The 2013/14 awards will be presented by Corobrik and the South African Institute for Architects (SAIA) at a gala dinner at the ICC Durban on 1 August.
The awards dinner is a precursor to the 25th triennial International Union of Architects World Congress of Architects (UIA) which takes place in Durban from 3 - 7 August.
"These awards recognise the best of South African architecture," said SAIA president, Sindile Ngonyama. "Architecture is the most visible of the public arts and it is a vital function of the institute to recognise and promote excellence in the field and to create public awareness and debate around architectural issues."
From amongst the 50 entries received, eight Awards of Excellence, 14 Awards of Merit and two Special Commendations will be presented to architects from eight SAIA regions.
"We shoulder a profound responsibility as practitioners who create structures and spaces that must exist in harmony with people, the natural environment and the existing built environment," Ngonyama said. "Sustainability and innovation in building technologies are becoming an increasingly important factor in the design equation and we are constantly aware of our role in the quest to build a vibrant and equitable future for the diverse communities that make up South Africa."
"It is fitting that these awards coincide with the UIA Congress in Durban on the twentieth anniversary of South Africa's democracy with its theme, 'architecture OTHERWHERE'. Up to 5,000 architects, design and built environment professionals from 96 different countries will gather to celebrate the African profession as a meaningful contributor to the evolution of architecture globally."
"This reinforces the view of the adjudicating panel for the Corobrik-SAIA Awards of Merit and Excellence that South African architects can hold their heads high when their work is compared with international best practice."
Members of eight SAIA regions submitted entries for the awards: the Border Kei Institute of Architects (BKIA) in East London, the Cape Institute for Architecture (CIFA) in Cape Town, the Eastern Cape Institute of Architects (ECIA) in Port Elizabeth, the Free State Institute of Architects (FSIA) in Bloemfontein, the Gauteng Institute for Architecture (GIFA) in Johannesburg, the KwaZulu-Natal Institute for Architecture (KZNIA) in Durban, the Pretoria Institute for Architecture (PIA) in Pretoria, the Limpopo Institute for Architecture (LIA) in Polokwane.
"It is our hope that the decisions taken by the judges will spark healthy debate which is vital to a dynamic profession," Ngonyama said.
