A Bloemfontein-based Architecture graduate, Ané Meyer, has scooped one of two coveted prizes at the 2022 Corobrik Student Architecture Awards.
She received a special commendation plus R20 000 in prize money, with Luzuko Funda from the Nelson Mandela University (NMU) claiming the first prize of R70 000.
The two were announced as the winners at an event held on 16 May at the Langhams conference estate in Johannesburg. Meyer, who has a master’s degree from the University of the Free State (UFS) walked home R30 000 richer, in addition to the R10 000 she received as the regional winner.
Five women and three men vied for these prizes. The finalists were selected from eight major South African universities, each based on their architectural master’s thesis from the class of 2022.
Meyer’s project, “Ephemeral Skin: Towards a Reparational, Relational, and Respectful Engagement with the Temporal Environment,” saw the design of an algae research and manufacturing institute at Hartbeespoort Dam.
The building will partly disappear over time, leaving a public park after the threat posed by hazardous algae blooms, and the subsequent need for algae research is no longer dominant.
“This year the judges felt it was such a close competition that they wanted to commend a student who delivered outstanding work,” said Peter du Trevou, chairman of the clay face brick manufacturer, Corobrik.
