Following a record number of entries, the shortlisted projects for the fifth AfriSam–South African Institute of Architects (SAIA) Award for Sustainable Architecture + Innovation have been revealed.

The 14 shortlisted projects across four categories - Sustainable Architecture, Research in Sustainability, Sustainable Products and Technology, and Sustainable Social Programmes - were selected following a rigorous screening process which included assessments and on-site inspections by a six-member adjudication panel.

The AfriSam-SAIA Award for Sustainable Architecture + Innovation acknowledges excellence in best practice and innovation in sustainable architecture, recognising the contributions that bring sustainable innovation to human living environments through integrated approaches to communities, planning, architecture, design, building practice and technology.  

The biennial award reflects AfriSam’s drive towards reducing the carbon footprint of building and manufacturing of concrete materials and providing innovative solutions in architectural design that are less harmful to the environment, and which help conserve natural resources for future generations. The award programme resonates with SAIA’s commitment to foster excellence in architecture amongst its members.

Entries, submitted by April 13th this year, were required to demonstrate sound sustainable practices that respond to innovative architectural and design thinking in the field of sustainability, that complied to the criteria of harmonisation, people upliftment, evolutionary paradigm and placemaking performance.

The shortlisted projects in each of the categories are as follows:

Category A – Sustainable Architecture:

Northcliff House by Architecture for a Change (A4aC);

Khayelitsha Shared Services Office Building by ACG Architects and Development Planners/ Ngonyama Okpanum Associates;

House Burnett Prinsloo by Robert de Jager, Architect;

Fulham Heights by Local Studio (Pty) Ltd;

House Gardiner by Simply Sustainable;

RBDIZ Entrance Gate by Jeremy Steere Architect; and

Johannesburg Holocaust and Genocide Centre by Lewis Levin Architect

Category B – Research in Sustainability:

A framework for a green infrastructure planning approach in the Gauteng City-Region by Gauteng City-Region Observatory

Category C -  Sustainable Products & Technology:

Rambrick by Use It Waste Beneficiation (RF) NPC; and

hearScreen by hearX Group

Category D – Sustainable Social Programmes:

Malawi Church by A4aC Architects;

Silindokuhle Preschool by Collectif saga;

The Wilds – revitalising a forgotten public space by James Delaney; and

Table House by noero architects cc/ rainer hehl

The adjudicators for the AfriSam-SAIA Award for Sustainable Architecture + Innovation are Maryke Cronje (architect and President of the SAIA), Dr Sechaba Maape (sustainability architecture academic and architect), Philippa Tumubweinee (academic and co-founder of IZUBA INafrica Architects), Niraksha Singh (AfriSam Raw Materials and Sustainability Manager), Dr Emmanuel Nkambule (academic with particular interest in the social environment) and Richard Stretton (founder of architecture and furniture design studio Koop Design).

The AfriSam-SAIA Award for Sustainable Architecture + Innovation will form part of a prestigious gala event on 26 October 2018 at the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (MOCAA).