NEWS
Awarding top
architectural creativity
Contenders for the 2017 Corobrik-South African Institute of Architects
(SAIA) Awards of Merit were launched at an official event last year.
The awards programme builds up a public record of the achievements of the architectural profession.
T
he contending Corobrik-SAIA
architects were showcased at the
Ackerman’s forecourt in Menlyn Mall
in Pretoria from 20 to 26 November 2017,
with the main aim to introduce architecture
to the public.
“A lot of architectural communication
only reaches architects. We want to show
the public the value of architecture,” says
marketing manager at SAIA, Debbie Kirk.
Sixty-one entrants were chosen with the
awards ceremony to be held in Pretoria in
May 2018. The finalists feature a variety of
buildings ranging from private and
community residences, universities, public
facilities, corporate offices, lodging facilities
and more. The forecourt featured project
images and a brief description of
each building.
Corobrik’s commercial director, Musa
Shangase, says, “There is so much depth
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FEBRUARY 2018
RESIDENTIAL // COMMERCIAL // INDUSTRIAL
and character to each building and this is
truly evident in this year’s submissions.”
Selection of projects was made through a
panel of judges that comprises three
architects, one eminent layperson, a
representative from Corobrik, SAIA’s
president and an academic architect.
Judges visited all the finalist entries,
evaluating each entry according to the
judging parameters. “Each region sends
forward their suggestions and the president
of SAIA makes the final decision,” she says.
The 61 projects on display feature the
regional entries and the panel will shortlist
projects to be considered for the
overall awards.
Some of the contenders for the
award include:
• Bosjes Chapel (SA Roofing, issue 95),
located in the gables of Cape Town;
• Nelson Mandela Metropolitan
University Bitumen Lab (SA Roofing,
issue 95);
• Hamilton Naki CRU Development in the
City of Cape Town (SA Affordable
Housing, issue 67);
• Mixed use building and piazza Alice
Lane 3 in Sandton (RACA Journal,
Volume 33, No7); and
• New Corporate Office, Sasol Place in
Sandton for Alchemy Properties / Sasol
Pension Fund (Plumbing Africa,
Volume 22, No8).
“To build a building is a complex and
expensive process,” says Maryke Cronje,
newly-elected president of the SAIA. “To
complete a building of this kind of
significance is a rare achievement that
deserves public acknowledgement.”