Fort originally protecting Pretoria wins UP regional architecture award
Yvonne Bruinette of the University of Pretoria has been named the regional winner of the Corobrik Architectural Student of the Year Awards, receiving R8,500, Ryan Taylor won second prize of R6,500, while Abigail Barnard received the third prize of R4,500. A R4,500 prize for the best use of clay masonry was also presented to Michelle Whitaker.
Yvonne Bruinette of Pretoria, regional winner of the Corobrik Architectural Student of the Year Awards
Yvonne Bruinette’s winning thesis is entitled. ‘The Heritage Portal: an Experiential Narrative’ based at Westfort in Pretoria.
Yvonne Bruinette said, “It is my belief that the greater purpose of architecture is to design for the human experience. Yet, one of the biggest challenges perhaps, is to accommodate change.”
Response to ruination and isolation
With an interest in how architecture adapts over time, this dissertation is a response to the ongoing process of ruination and isolation within highly contested continuums of change.
The site, Westfort is situated in the western outskirts of Pretoria and just before the outbreak of World War II, the fort was dismantled, stripped for its steel and left to fall into ruin. The site also includes the former Westfort Leper Institution which since its closure in 1997, has been illegally occupied by informal settlers. Today, it still functions as a segregated community and together with the Fort, illustrates the consequences of ruination and isolation over time.
Since its closure in 1997, informal settlers illegally occupied the buildings and adapted the site to accommodate their needs. It functions as a self-sustaining village and with the Fort, illustrates the consequences of ruination and isolation over time.
Heritage Portal as a mediator
Bruinette proposes a Heritage Portal that will act as the mediator in celebrating the continuity of our collective and continuous South African heritage. The intention of the project is to protect the heritage significance of the Westfort precinct, secure its future value, and introduce continuity through experiential architecture.
“We expect new and distinctive ideas from the students, in addition to a high standard of technical skills, creative flair, a good grasp of sustainability issues and a clear understanding of the role a built structure is expected to fulfil in its environment,” said Musa Shangase, Corobrik commercial and marketing director.
The competition begins with regional competitions at eight major universities throughout South Africa and culminates in a national award ceremony for the overall winner in Johannesburg. The eight regional winners automatically qualify to compete for the R50,000 national prize which will be presented at the 30th Corobrik Architectural Student of the Year Awards.
