o-week

SoAP Orientation (2) Week(s): integrating new architects and planners into the University

Booklet Covers:
Yeoville Water Tower, Midrand Water Tower, Ponte City Tower, Womens’ Gaol, John Moffat Bldg.

The different cover designs are printed on different coloured paper to create additional group combinations.

students pose with a SoAP Tote bag

in 2022, we intoduced the customised SoAP T-square. Students cut and assembled their own customised T-square using the School’s laser cutter (Dirk Bahmann).

O-Week is a way to fast track the transition from secondary school to University and the School of Architecture and Planning so that the students can perform optimally and support the University and the School reach its goals.

It is to expose students to the role of a University – which is knowledge creation rather than knowledge regurgitation – as well as to the School’s rules and expectations, the various support mechanisms that exist and the resources that are available in a friendly environment. (We use this proactive, ‘learn by playing’ methodology (which shall be elaborated later) so that the students are not only learning of what is available during a crisis and so that they use the facilities that are provided). We also use O-Week to introduce the students to the city, the University and the profession. O-Week thus also becomes a means to remove myths, manage student expectations and to alert students on how they can contribute to the School so the students can eventually help us break any cultures that (they feel) are unhelpful in fostering a learning environment so help us reach our goal.

Another intention of O-Week is, not to level playing fields by removing or undermining advantages an incoming student may have but rather, to strengthen them by demonstrating - in a safe and friendly environment - the contexts where they thrive and where they do not. O-Week thus also serves to make students more self-aware.

The methodology employed in O-Week is group play (‘learn by playing’). Groups are used to help with ice breaking so students can make introductions and eventually develop friendships. Groups are also used to expose students to different perspectives so they may appraise, for themselves, which aspects of their preparation to date needs improvement and which do not. Playful, exploratory activities are preferred as they minimise the stress and anxiety that being in a new environment inevitably causes. Guided, reflective discussions are encouraged after the activities so students may get a broader perspective on possible solutions to the challenges presented. Prizes are awarded to incentivise participation and competitiveness so the interactions are not stifled by bland politeness.

Some activities are designed for students to learn an outcome, others are designed for the School to learn.

A day is typically broken down into theory sessions in the morning – this is to allow late comers and any last minute logistics to be completed.

a group being briefed by a staff member on the Jhb Walking Tour

O-Week 2021 took place completely online. This meant many activities had to be substituted with comparable ones done remotely. (an example of one such remote activity was for the students to locate a print shop and model making supply shop nearby where they intend to work and to collect information about the store or had them design a walking tour for a class mate who then had to execute it).

students at Ghandi Square on the Jhb BRT Tour

in 2023, we introduced the SoAP O-Week tote bag that was branded with stylised portraits of SoAP luminary alumni

In 2023, O-week returned inperson fully. To celebrate, we rebranded the event. The rebranding coincided with the University’s centenary. We maintained the concept of being ‘lost’ and the event as a means to assist with the students finding their way. The font was designed to be disorientating or confusing at first glance. To understand it, a reader needs someone to explain or decode it. This is the metaphor for the event. We also introduced the SoAP luminary alumni tote bags to build School spirit.

O-Week Flyer 2020-22. The logo is designed as a maze. The flyer manifests itself differently for the different types of event: inperson, online, hybrid.

in 2023 O-week returned inperson fully. To celebrate, we rebranded. The new font is the logo. It is designed to be illegible / disorienting on first reading. It can be ‘decoded’ with the help of someone - play and collaboration are a crucial component of the event’s pedagogy. The climatic event was a book launch.