Sara Sims of Design Time School of Interior Design in Cape Town has been announced as the 2026 winner of the PG Bison 1.618 Education Initiative, the company’s annual student design competition.
Sims, who completed her entry under the guidance of lecturer Giorgie Mittön, claimed the top spot for her response to this year’s brief, ‘House of the Tribe’. The winner announcement took place at a gala event held at The Venue Nine Yards in Johannesburg on 29 October.
Lané Louw, also from Design Time School of Interior Design, took second place, while Tyra Ngwenya of Greenside Design Centre, Interior Design, placed third.
The established annual PG Bison Education Initiative challenges students to respond to a real-world design brief, putting their creativity, critical thinking and problem-solving skills to the test. The initiative gives aspiring designers an opportunity to showcase their abilities and gain recognition from professionals in the architecture and interior design industries.
This years ‘House of the Tribe’ brief invited students to explore the relationship between space, identity and belonging. They were challenged to identify or rethink a location and transform it into a place where a community could thrive, one that reflects its people and responds to their needs.
Beyond aesthetics, the brief called for considered, future-focused design; spaces that are durable, acceptable and fit for purpose, with the potential to evolve with the communities they serve.
“Winning the PG Bison competition has been an incredibly rewarding experience, allowing me to push the boundaries of my creativity and explore how thoughtful design can create meaningful impact. I am incredibly grateful to PG Bison for such a generous opportunity, which challenged me to think innovatively, embrace sustainability and translate a concept into a design that reflects my vision and passion for interior design.” Sara Sims, 2026 PG Bison 1.618 Education Initiative Winner.
The entries were assessed by a panel of experienced architecture and interior design professionals, bringing an industry perspective to the students’ creative responses.
From a lecturer’s perspective, Giorgie Mitton says, “It is inspiring to see our students tackle a challenging brief with creativity, passion and resilience. We are grateful to PG Bison for giving emerging designers valuable industry exposure, connections and networking opportunities as they prepare for professional practice.”
“We are proud to nurture the next generation of designers through the 1.618 Education Initiative, connecting design education with professional practice through industry-relevant challenges and encouraging young creatives to push boundaries and shape the future of South African design.” Lauren Munro, PG Bison marketing projects manager.
PG Bison congratulates Sara Sims, Lané Louw, Tyra Ngwenya and all of this year’s finalists, lecturers and participating institutions on their achievements.
For more information about the PG Bison 1.618 Education Initiative and to view the finalists work, visit www.1sixoneeight.co.za.
