The movers and shakers of the architectural world in South Africa gathered at Shine Studios in Braamfontein on 2 September to witness the 2015/2016 Corobrik SAIA Awards of Merit for Excellence in Architecture.

The seven best designs and a book earned Awards of Excellence – the highest accolade to be given to an architectural project in South Africa since the inception of the programme in 1990.

A further seven projects received Awards of Merit, which were first instituted in 1999 to recognise good design or a substantial achievement in the industry. In addition, 16 commendations were awarded for remarkable design.

According to Kevin Bingham, awards convenor and SAIA Vice President, the large number of awards and commendations this year bore testimony to the high quality of the entries.

“We have honoured 31 projects because the standard of design warranted it and because this year we had so many entries to choose from – a record 66 which is the most received in the 26-year lifespan of the awards. South Africa may be geographically remote from many of the world’s major cities but architectural design in this country can hold its own with the best internationally,” said Bingham.

Obert Chakarisa, CEO of SAIA added: “This is a star-studded event where we recognise South Africa’s foremost architects. The architectural profession has reason to celebrate when we see designs being produced of the calibre of the entries we have received this year, many of which easily merit the description world-class.

“The awards give us a snapshot of the status of architecture in the country and it would be remiss of us not to mention that we would have welcomed more entries that tackled the current widespread social issues associated with affordable housing and the redevelopment of inner cities. It was, however, encouraging to note that a large number met the sustainable design imperative.”

 

Awards of Excellence

1. House La Lucia, Durban: designworkshop : sa
2. Military Health Base Depot for SAMHS: Jeremie Malan Architects CC
3. New residence in Waterkloof, Pretoria: Slee & Co. Architects
4. Residence at 79 Brommersvlei Road, Constantia, Cape Town: Metropolis
5. 17 Glen Avenue Higgovale, Cape Town: studioMAS Architecture and Urban Design
6. ‘Malapa’ Fossil Cave & Visitors Platform: Krynauw Nel Associates (PTY) LTD
7. Number 1 Silo: Alan Gray Headquarters, Cape Town: Van der Merwe – Miszewski Architects, in association with Rick Brown Associates
8. Eclectic ZA Wilhelmiens :  Karel A Bakker, Roger C Fisher and Nicholas J Clarke