Call For Entry: AfriSam-SAIA Awards

WORDS Michaela Stehr

Entries are now open for the AfriSam-SAIA (South African Institute of Architects) Awards, with two new categories allocated for 2016.

The focus of the awards is around sustainability and bringing forward an integrated approach to design, planning, architecture, communities, technology and natural systems.

The categories are as follows: Sustainable Architecture, Research in Sustainability, Sustainable Products and Technology and Sustainable Social Programmes.

“The emphasis is no longer on just the architecture and building practice,” explains Kevin Bingham, Vice President of SAIA. “It is now on the ongoing collaboration and innovation of these two key stakeholders working with communities, natural systems, technology and planning across all levels. This is the only way to bring sustainable innovation to the inhabitable environments.”

The criteria for entrants is as follows:

• Harmonise the use of resources with the conservation and strengthening of ecosystems (natural, social, human, financial, infrastructure).
• Address the dignity of people through the creation of a socio-economic environment that is inclusionary, humane, self-sustaining, maximises the financial viability and impact, and acknowledges lifecycle cost efficiency during and post the implementation process and contributes towards and develops an ongoing regenerative future.
• Enhance the architectural landscape and contextual urban environment.

The adjudicators consist of convener, Kevin Bingham along with Daniel Irurah (sustainable architecture academic), Llewellyn van Wyk (sustainable architect, CSIR), Sebasti Badenhorst (AfriSam representative), Eric Noir (Africa region director of the International Union of Architects’ work programme, Architecture for a Sustainable Future) and Richard Stretton (architect and furniture designer).

Previous winner Stretton’s Koop Design won in the category of Sustainable Architecture in 2010 and 2014. 2014 also saw the Alexander Forbes Sandton Headquarters (pictured above) designed by Paragon Architects taking top honours in the built work category.

Entries close in March 2016. For more information on entry specifications, visit 4tmrw.co.za.