African Design Magazine June 2017 | Page 60

60 africandesignmagazine . com

Jean-Pierre Desvaux De Marigny from the University of KwaZulu-Natal wins the 30th Corobrik Architectural Awards

New and distinctive ideas , a high standard of technical skill , creative flair , a good grasp of sustainability issues and a clear understanding of the complex role of built structures within an evolving urban environment were just some of the reasons why Jean-Pierre Desvaux De Marigny from the University of KwaZulu-Natal won first prize at the Corobrik Architectural Awards in Johannesburg .

The competition , which has spanned three decades , has seen considerable changes in how young professionals in the architectural professional approach the built environment . Today , technological advances and sustainability imperatives are driving creativity .

Innovation with a view to lightening the built environment ’ s environmental footprint together with an innate understanding of social and cultural imperatives within South Africa are just some of the reasons that this year ’ s judges singled out De Marigny ’ s dissertation .
After presenting De Marigny with a cheque for R50 000 , Corobrik managing director , Dirk Meyer , thanked this year ’ s judges for their invaluable in put – Andre Eksteen , multi-award winning co-director at Earthworld Architects & Interiors , Tunde Oluwa , sustainable development guru and founder of Odyssey Architects S . A and Tanzeem Razak , who is passionate for spatial transformation in South African cities and director and founding partner of Lemon Pebble Architects in Johannesburg .