EVENTS AND EXHIBITIONS
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through to the national Corobrik-SAIA Awards. The judges assessed
all 61 entries and prepared a shortlist. These shortlisted projects
were visited, and winners selected.
Five projects received commendations — these projects met many
of the criteria worthy of further discussion and debate. A further 24
were presented with awards of merit. Six projects received awards
for excellence, the highest distinction that SAIA can confer on a
project in South Africa.
The six recipients of the SAIA Award for Excellence are:
• New Residence, 151 Main Road, Constantia,
designed by Malan Vorster Architecture
• The Delville Wood Memorial, submitted by The Creative Axis
Architects in association with Mayat Hart Architects
• The Johannesburg Holocaust and Genocide Centre
by Lewis Levin Architects
• Sasol Place, entered by Paragon Architects
• Lake House, designed by KOOP Design
• NZASM Footsteps Along the Tracks, written by Nicholas J Clarke
and Roger C Fisher.
A group of eminent personalities representing the architectural field made
up the adjudication panel. Convened by Cronje, it comprised Professor
Paul Kotze, academic; Musa Shangase, sponsor representative; Sumien
Brink, eminent layperson; and Luyanda Mpahlwa, eminent architect.
“We have had a longstanding relationship with SAIA and architects
around the country, and it is our pleasure to sponsor the awards
that pay tribute to members of SAIA showcasing the architectural
profession. We are proud to pay tribute to the architects whose work
has been recognised for their quality, distinction, and splendour,” says
Shangase, who is also Corobrik’s commercial director.
“These awards offer the opportunity to recognise South Africa’s
foremost architects. The architectural profession has reason to
celebrate when we see designs of the calibre of the entries we have
received this year — many of which are world-class,” Cronje says.
“The awards adjudication process is an immense responsibility.
This the adjudicators took to heart and made sure that transparency
and consistency were adhered to during the process,” Cronje says
and adds, “The adjudication panel has viewed some exceptional
projects of various scales and complexities. A client that is passionate
about his project/brief and who values the role of the architect, was
a common denominator throughout the projects, which was an
immense contribution to the success of these projects.
“The adjudicators acknowledge that despite the current economic
state of our industry in South Africa, architecture of a high standard is
still produced in our country.
“In looking forward, the adjudicators trust that more projects of
a social and developmental nature will be submitted in future,”
concludes Cronje. PA
July 2018 Volume 24 I Number 5