Architects awarded for outstanding buildings
The Mpumalanga Institute of Architects (MPIA) awards merit awards to a local architect.
NELSPRUIT – The Mpumalanga Institute of Architects (MPIA) awarded an award of merit to a local architect last week for the office block he designed. Gerhard Jooste Architects also occupy the 40A Marloth Street Office Block.
The ceremony was held at I’langa Mall on September 12. The institute described the building as a clever piece of architectural “tetris” despite its awkward and extremely restricted location. “The project is a good example of designed ingenuity and integrity in the service of a commercial client and deserving of the MPIA award for architecture.”
A design team from Pretoria received the other award of the evening. Thomas Gouws Architects and Interiors designed House Lighthelm in eMalahleni (Witbank). The judges said the house was a fine example of what can be achieved through design integrity and consistency.
“The aesthetic of steel-framed, pitched-roof, corrugated iron farm-shed with fill-in off-shutter concrete or brick-and-mortar walls and aluminium framed glass… lends itself well to the context and setting, they said.”
During the ceremony, the presenter Mr John Wiltshire from the MPIA, said they had received a total of four entries for the awards. He encouraged architects to enter their buildings. The judging criteria was both ecological and based on Vitruvius’ three pillars. According to these, a good building should satisfy the three principles of durability, utility and beauty.
The judges found that these buildings were well deserving of the merit awards for adhering to these principles. House Lighthelm features passive solar-shading devices as well as water tanks and heat pumps enclosed out of line of sight. The house’s geometrical planning also impressed the judges, who found it would make for functional and easy living.
It was also the clever use of space employed in the Marloth Street Office Block that merited the award. “The design is an effective demonstration of ”good” design costing ”less” and the clever utilisation of resources,” they said.
