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prize of R2 000 each . However , given travel restrictions and concerns around Covid-19 , the 2020 winner and their lecturer will each receive a cash prize of R50 000 , with R20 000 for the runner-up . The third place and finalists ’ prizes remain unchanged . well as two new judges : Mardre Meyer , creative director and a partner at Source Interior Brand Architects , and Henk Marais , founding member and director at Connect Architects .
“ I believe strongly that supporting students is supporting the future of the design industry in this country ,” says Meyer , adding that being a judge is a way to help shape these students , and thus the future of the industry .
“ Judging is quite a lengthy , considered process ,” says Markham . “ But in the wake of Covid-19 , we ’ re doing things differently this year . Whereas previously , we would bring the judges together for a full day event , where they would view printed student submissions and discuss them , this year the process is digital . Our students will submit their entries digitally and the judges will go through two rounds . First is the elimination round , where entries that do not meet the requirements of the brief or the standard of the competition will be discarded . Then there ’ s a round where the judges whittle down the remaining entries to come up with the top 20 , select the top 10 and decide on the top three places .”
Previously , the winner and their lecturer would win a fully-paid trip to the Milan Furniture Fair – one of the world ’ s top design events . The runner-up would receive a fully sponsored ticket for Design Indaba including a cash prize and the third-place prize was a cash prize of R10 000 . All remaining top 10 finalists received a cash
“ Our awards ceremony will also take place online this year , which is something we ’ ve never done before , so we ’ re working hard to ensure we keep our students engaged ,” says Markham . “ The benefit of doing a digital ceremony instead of a gala event is that we can include more of the students ’ special family and friends , allowing them to be part of celebrating South Africa ’ s young architecture and design talent .”
Markham says that the competition is not only a chance for students to compete for attractive prizes and top honours , but to distinguish themselves in the eyes of potential employers . Previous winners and finalists of the PG Bison 1.618 Education Initiative have gone on to receive job offers as a direct result of the competition , and to achieve successful careers . “ We ’ ve had winners who have eventually come full circle to be competition judges , and those who have started their own companies or won other prestigious competitions ,” says Markham . “ PG Bison believes this initiative is not only a means to support young South African talent , but to connect students with industry to help them prepare for their careers .”
According to Sanette de Villiers , last year ’ s 1.618 Education Initiative competition winner , the competition gave her more confidence in what she does . “ It made me believe that anything is possible , says De Villiers , who is now in her final year of studying and yet to officially enter the working world . De Villiers adds that from as early as she can remember , she wanted to do something artistic and practical , something that would make a difference . “ During high school , I did technical drawings as a subject ( best subject ever ) which really helped me decide that it is something I like and something I am interested in . Having friends studying architecture , I started asking questions and the rest is history . The thing that stands out the most is being able to see an end product to all the hard work and long hours ,” she says .
www . timberiq . co . za // DECEMBER 2020 / JANUARY 2021 21