Competition Overview
The 2010 DesignHub Respond/Renew/Revitalise student architecture competition, sponsored by Saint-Gobain Construction Products, addresses the issues around reclaiming and revitalising an existing landmark site, taking national, regional and local imperatives into account. The winning entry will demonstrate how an innovative architectural intervention can respond, address and contribute to solving these issues, displaying meticulous attention to technical resolution and design merit, and honouring the principles of energy efficiency.
It should take detailing and construction into account, as well as the operational demands and recycling potential of the building through its entire lifecycle, with particular regard to SANS 204 recommendations and reducing the energy consumption of the site. The winning entry will display a well-considered intellectual approach to crafting a practical solution that will address the dynamic nature of South Africa’s cities in the 21st century, taking national, regional, historic and political factors into account. These include, but are not necessarily limited to housing, education, local governance, urban regeneration, health care and addressing crime, while considering potentially soaring energy costs and how to create a solution that will be sustainable in spite of these.
Fourth-year students from South Africa's architecture faculties have been invited to participate.
Competition Brief
Investigate the profile of an existing multi-storey, multi-use building in your city’s most populated or commercially active area, such as a hotel, an apartment block, or commercial office building, and provide an energy-efficient plan that revitalises the building, making it useful, sustainable and energy efficient. You should display a thorough understanding of the design issues at stake, while considering the social, political, economic and energy implications of the building and the environment in which it is found.
Challenge the original design assumptions of the building to create a sustainable architectural solution that will respond to the needs of the people living or working in its proximity, with specific consideration for its environment and energy efficiency criteria. Your proposed solution may suggest a use that is different to the functions for which the building was originally constructed.
An example of a suitable site would be an element of the Carlton complex in Johannesburg. This complex was built in the late 1960s and early 1970s, and while the office building and shopping centre elements are still in use, the hotel has been mothballed for 13 years. The buildings are located in the heart of Johannesburg, and offer the opportunity for rejuvenation to meet the needs of the inner city’s population. Saint-Gobain Construction Products has a significant dossier of information on the complex that would assist in answering the brief, with any one of the three elements under the spotlight. The information is available on application to tarryn@marketingfanantics.co.za or visit www.saint-gobaindesignhub.co.za
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