Local Cultures – Global Spaces
Abstract
This research paper investigates the role of interior design in promoting a creative sense of place within inner-city regeneration, particularly in commercial spaces situated in creative clusters. Utilising a multiple case study approach, the research explores the significance of interior design as a regeneration strategy in the city of Johannesburg, South Africa. The study seeks to understand the process of “place-making” within creative clusters in inner cities through an interpretive paradigm. It examines four interior commercial spaces located in the Maboneng Precinct: the 12 Decades Johannesburg Art Hotel, the Blackanese Wine and Sushi Bar, Unknown Union, and Cornerstone Café. While existing literature recognises the efficacy of creative clusters in inner-city revitalisation, this study sheds light on the underappreciated role of interior design in creative placemaking. Despite the evident success of interior design in the case studies, it remains largely unacknowledged as a contributor to inner-city regeneration. The findings underscore the critical significance of interior design in shaping the character of commercial spaces and its potential to inform successful regeneration strategies in inner cities. This research offers valuable insights to researchers, urban planners, developers, architects, and interior designers, enhancing their understanding of interior commercial design and placemaking processes. Furthermore, the study provides recommendations for promoting and sustaining regeneration in Johannesburg’s central business district, contributing to the ongoing discourse on inner-city revitalisation within the current socio-political landscape. This knowledge can serve as a foundation for future efforts to leverage interior design as a pivotal tool for enhancing creative clusters and advancing inner-city regeneration.
With over a decade of industry experience, Sadiyah Geyer excels in turnkey interior architecture and design. She’s driven by a passion for creating sustainable, user-centric spaces that benefit society and minimise environmental impact. As an educator and researcher at the University of Johannesburg’s Faculty of Art, Design, and Architecture, she draws on seven years of teaching experience. Simultaneously pursuing a PhD, her research focuses on sustainable urban regeneration, urban interiority, adaptive reuse, and placemaking through interior design.