WORDS Michaela Stehr IMAGES Supplied
Local leading surfacing brand Caesarstone has announced the winners of the Caesarstone Student Design Competition 2022.
The brief, conceptualised by award-winning architect Mokena Makeka was “From Ashes, We Rise”, pushing the boundaries of the entrants to think outside the box and get creative with their designs. The concept revolved around the rethinking and rebuilding of the home of South African Democracy, the National Assembly. “The National Assembly is where democracy can thrive and there’s an avenue for change to happen,” says Megan Noel, Head of Marketing at Caesarstone.
Through the brief, entrants were asked to be bold in their designs and re-imagine a new National Assembly in its entirety. Entries needed to reflect the traditions and symbolism of South Africa’s heritage – while showing off their unique design aesthetics and talents.
An impressive judging panel included names like Stefan Antoni of SAOTA, Dorothy van’t Riet of Dorothy van’t Riet Design & Décor Consultants, Juliet Kavishe of IID, Jonathan Anstey of Anstey Architects, and Michele Rhoda of ARRCC.
First Place & Best Presentation Award:
The first-place prize for the 2022 SDC was awarded to Wian van der Merwe. His lecturers are Jaco Landman and Nica Maree at BHC School of Design. Stefan Antoni of SAOTA had this to say about the winning entry: “Overall the graphic is just so clear, and so engaging that you’re drawn to it. You can feel the spaces and magic inside – that’s why it was such a clear winner.”
Second Place:
Anine Naudé’s outstanding entry boasted a powerful narrative implemented throughout the presentation. “The space was used really well, and we all thought that this is something that’s extremely buildable,” says Michele Rhoda of ARRCC. Her lecturer is Gené Keet at CAD4ALL Institute of Applied Architecture who helped her develop the presentation into a worthy second-place spot.
Third Place:
Nielle Crafford’s magnificent entry was selected by the judges because it really summed up the ‘rise from ashes’ theme. “To take something quite disastrous that happened, but then to celebrate it in a beautiful way in the idea of the protea is wonderful,” says Jonathan Anstey of Anstey Architects. Her lecturers are the multi-talented Jaco Landman and Nica Maree from the BHC School of Design.
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