Entries have closed for the 2023 edition of PG Bison 1.618 Education Initiative, and judging is currently underway. A panel of five industry specialists will be evaluating submissions received from third-year architecture and interior design students at institutions around the country, with the awards ceremony set to take place on 12 October 2023.
The competition, first launched in 1992, aims to showcase the work of up-and-coming architecture and interior design students, and offer them the opportunity to tackle a real-world brief, competing for a cash prize of R50 000 for the winner and their lecturer, R25 000 for the runner-up and R10 000 for third-place.: Project Architect and Urban Planner for studioMAS Architects and Urban Designers, Soudien is based in the company’s Johannesburg office.
Students interpreting the brief need to meet various criteria in their submissions, including using the existing building on the site as an anchor point and using PG Bison products within appropriate internal spaces. Most importantly, they must celebrate the basic human needs of eating, sleeping, bathing and socialising through the elements of earth, fire, air and water. With the site located in a desert, the clever use of water provides a challenging aspect to the brief.
“With 19 institutions taking part this year, the entries we’ve received are very exciting, and we look forward to the judges’ feedback,” says Mwelase. “We thank our judging panel for giving of their valuable time and expertise to help make our initiative a success, and we look forward to announcing our top 10 finalists in the next few weeks.”