GIfA Architecture Awards 2021 – showcasing excellence

The Elements Library by Hubo Studios, photo by Dave Southwood

GIfA Architecture Awards 2021 –

showcasing excellence

The Gauteng Institute for Architecture's (GIfA) bi-annual awards programme for 2021 showcased talented members' excellent work produced over the past two years.

New categories of achievement were introduced to include the diversity of the architects' projects.

President's Award

Notable awards include the President's Award for the Westbury Transformation Centre for Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA) and City of Johannesburg Social Development by Ntsika Architects, which also received an Award of Merit.

GifA President, Krynauw Nel, felt that this project takes the voice of the desperate and changes it into a message of hope. The building combines poetic, controlled application of architectural elements with artistic, sculptural quality.

The combination gives it a landmark presence while convincingly resisting becoming an 'object building'. The design is agile in responding to challenging site conditions and an existing structure, mainly applying proportion and scale to mediate between the existing and the new.

The jury panel noted that, "Colour, transparency and embracing architectural gestures are used to invite the community to a space tailor-made for their needs.

The building's profound achievement is that while the community experiences it as architecture with a small 'a'; the sophistication of its design and execution earn it a capital 'A'."

People's Choice Award

The People's Choice Award for the Elements Library at King David School, Sandton, by Hubo Studios, also received an Award of Commendation from the jurors. The library users are enveloped in the elements of earth, fire, air, and water which are embodied on each floor with playful confidence.

"There is never a dull moment as the spaces encapsulate child-like wonder and infuse mundane activities with magic and a surprise around every corner. Children can read at the campfire, frolic in the waves with life-size sea creatures, or get lost in a forest of fairy-tales, climbing into the clouds (or iPad pods) to rest from their many adventures," commented the jury panel.

Research Award

The Research Award for The Neil Aggett Inquest 2020 for the architectural forensic report compiled by Savage + Dodd Architects constitutes the forensic architectural evidence collected for the renewed inquest into the death of Neil Aggett. The architects recreated this framework's spatial quality, sequencing the logical unfolding of events.

The Westbury Community Centre by Ntsika Architects, photo by Nadia Tromp

According to the jury panel, this work contributes to recording a new narrative concerning the unfinished business of pursuing restorative justice in South Africa. In this, the role of architects and the built environment has not been interrogated until now.

Client of the Year Award, Small Projects/ Small Practice awards

The Client of the Year Award went to Ansi and Renette Buitendag for their support to Veld Architects, as well as awards for Small Project/Small Practice for small firms with a maximum of two professional architects and projects with a value under R2million. These include the Workers' Museum Cottages in Newtown by Mayat Hart Architects, a restoration project. The elegant Contemporary Infill for a House Older than 60 years by Origin & James Architecture Design; and the Uberport by AOJ Architecture & Interiors that takes a carport to new levels.

Awards of Excellence

Awards of Excellence went to the following projects: • House Harris by Arch3D Studios • Oggie Showroom by C76 Architects • The Bank by Daffonchio Architects • the Barloworld Equipment Showroom by Paragon

Architects • Jewel City urban renewal by GASS Architecture Studios

Awards of Merit

Awards of Merit were bestowed on: • Ode to Oak Pavillion by Rebel Base

Collective • The Onyx at Jewel City by GASS

Architecture Studios • New Preparatory School for St

John's College by Pencharc (Pty) Ltd • Linksfield Shul and Community

Center by Hubo Studios,

Quite a few projects received Awards of Commendation. GIfA will showcase these projects and hopes to arrange in-person visits with the architects to some of these projects in 2022. ■