Annika Morris
Waiting for the Train: exploring adaptive reuse, hybrid typologies, and third spaces within the ruins of Benoni station.
Mixed- use
Benoni, Gauteng
This project explores the adaptive reuse of the decaying Benoni train station, abandoned since 2020, to restore function and meaning while balancing heritage, memory, and contemporary needs. It examines hybrid building typologies that challenge colonial-era railway architecture and respond to Johannesburg’s post-colonial urban complexity. The design proposes a “third space” between home and work, blurring public-private and formal-informal boundaries. It aims to create an inclusive, multifunctional space that serves diverse users, ensuring the station remains a vibrant community hub rather than a neglected remnant of the past.
