Don’t forget: R320k competition for Media 24 building facelift

WORDS Debbie Loots

Imagine a facelift for the 26-storey Media24 building on Cape Town’s Foreshore and you could win big! A collaboration with the World Design Capital 2014 (WDC2014), this recently launched competition is inviting everyone to put on their thinking caps – and hard hats – and come up with a new look for the façade of Africa’s first skyscraper.

Built back in 1962, the reimagining of this Mother City landmark will happen alongside the WDC2014 celebrations next year, and form part of the renewal and expansions of the Foreshore as proud Port of Africa.

Media 24’s CEO, Esmaré Weideman thinks the competition will breathe new life into the building, situated in a part of Cape Town where such dramatic change and expansion is happening: “This is our opportunity to use the principles of sustainable design to transform a landmark building at the centre of the area, and to celebrate the innovation and design thinking that has led the development of Cape Town’s creative economy. What’s more, this is a great opportunity to participate in the rebranding of Media24 as a funky, on-the-move media company.”

Everyone is invited to submit proposals, so whether you’re an architect, graphic designer, urban planner, innovator or novice artist, get thinking! As Alayne Reesberg of the WDC2014 says: “The competition is designed to ignite the imagination of creatives across the country and inspire them to use their design skills to transform an important piece of the city’s architectural heritage.”

Only ideas developed around additions, installations and visual solutions for the building will be considered, no plans for physical changes to the original structure will be accepted. Judges will make their selection based on sustainability, aesthetic appeal and wider community involvement in implementing the design.

Entries close on 28 February 2014 and a first prize of R200 000, a second prize of R80 000 and a third prize of R40 000 are up for grabs! The winner will be announced on 11 April 2014.

More information is available on www.design.24.com