SAOTA Presents Commune at the World Architecture Festival 2025

At the World Architecture Festival 2025, SAOTA’s Kerian Robertson presented Commune – a design-led urban intervention shortlisted in Future Projects.

WORDS Gina Dionisio RENDERS Courtesy of SAOTA

While the annual World Architecture Festival (WAF) is best known for celebrating outstanding architectural and interior projects from across the globe, numerous talks, workshops and presentations also take place throughout the awards week.

One of these was delivered by SAOTA’s Senior Associate and Architectural Designer, Kerian Robertson, who presented Commune – a project that illustrates how design-led strategies can shape cities that are sustainable, connected, and socially vibrant.

Commissioned by the South African Design Indaba, Commune, which was shortlisted in the Future Projects – Civic category, is a transformative intervention in Cape Town’s CBD. The project reclaims a neglected urban site and introduces Africa’s first publicly accessible cross-laminated timber (CLT) structure, crafted from locally sourced invasive eucalyptus. This pioneering approach sets a benchmark for sustainable, low-impact construction while activating the city’s core as a vibrant hub for the creative industry, cultural production, and inclusive economic opportunity.

“Commune is rooted in the city’s broader urban strategy to strengthen pedestrian connections between key public institutions while attracting a diverse audience of locals and visitors,” says Kerian.

The design features layered, adaptable spaces that foster interaction and entrepreneurship. Elevated platforms create dynamic areas for commerce, performance, and social exchange, while sheltered spaces below offer subsidised opportunities for emerging designers, artisans, and food vendors, supporting small-scale creators who might otherwise struggle to gain visibility. saota.com | worldarchitecturefestival.com

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