Hassim regional finalist for Corobrik Architectural Student of the Year Awards

Hassim won the first prize of R8,000, second prize of R6,500 went to Jean-Pierre Audibert and third prize of R4,500 was presented to Julie Eneman. An additional prize of R5,000 for the best use of clay masonry was awarded to Audibert.

The competition involves the country's eight major universities where the best architectural students are identified based on their final theses and presented with awards at regional events. The winners of each of the regional competitions then go on to compete for the national title at the Corobrik Student Architect of the Year Awards in Johannesburg in May 2016.

Hassim's winning thesis title is 'Defining an architectural typology: Inner City Green Centres within South Africa'. She proposes an environmental research facility in KwaZulu-Natal to address threatened natural resources. This does not seem to be high in priority in most city projects within South Africa. "As such, a refreshed mind-set towards the built form to restore, preserve and promote key green assets is necessary," says Hassim.

New attitudes

The Green Centre is located within a dynamic context of light industrial, commercial and environmental nodes, sits along the edge of the Umgeni River in Briardene. The design promotes 'Green as an experience', i.e. experiencing a journey that aims to educate and expose new attitudes towards key green assets such as the Umgeni River.

Audibert's thesis, 'The Cemet', highlights an unrealised potential that exists for cemeteries. The intention is to project a new discussion about the future of these incredible cultural and historic landscapes, to explore deeper meanings and alternate uses.

The dissertation was founded upon the presence and activities of the Stellawood Cemetery in Durban. It is the understanding of Audibert's dissertation that given the rights and opportunities the users, the youth can highlight untapped potentials and add new life to these sometimes 'lost' city spaces which are so intimately connected to the community around them.

He incorporated clay masonry as a strong element of the design alongside other natural raw materials. The reasoning for this was to keep a subtle raw finish that blended with the natural setting of the cemetery.

Trauma of abuse

Eneman's thesis addressed the trauma of rape, sexual assault and abuse in an inner city support centre for Durban women.

Director of Sales: Coastal, Allin Dangers, said that all of the winners had shown a close affinity with their subjects and that their designs both enhanced and integrated with the communities in which they were sited.

Dangers said that the winners in the Corobrik Architectural Student of the Year Awards had shown outstanding maturity, innovation and technical skill in their designs which were a credit to the profession in both local and global terms.