Corobrik Architectural Student of the Year: Vedhant Maharaj

Ealier in May, Vedhant Maharaj, an architecture student from the University of Witwatersrand won the Corobrik Architectural Student of the Year award, making him the prize’s 29^th winner in its nearly three decade run.

Maharaj’s design, which formed part of his thesis, was entitled Yantra, Infrastructure of the Sacred and Profane. It proposed a multi-use water purification structure located on the edge of the River Ganges in Varanasi, India. 

“The built form mediates the relationship of different water cleaning technologies ranging from the mechanised and scientific to the natural,” explains Vedhant. “These are composed into a sanctuary, which is programmed in accordance with the daily rituals and requirements of water in the city. The building adapts itself into the vernacular urban fabric and becomes a seamless and expressive addition to Varanasi’s sprawling stepped river promenade.”

The judges, Phill Mashabane of Mashabane Rose Architects, Karuni of CNN Architects, as well as Andre Eksteen from Earthwood Eksteen selected the winner from the eight regional finalists who had received their regional awards last year. Maharaj’s design received a lot of praise for its focus on innovation and sustainability. “Innovation differentiates design resolutions and helps define architecture,” says Corobrik managing director, Dirk Meyer. “Innovation in sync with context provides the delight factor permitting architectural design to compete comfortably on the world stage. Technical skill, the ability to create memorable form that draws one in while treading softly on our planet put the finishing touches to sustainable architecture.” 

Upon hearing of the award, Dr Mpho Matsipa, his co-supervisor had this to say: “I believe that Vedhant demonstrates a lot of passion for thinking about the spatial, technological and ambient possibilities of infrastructure as culturally informed architecture. I would advise him to continue working and thinking across different scales and locations. I believe that he could become a leader in the field – specifically in terms of thinking about water architecture from the Global South.”