The Gauteng Institute for Architecture (GIfA) hosts its biennial Awards for Architecture on 31 October 2013 at The Forum – Turbine Hall, one of Newtowns foremost architectural venues.
With the Awards fast approaching and the winners already selected by the esteemed judging panel made up of Architects from around Gauteng, excitement is building to announce the recipients of this sought after accolade. This year’s finalists cover the spectrum of our diverse Johannesburg cityscape, from the Diepsloot Taxi Rank to one of the newest icons in the Sandton metropolis, the Alexander Forbes building.
The entries selected illustrate a number of interesting trends:
• The extent to which architects are being asked to do more with less, an increasingly important approach in the face of economic constraints and dwindling environmental resources.
• The increasing need for flexibility, so that buildings can accommodate a diversity of uses.
• The large number of beautifully executed ‘adds-and-alts’, demonstrating that it is possible to achieve architectural excellence even in the most modest of circumstances.
• The diversity of architectural approaches that are needed in a city which continues to be harshly divided, with areas of enormous beauty and privilege, and areas of severe deprivation.
• The large number of entries which represent investments in learning – libraries, university buildings, museums and theatres… These provide hope for the future of architecture and for the future of our province.
The awards are set to captivate the City’s energy bringing together diverse elements of arts and architecture. Guest speaker Alayne Reesberg, CEO of Cape Town Design who is steering the C.T World Design Capital 2014, will further add to the diversity of the evening.
Daniel van der Merwe on this year’s awards:
‘With a lot of effort in its planning and execution, the 2013 GIfA Awards for Architecture promises to deliver an epic event, resulting in the best architecture of the last two years being identified and celebrated.’
The awards are sponsored by some of the built industry’s most respected corporations. Sponsors are as follows:
• PPC Cement
A JSE – Listed company. It is the leading supplier of cement in Southern Africa.
• HBS
Their core business is developing, stocking and selling of branded aluminium systems that architects and fabricators trust.
• Hulamin
Hulamin is one of the leading manufacturing businesses in South African, is listed on the Johannesburg Securities Exchange and has carved out a niche in the global aluminium rolled products market.
• Caesarstone
Operating since 1987, through a fusion of science, technology and artistic talent, they have been creating quartz surfaces which are not only beautiful to look at, but also superior in adaptability and practicality.
• NeoLith
New to the South African market, NEOLITH is the largest, high-tech, porcelain slab available. NEOLITH provides the most efficient solutions for any architectural or design project, making it the new product of choice for interior, exterior and home applications.
• Distell
Africa’s leading producer and marketer of spirits, fine wines, ciders and ready-to-drinks (RTDs), Distell creates exceptional brands with strong consumer focus offering real value for money across the pricing continuum.
• South African Décor and Design
A publishing house that specializes in the publication of décor and design titles for the South African Market.
About GIfA
GIfA is a voluntary association established in 1996 and incorporates the Gauteng region of the previous Transvaal Institute for Architects (founded in 1909). The Institute is a member of SACAP (SA Council for the Architectural profession and is a regional affiliation of SAIA (SA Institute for Architects). For further information about GIfA please visit: www.gifa.org.za
