UKZN architectural student wins award

THE University of KwaZulu-Natal's Najeeba Hassim was selected as the regional finalist for the 29th Corobrik Architectural Student of the Year Awards.

The competition involves the country’s eight major universities where the best architectural students are identified based on their final theses and presented with awards at regional events. The winners of each of the regional competitions then go on to compete for the national title at the Corobrik Student Architect of the Year Awards in Johannesburg in May 2016.

Allin Dangers, Corobrik director of sales – coastal, presented prizes to the winners from the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Najeeba Hassim won first prize of R8 000, second prize of R6 500 went to Jean-Pierre Audibert and third prize of R4 500 was presented to Julie Eneman. An additional prize of R5 000 for the best use of clay masonry was awarded to Jean-Pierre Audibert.

Najeeba Hassim’s winning thesis title was ‘Defining an architectural typology: Inner City Green Centres within South Africa.’ She proposed an environmental research facility in KwaZulu-Natal to address threatened natural resources. She said this does not seem to be high in priority in most city projects within South Africa. “As such, a refreshed mind-set towards the built form to restore, preserve and promote key green assets is necessary,” said Hassim.

The Green Centre is located within a dynamic context of light industrial, commercial and environmental nodes, and sits along the edge of the Umgeni River in Briardene. The design promotes ‘Green as an experience’, experiencing a journey that aims to educate and expose new attitudes towards key green assets such as the Umgeni River.

The design principles were inspired by the ecological theory and the cradle to cradle approach. This allows the Green Centre to enhance its local surroundings while promoting sustainable awareness. The environmental research facility aims to search for solutions to improve the river water quality, protect and enhance eco-systems and harness untapped potential for river currents.

This proposal acts as a catalyst by positively influencing the river eco-systems and water quality, future developments along the river and the general public.

Allin Dangers said all the winners had shown a close affinity with their subjects and that their designs both enhanced and integrated with the communities in which they were sited.

He said the winners in the Corobrik Architectural Student of the Year Awards had shown outstanding maturity, innovation and technical skill in their designs which were a credit to the profession in both local and global terms.