African Design Magazine ADM #40 May 2018 | Page 41

WINNER’S PROFILE
mill and dye house’. Her choice was
driven by the three research fields
offered at the University of Pretoria in
their post graduate program, namely
heritage and cultural landscapes;
human settlements and urbanism;
environmental potential.
“In essence, I chose to focus on
viewing architecture through the
perspective of an environmental lens.
By doing this, I feel we as architects
can make a positive contribution to
the environment rath er than breaking
it down. This philosophy definitely
forms the crux of my personal
manifesto,” she explains.
According to Minnaar,
industrialisation has had a major
impact on many major cities around
the globe but with rapid technological
advances, many of these industrial
sites have been abandoned. She
cites the old Johannesburg Gasworks,
where she believes the application of
a process sensitive to the social and
economic environment could result in
the regeneration of this site through
adaptive reuse principles.
Minnaar is honoured to be the
31st recipient of the coveted
Corobrik Architectural Student
of the Year Award. The award is
tangible recognition of excellence
in the top Masters course students
in Architecture from universities
throughout South Africa. Prof Arthur
Barker, MProf coordinator, Research,
Archive coordinator and Heritage
and Cultural Landscapes Research
Coordinator says that “…the projects
rewarded by Corobrik are still revered
by current students, providing a
benchmark to live up to.”
“This is an award so many architecture
students dream about winning and
I really had never expected to win
it. However, last year I was totally
motivated and committed to giving
my all to my thesis so in spite of
the sleepless nights and sacrificed
weekends, it has all been worthwhile.
I am still overwhelmed and I am
extremely grateful to Corobrik and the
prestigious judges for recognising my
work,” says Minnaar.
Minnaar says that she has been
influenced by regenerative design and
finding new ways for the built industry
to positively influence and impact on
the environment. “My own designs are
defined by rigid lines and trying to find
ways of integrating the landscape and
architecture to make the boundaries
undefined – a fusion of the two
elements, if you will. I am very excited
about the future and the potential
of repairing the broken urban fabric
through regenerative architectural
practise.”
AFRICAN DESIGN MAGAZINE © | MAY 2018
41