KOS Kitchen

KOS KITCHEN

2019, Orange Farm, South Africa

We were approached in 2017 by Sibongile Msenge, a community leader of Kanana Park, to build a soup kitchen for the pupils of the local school and the elderly. The building, although humble, has had an array of positive impacts through a rich process of learning, engagement and in its ultimate use.

Through a collaboration with The University of Johannesburg’s architecture department we ran a design-build course lead by Jason Frenkel and Deborah Kirkman. The students worked on several designs which were, through consultation with community, edited into the final design.

A process of 2 years which included design, the procurement of funding and construction has culminated in a project that feeds approximately 200 people a day. It has not only become a critical infrastructure for the community but has also become a place of gathering and exchange.