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Ideas and innovations to create a more sustainable built environment and tread with greater sensitivity on the natural environment abound as society rises to the challenges presented by global warming.
                                                                                                                               

Architects are uniquely placed to take the lead to guide design and choose specification interventions appropriate for achieving lower environmental impacts.  Understanding the contribution of different technologies in lowering such impacts with particular focus on bio- diversity conservation, wise water consumption and lower energy usage is a key requirement of architects and students of architecture have the exciting challenge of incorporating these technologies with their artistic and design talents to make a positive difference.


Speaking at the University of Johannesburg’s Awards for Architecture, Allin Dangers noted that “We are well into our third decade of sponsoring these architectural student awards.  Our intention has always been that this programme should inspire design excellence and that has not changed.  What has changed however is the emphasis on the preservation of our environment and a complicit requirement that students of architecture have a broad vision and understanding towards its preservation.  Sensitivity towards three pillars of sustainable development - the environment, the economy and our social fabric, will ultimately determine the relative success of tomorrow’s architecture in addressing the sustainability imperative”.



Jarryd Murray’s thesis is entitled ‘Tides of Change.’


The aim of the dissertation is to create a dynamic and inclusive ‘public organization’ within the rapidly developing coastal town of Ballito on the KwaZulu-Natal north coast. The development of a framework through the old Ballito village is intended to revive the village which is currently in a state of demise. The infrastructure ruptures the exclusive wall of privatized developments and creates a gateway to the regions most precious asset - the ocean.



The structure has two public levels that serve all members of the community as well a seasonal visitors - the space will also be used to accommodate the various large events that occur during the year. The lower level acts as the machine of the town and includes life saving facilities, wave energy generators and a desalination plant. Unexpected environmental threats are managed in a manner that respects the sensitive coastline.

The aim of the dissertation is to create a transient public organization to act as the machine of the rapidly developing coastal town of  Ballito on the KwaZulu-Natal North Coast. 

Murray has designed a structure on three levels so there is shelter from the elements. The construction juts out into the sea and will include lifesaving training facilities, wave energy generators and a desalination plant servicing and supplying resources through a sustainable systemic cycle.

On one level restaurants will operate and the space will serve all members of the community including visitors and information traders.

The urban part of the thesis deals with the Ballito village restoration and the public space is a catalyst which is used to activate the restoration by linking the promenade into the village through a pedestrian corridor.

In early 2013 Murray will be presenting his concept to the local council and members of the community.

In second place Daniel Lyonge’s thesis is entitled The [IM]Migrant Place; Rethinking the Architecture of the Home Affairs on Harrison Street, Johannesburg.


The architectural aim of the project was to redefine the regional office of the Home Affairs in the inner-city of Johannesburg into a multi-national and cultural building which reveals dignity, integrity, diversity and citizenship. By rethinking the notion of the 'public and 'private' space, the aim is to blur these thresholds thus establishing transparency between the receiver of the service (public) and the service provider (Home Affairs).


Third placed Dirk Coetser addressed the issue of treating acid mine water in his entry Re-mining Johannesburg. Urban development through the treatment of acid mine water.  His design provides solutions for future urban environments.


I2 = Interchange Exchange is the thesis that won the best use of Clay Brick for Karabo Mokaba.  Karabo proposes transforming the  transport Infrastructure and Improving the efficiency of public transport and vitalising the Jabulani Node, Soweto.


He says, “the material selection is inspired by the original brick of houses in Soweto which speak  of a robust yet sensible and sustainable selection of material. The use of the face brick allows building to blend into its to its context in form and in scale, offering both flexibility and solar comfort- retaining heat in the brickwork mass during the day cycles and allowing for passive heating at night.


“Secondly, the material selection is also influenced by the idea of bricklaying as a respectable trade that is 'everyday' to builders in Soweto. The use of available skills or local labour allows for community members who engage both visually and physically in the building process to feel that the building is of the community, hence the selection of brickwork as suitable material for the context of Soweto.”