BLAKE SMIT - 2020 WINNER ( R70 000 PRIZE MONEY ) NELSON MANDELA UNIVERSITY
A project focused on waste pickers , a group of individuals largely unacknowledged within the circular waste economy , saw Smit look at creating a dignified place for these individuals to recycle waste within the harsh landscape of the Arlington landfill in Port Elizabeth . It incorporated waste building material and building rubble in the form of reclaimed brick and clay products , which were used in unique ways within the design process . “ Architecture and design have been my passion from a young age . However , the specific choice to study architecture came from an interest in understanding space and the impact that a physical place has on people . Architecture has the ability to mend issues that we have faced , are facing and more importantly are still going to face . It is an amazing subject that is able to speak to many other disciplines , subsequently making it a limitless conversation ,” comments Blake .
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