GIfA 2021 AWARDS
Award of Commendation
ELEVATE
New affordable Housing Development for Ithemba Property
New Doornfontein, Johannesburg
GASS Architecture Studios 011-482 2045/082-877 1132
Situated in the heart of New Doornfontein, Johannesburg, Elevate sits a mere 0.5kms from the Maboneng Precinct making this an ideal location for the development of affordable housing. The building caters to the emerging market of young professionals aspiring to move to the inner city where job opportunities lie and as part of a bigger dream to undoing the spatial apartheid of Johannesburg’s past.
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THE DIAMOND
JEWEL CITY
Refurbishment of an existing building into apartments for Diversity Urban Property Fund
JOHANNESBURG
GASS ARCHITECTURE STUDIOS
The Diamond (Block 1) is one of six City Blocks that forms part of the Jewel City development - a massive urban redevelopment project on the outskirts of the Maboneng Precinct in Joburg’s eastern CBD. The building was a refurbishment of an existing Industrial building that used to house offices for various small businesses that formed part of the South African precious metals refinement / trading industry.
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THE PINES
Refurbishment of an Existing Office Building for Taropark Properties
Parktown Johannesburg
GASS architecture Studio
Hidden amongst a sea of ancient trees in Johannesburg’s lush suburb of Parktown is an existing office building situated on the historic Hollard Complex. GASS Architecture Studios were approached by the client with a brief that involved the refurbishment of this existing building and its 1500m² of office space. One of the primary elements of the initial brief was to respond sensitively to the surrounding historical context of the precinct, which consists of various significant heritage structures dating back to the late 1800s.
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BARNATO HALL EXTENSION PHASE 2
Student Residence
For the University of the Witwatersrand
26’10south Architects – 011-830 0220
This is the second phase of an extension to a student residence that clips into the existing building’s infrastructure to provide an additional 150+ rooms. With a national shortfall of 250 000 beds (according to the Department of Higher Education) this project demonstrates a way to deliver policy compliant accommodation whilst breathing new life into existing facilities. The Barnato extension was delivered for 30% less than a new-build residence by carefully integrating it with the existing building.
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19AM
Braamfontein Johannesburg
GASS Architecture Studios
19AM is an existing building, situated in Braamfontein, Johannesburg, between Hoofd, Ameshoff, Biccard and Simmonds street. The building is situated next door to the Johannesburg Civic theatre and the portion of Ameshoff and Simmonds that are pedestrianised. Therefore, the design focus on ground floor spaces was to open the building’s southern façade. New retail boxes were added on the Ameshoff and Biccard street boundaries with large balcony spaces overlooking the pedestrianised street. Future planning for the building involved a redesign of the public space in Ameshoff street that include new paving, planting and a ramp and stairs leading up to the.
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Award for Small Practice – Small Budget
ÜBERPORT
Morningside Johannesburg
AOJ Architecture & Interiors – 087-802 0000
AOJ Architecture & Interiors
Every once in a while, a project that does not fit the mould comes along. In this instance it came in the unusual form of a carport. Having done work for this client before, when asked if we could design him a parking structure, we know immediately that this would not be your standard 6x6m lip-channel carport.
A challenging project, with a simple brief that could be loved and detailed to death.
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RESTORATION OF THE WORKERS’ MUSEUM COTTAGES IN NEWTOW
For the City of Johannesburg
MAYAT HART ARCHITECTS – 083-331 9520
Dating from the early 20th century, the Workers Cottages in Newtown, Johannesburg, form part of the Workers Museum Complex. The Workers Museum is located in a former black migrant workers’ hostel, with the adjacent cottages built for white staff and supervisors. The museum speaks of the harsh segregated labour practices in the city with the relative comfort of the adjacent cottages further highlighting the segregation and prejudice that existed between workers of different races.
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CONTEMPORARY INFILL FOR A HOUSE OLDER THAN 60YEARS
For M. JENNINGS & G.FOURIE
WESTCLIFF JOHANNESBURG
ORIGIN & JAMES ARCHITECTURE & DESIGN – 073-196 1036
Upon arrival through the jacaranda lined street, one notices a contemporary floating glass box which sets the perfect vantage point for the golden retrievers to meet guests. Just offset is a glimpse of the original red roof peaking over the boundary wall. The outcome of this bold renovation and addition project is a seamless flow of old and new. The new additions introduces vast amounts of natural light and open space, offset by the intimate spaces of the original home, making for a deeply satisfying sense of place. Both old and new successfully merges together and extends beyond to a large north-facing patio, braai deck, swimming pool, garden terrace and a private main bedroom with a courtyard set in a lush evergreen garden with beautiful trees and birdlife.
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THE ELEMENTS LIBRARY
King David SANDTON
HUBO STUDIO – 083 570 7348
The Elements is an inclusive concept as the golden thread that can be found in every story and every book. Earth, air, fire and water, all surrounding the universe, relate to David Thornburg's Campfires, Caves and Watering Holes. The spatial exploration of each element allows a diversity of experience and multiple teaching and learning opportunities. Story time around the proverbial campfire, or a lesson on an iPad in the cloud. This is a future-proof space where every element is of the highest production standards and quality. The detail design is a lesson in engineering, construction and how things fit together.
A magnetic scrabble board with CNC routered letters. Printed wallpapers, hanging pods that are actually bolted to the ground; marmoleum floors, planets created by incredible artists, a baby-sized humpback whale and an air chamber- Ferrari cloth and machano steelwork.
This project was only possible through the generosity and ingenuity of the donor as well as the incredible participation of our subcontractors. The Elements Library becomes a set production for the young minds that will make use of it on a daily basis.
Each trip to the library becomes an exciting, explorative and magical experience.
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Research Work Award
NEIL AGGETT INQUEST 2020
Forensic architecture support evidence
Savage & Dodd Architects – 011-782 8188
At the conclusion of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission process more than 300 cases were referred to the National Prosecuting Authority in 1998. These related to prosecutions of perpetrators who made no disclosures nor asked for amnesty from the TRC. Despite the passage of time, there has been an orchestrated suppression at the highest level of any post-TRC prosecutions. The families of those who seek both the truth and justice have pursued the re-opening of these cases.
Neil Aggett, a medical doctor allegedly committed suicide whilst in police custody in John Vorster Square in 1982 after being held for 70 days in detention without trial. The re-opened Aggett Inquest started in January 2020 and after being delayed by the Covid Pandemic concluded in February 2021. ‘Forensic Architecture’ is a practice of using architectural techniques to investigate cases of state violence and violations of human rights. In this case this practice was applied to investigate and interrogate the spaces within John Vorster Square in support of the evidence led by the Legal Team seeking a narrative that would overturn the original Inquest finding.
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Award of Merit
​LINKSFIELD SHUL AND COMMUNITY CENTRE
HUBO STUDIO
The Linksfield Shul and Community Centre is a special project as it engages with an existing synagogue and community space close to Hubo’s heart. This whole project began with the envisioning of youth at the forefront. It was transformed into a state of the art, unique and next level centre of Jewish life. The shul and community centre was envisioned holistically and completed in two phases. The first phase was a small synagogue, function hall, kitchen and kids’ room. The combination of these spaces meant that in just 6 months, before the high holy days, these spaces had to be completed. The insane adrenaline and incredible rush saw a complete transformation of these spaces.
NEW PREPARATORY SCHOOL FOR ST JOHN’S COLLEGE
PENCHARC (Pty) Ltd – 011-784 3860
St John’s College boasts an enviable architectural heritage. Our campus is home to some of the oldest and most beautiful buildings in the city. In 1916, the Preparatory School moved to the original College buildings, where it has remained ever since. Necessary additions to the original buildings were made over the years, notably in 1925, 1939 and 1957 to accommodate a growing enrolment list. Since these humble beginnings, education and curricula have evolved to meet the needs of a knowledge and technology rich society. The skills of our current, complex world include collaboration, complex problem-solving and creativity to name a few. It was evident that Mark Pencharz took the time to understand this changing landscape.
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THE ONYX - JEWEL CITY
New Residential BuIlding for Divercity Urban Property Fund
JOHANNESBURG
GASS ARCHITECTURE STUDIOS
The Diamond (Block 1) is one of six City Blocks that forms part of the Jewel City development - a massive urban redevelopment project on the outskirts of the Maboneng Precinct in Joburg’s eastern CBD. The architectural brief involved repurposing the existing industrial buildings, The Onyx, previously an empty city block used as a parking lot, now houses a 13-storey residential building that stands as the Flagship building of the Jewel City precinct. The Onyx, the second of the residential buildings, features a large public square and urban park, flanked with trees and retail space as well as a safe children’s play area that spills out on to the square, animated by fountains and public art. The zero-level fountain will be easy to deactivate so that this central piazza can be used for events, including concerts, conferences, exhibitions and markets.
ODE TO OAK PAVILLION
The Country Club Johannesburg
Rebel Base Collective – 087-802 0780
Our aim was to create a refined piece of architecture that would adorn the northern façade of The Country Club Johannesburg, Auckland Park, clubhouse patio. A piece, that not only addressed all the club’s practical needs but also the challenges posed by its heritage, both structurally and socially. The roofs undulating form creates an open, light and voluminous space that is also intimate. This hovers above and tucks behind the existing nautical, art-deco handrail in a junctural marriage between the existing and the proposed. The roof’s deep overhangs allow for the space to be fully shaded during summer and baked in sunlight during Johannesburg’s chilly winter months, making the patio a pleasant year-round experience.
WESTBURY TRANSFORMATION & DEVELOPMENT CENTRE
For JOHANNESBURG DEVELOPMENT AGENCY (JDA) & CoJ DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
Westbury Johannesburg
NTSIKA ARCHITECTS (Pty) Ltd
The Westbury Transformation Centre (TDC) is a mixed-use public building. The project focuses on developing an approach to engaging with communities in a meaningful, sustainable way. It seeks to create an innovative, locally fabricated architecture from a local palette of materials, using maximum local skills.
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Award of Excellence
HOUSE HARRIS
BIRDHAVEN JOHANNESBURG
ARCH3D STUDIOS – 072-422 7650
One is immediately captured by the different material usage; timber, off-shutter concrete and Rheinzink cladding. These materials are carried through internally, creating a layering system, which interplays with the different volumes, merging the external and internal spaces.
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BARLOWORLD EQUIPMENT SHOWROOM
KEMPTONPARK
PARAGON ARCHITECTS – 011-482 3781
Architectural innovation by means of curves that were conceptually derived from the shape and form of one of the earthmoving equipment tracks. The undulating curving shell over the length of the showroom is supported by a finely detailed steel structure which focuses on the volume, shifting from a 7.5m high bulge to the central apex of approximately 14.5m and back to the intermediate 12m western bulge. North of the structure is the highway facing full-height flush glazed unitized façade that has 8,4m x 5,5m flush glazed vertical sliding door which takes the shape of the enclosed showroom and the south structure stacking behind is the office component that has cantilever office pods and meeting rooms overlooking the iconic equipment.
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OGGIE SHOWROOM
For Oggie Hardwood Flooring
PARKHURST
C76 ARCHITECTURE – 082-563 2231
Nestled amongst the leafy northern suburbs of Johannesburg; the new 6th Street Parkhurst showroom of the Oggie hardwood flooring company, seems to unfold and open outward (in some ways literally!) as something of a retail retreat. With the option of rentable office above the showroom, the design integrates flexible plans open to integrating a variety of access to, and uses of space. The building is shaped successfully by focusing on featuring Oggie's indoor and outdoor flooring range within an open and customizable commercial space, well suited to client interaction and sales.
JEWEL CITY
Mixed Use Urban Renewal for Divercity Urban Property Fund
JOHANNESBURG
GASS ARCHITECTURE STUDIOS
GASS ARCHITECTURE STUDIOS
This massive urban redevelopment project on the outskirts of the Maboneng Precinct in Joburg’s eastern CBD breathes new life into the previously walled-off former centre of the diamond and precious metals trade industry in Johannesburg, South Africa. The complex consists of six city blocks of industrial buildings, some dating back to the 1930s. The entire area was closed off to the public in
the mid-90s and has remained an isolated and forgotten node for decades. Jewel City includes the reinvention of this pre-existing industrial complex as an open, vibrant mixed-use precinct that introduces a more sustainable dimension (socially and economically) and new diversity to early inner-city rejuvenation projects.
THE BANK
For BLEND PROPERTY 17 (PTY) LTD
ROSEBANK JOHANNESBURG
DAFFONCHIO ARCHITECTS – 011-447 8118
Originally the site of FNB in the 1970’s, 24 Cradock Avenue is now home to a formidable successor, The Bank. With its vibrant pedestrian and café culture, art galleries, tree-lined avenues and thriving commercial life, Rosebank is a unique combination of Art Deco charm and contemporary metropolitan style. The Bank seeks to be representative of this rich heritage. The use of local materials to create a landmark that fits into its context was done through the careful use of colour, volume, landscaping and texture. By building with custom made rough faced black bricks that were locally manufactured specifically for The Bank, the façade retains its strength and stoicism, whilst giving warmth and charm through texture. The subtle use of brass on the façade, art deco inspired steel and balustrade detailing as well soft landscaping and lighting meant that the building exudes a metropolitan art-deco aesthetic.
