series commemorating the 75th year of The Department of Architecture at TUKS, where he delivered a lecture with his business partner Albert Smuts on their approach to practice. Charldon is also a speaker at The University of Pretoria’s ‘Profession Sessions’ held annually as part of the EBIT faculty showcase at TUKS. Charldon co-authored an article for The AUA 2018 Journal, titled: Detail and Technology – The Fieldworks Approach.
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