Regional winners of Corobrik Architectural Student of the Year Awards announced

L-R: Ulrich Pieterse and Ockert van Heerden

The competition starts with regional rounds at eight major universities throughout South Africa. Then, the overall national winner from among the regional finalists is named and presented with a cheque for R50,000 at the 29th Architectural Student of the Year Awards function in Johannesburg on 11 May 2016.

Pieterse won R8,000, with Brendon Williams receiving the R6,500 second prize and Christelle Coetzee taking home the third prize of R4,500. The prize of R4,500 for the best use of clay was won by Rohan van Eeden.

Pieterse’s thesis was ‘The design of an institute for the documentation of fossil heritage in Nieu Bethesda, Karoo’. The dissertation deals with the making of a palaeontological research and display centre to document fossils from the Nieu Bethesda area and the Karoo. The project acts as catalyst for the creation of a satellite campus for the use by South African universities and scientists. It will allow the study of prehistoric biodiversity and geology to understand how and why mass extinctions occur.

Khoisan culture

Williams’ thesis was ‘A centre for the preservation and cultivation of Bushmen Culture in Andriesvale, Northern Cape'. This thesis investigates the conservation of the Khoisan 'Bushman'.

His project identifies a lack of understanding of this complex society amongst the contemporary South African and attempts to highlight the importance of securing a future for the Khoisan and their traditional ways of life. The project will create awareness among the community of South Africa by means of public exhibition facilities focused on the remaining Khoisan community and their indigenous knowledge for the benefit of future generations.

Coetzee’s entry was entitled ‘Transforming Ndlovu Node'. It is the design of an ecological observatory in Phalaborwa. Situated at the existing PMC Copper and FOSCOR phosphate mine south of Phalaborwa in the Limpopo Province, Coetzee said that the mining activities have left an enormous scar in the natural landscape. Surrounded by rivers and an abundance of animal and plant life, the site holds great potential for future environmental rehabilitation and adaptive re-use of existing infrastructure.

Use of clay brick

Van Eeden’s award for the best use of clay brick in his design of a biophilic waste-water treatment facility in Diepsloot near Johannesburg. Williams said he selected Corobrik satin face brick to be used on faceted brick façades.

These façades consist of solid brickwork infill, open latticed brickwork as well as feature walls with brick patterns. An open lattice is achieved by removing the headers in a Flemish bond, thereby allowing for light penetration, ventilation, solar shading and maintaining the continuity of the brick skin.