Wits graduate wins 2015 Corobrik National Student Architect Awards
- School of Architecture and Planning
Vedhant Maharaj became the 29th architectural student to take first prize at the Corobrik Architectural Awards.
Masters graduate (M.Arch, School of Architecture and Planning), Vedhant Maharaj's winning dissertation, entitled Yantra, Infrastructure of the Sacred and Profane, exhibited critical elements that had been picked out by the judges – innovation and technical excellence expressed with a keen understanding of the combined social, economic and environmental context that is changing the approach to the built environment today.
"Innovation differentiates design resolutions and helps define architecture. Innovation in sync with context provides the delight factor permitting architectural design to compete comfortably on the world stage. Technical skill, the ability to create memorable form that draws one in while treading softly on our planet put the finishing touches to sustainable architecture,” said Corobrik managing director, Dirk Meyer.
Vedhant Maharaj with the Corobrik directors: (from left) Richard Baker, Peter du Trevou, Richard Baker, Isaac Letsholo and Dirk Meyer
Meyer said that all eight entries showed how innovation could blend with sustainability, social awareness and technical excellence. However, Vedhant Maharaj's offering, illustrated how creativity could make an exceptional and meaningful contribution to South Africa's diverse and multi-cultural landscape.
A delighted Kirsten Doermann, who co-supervised the thesis said the mastering of change of scale is exceptionally convincing. “Yantra works as political argument down to the design of bricks in 1:1. He uses the language of tectonics as a tool to make the city into a space for a society of the collective, a rare yet highly needed ambition within our profession."
Responding to the announcement that Vedhant Maharaj had been presented with this year's Corobrik Architectural Award, Dr. Mpho Matsipa, Maharaj's co-supervisor said that, Yantra,explored water infrastructure provided water that was safe for human consumption while respecting the rich architectural heritage of Varanasi. "In so doing, he demonstrated both a nuanced and layered understanding of sustainability, technological and social innovation which encompasses daily spatial practices on the Ganges River, larger scale developmental processes in India, heritage in the built environment and everyday spatial practices as well as the complexities of religious plurality in India. Additionally, this thesis is rigorously researched, using both primary and secondary sources, with confidence and creativity.”
In addition to winning the Corobrik Architectural Award, the Wits graduate also received an Honorable Mention in the LafargeHolcim Forum Student Poster Competition for the same project: YANTRA, Infrastructures of the Sacred and Profane.
Posters by students from twelve of the world’s leading technical universities were displayed at the 5th International LafargeHolcim Forum 2016. The posters encouraged stimulating discussions on approaches to sustainable construction.
The winners certificate was presented by Rolf Soiron, Chairman of the Board of the LafargeHolcim Foundation and Maria Atkinson, Member of the Board of the LafargeHolcim Foundation in April this year.
Sources: Corobrik (Corobrik Architectural Awards)
LafargeHolcim Foundation (Student Poster Competition)