Institute of Architects recognises KZN projects
Durban's iconic Moses Mabhida Stadium, key beachfront nodes, Moyo on the Pier at uShaka Marine World and the inspiring Seth Mokitini Methodist Seminary in Pietermaritzburg were just some of the projects that received awards at the 2011 KwaZulu-Natal Institute for Architecture (KZNIA) Awards for Architecture.
During the awards ceremony at the KZNSA Gallery in Durban, president of the KZNIA, Nina Saunders presented awards to a wide range of good examples of design throughout the province. Residential design quality was exemplified by House Throssell at the Zimbali Coastal Estate, House Duke at Hawaan Forest Estate, Indhul Eco House within the Simibthi Eco Estate and The Folie at Gowrie Farm, Nottingham Road.
Industrial projects that received awards were the Gottlieb Group Distribution Centre at Riverhorse Park in Durban and the Investec Regional Head Office at Ridgeside in Umhlanga. The Dairy Beach, New Beach, South Beach, Addington Beach and Bay of Plenty Nodes were singled out as examples of good architecture as were the Moses Mabhida Stadium, the Moses Mabhida Commuter Station and the Green Hub @ Umngeni River.
The Concierge Boutique Hotel and Freedom Café in Greyville Village and the Clermont Swimming Pool also received awards.
Research projects also acknowledged
According to Saunders and respected architect and academic Professor Walter Peters, the one building that stood out and received immediate unanimous approval from all six judges was Pietermaritzburg's Seth Mokitini Methodist Seminary. Described as a dynamic African architectural interpretation of the theological outlook of the Methodist Church, the seminary has already become something of a landmark in Pietermaritzburg.
This is also the first year that a research project has received an award from the KZNIA. This housing typologies study for eThekwini Municipality, City Architects' Dept with GAPP Architects & Urban Designers, Black Balance Projects, WSP Green by Design and LDM investigates where dwellings should be placed on different topographical environments, whether houses should all be in a straight row on a street or staggered and how to position houses to accommodate future additions.
This year, there were an unprecedented 43 entries for the awards. The KwaZulu-Natal winners will be entered for the Corobrik SAIA Awards of Merit and the Corobrik SAIA Awards for Excellence early next year where they will come up against entries from across the country in a bid to secure further recognition for architecture.
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