Construction World July 2021

ENV I RONMENT & SUSTAINABI L I TY

“I look forward to a future when African architecture and design is defined by a sustainable innovation, local relevance and using methods of building that are both economically and environmentally conscious and which respond to the needs of our world.” Director DesignSpaceAfrica and Immediate Past President of SAIA, Dr Luyanda Mpahlwa

Awarded and commended projects of the sixth AfriSam-SAIA Sustainable Design Award were announced at a virtual awards ceremony, which recognised some of Africa’s leading lights in the sustainable African architectural and design innovation space. THE 13 AWARDED PROJECTS IN THE AFR ISAM-SAIA SUSTAINABLE DESIGN AWARD

of accolades, with eight awards and three commendations, while one project received an award in Category B. In Category C, two projects received awards and two were commended, with Category D enjoying the same result: two awards and two commendations. Speaking at the event, Director DesignSpaceAfrica and Immediate Past President of SAIA, Dr Luyanda Mpahlwa, says the adjudicators viewed some exceptional projects of various scale and complexity. “It was evident that architecture of a high standard is being produced in the country, architecture that is commendable and internationally competitive – noting that sustainability is being given increasingly more attention by architects and their clients. “I look forward to a future when African architecture and design is defined by a sustainable innovation, local relevance and using methods of building that are both economically and environmentally conscious and which respond to the needs of our world.” Eben Keun, General Manager for AfriSam- SAIA Sustainable Design Award since inception in 2009, says the growth of the award over the years bears testimony to the positive impact sustainable design can have on the planet and its most in-need communities. “The projects

N otably, the award advocates for design projects that are responsive to the social complexities, growth requirements and the needs of marginalised communities in South Africa and throughout the Africa diaspora. Entries for the 2019/2020 award were submitted in four categories, namely Category A: Sustainable New Building or the Conservation and Restoration of an Existing One; Category B: Practice-based Action and Research Work in the Field of Sustainability and the Built Environment; Category C: Sustainable Product or Technology; and Category D: Sustainable Social Programmes.

Each category was judged according to five criteria, namely harmonisation, people upliftment, new ways of thinking, placemaking performance and leadership. While 13 projects were awarded, nine others were commended by the judges. Amongst these were three off-the-grid accommodation projects, seven education facilities, seven social impact projects, five inventive technologies and techniques, two healthcare facilities, three new inventions and innovations, two community housing projects, two research centres, one heritage home and one research paper. Category A garnered the highest number

14 CONSTRUCTION WORLD JULY 2021