Seven Awarded and four Commended projects in the 2015/2016 AfriSam-SAIA Award for Sustainable Architecture + Innovation were announced in Cape Town on 27 October.
The eleven projects chosen by the adjudicators were among 22 final qualifying entries selected from a record number of eligible submissions.
“The Awarded and Commended projects demonstrate the three main criteria that the adjudicating panel was looking at – regeneration, reconciliation and restoration,” commented Richard Tomes, AfriSam sales and marketing executive. “These projects all make the world a better place by minimising the environmental impact of buildings. They also bear the hallmarks of great architectural and social design. Together they represent the very best in sustainable architecture and innovation.”
The importance of sustainable and innovative design practice in the South African built environment was confirmed across all four categories of the 2015/2016 AfriSam-SAIA Award for Sustainable Architecture + Innovation.
Sustainable Architecture saw three Awarded projects – the DEA Building by Boogertman+Partners Architects, Gorgeous Green House by Sagnelli Associate Architects and Oudebosch Camp Kogelberg by Architecture Coop. These were joined by four Commended projects – Earthworld Architects’ iCat Eco Factory, Local Studio’s Outreach Foundation Community Centre, Daffonchio & Associate Architects’ Maboneng Precinct and WWF SA Braamfontein by Alive Architecture.
The Award for Research in Sustainability went to Designing Hope for Pathways to Regenerative Sustainability, a book by Chrisna Du Plessis, while Paul Marais’ Otto Cottage was Awarded in the Sustainable Product/Technology category.
Finally there were two Awarded Projects in the Sustainable Social Programme category –
buildCollectiveNPO with Carinthia University of Applied Science’s Bridgingmzamba and Architecture for a Change’s Malawi School.
The 2015/2016 AfriSam-SAIA Award for Sustainable Architecture + Innovation took place adjacent to the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa, a project supported by AfriSam. It was attended by representatives of the most compelling architectural practices, social businesses and thought-leaders in the country.
“The awards are a resounding endorsement of sustainable and innovative design practice in the South African built environment,” concludes Tomes. “We have entered a new era in which sustainable design is becoming a non-negotiable, integral part of the building industry. Alongside significantly impacting the lives of those who use them, tonight’s Awarded and Commended projects provide fanastic inspiration for architects – and indeed everyone playing a part in our built environment.”
Adjudicators of the 2015/2016 Awards were Kevin Bingham (convener), Daniel Irurah, Llewellyn van Wyk, Sebasti Badenhorst , Eric Noir and Richard Stretton.
More information from Maxine Nel, Tel: +27(0)11 670 5893 / www.afrisam.co.za
