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a three-day showcase of design thinking,
innovation and collaboration.
“The Architecture Student Contest is
about more than competition, it’s about
preparing students for the realities of an
industry that is evolving rapidly,” says
Samukelisiwe Mkize, Academy Manager
at Saint-Gobain South Africa. “We are
seeing young designers engage deeply
with sustainability, not as a concept, but
as a responsibility. They understand that
the decisions they make today will shape
how people live, work and interact with
their environments in the future.” 2nd place winners
The ASC was first launched in 2004
and expanded internationally in 2005,
positioning itself as one of the few student
competitions globally that simulates a 3rd place winners
live client brief. Each year, a host country
is selected, and students are tasked with
solving a real architectural challenge
rooted in local social, cultural and
environmental dynamics.
This year’s international stage returns to
Belgrade, where participants will present
proposals that balance design excellence
with measurable sustainability outcomes;
spanning energy performance, circularity,
and indoor environmental quality.
South Africa’s track record in the
competition has already demonstrated the
calibre of local talent. In 2017, the country
made its debut on the international stage
with the University of Johannesburg
securing second place in Madrid. A year
later, the University of KwaZulu-Natal
went one better, claiming first place in
Dubai, an achievement that continues to
resonate within the local architecture and
academic community.
Beyond accolades, the contest has also Watch it live and show your support. Be part of the moment as bold ideas,
begun to unlock broader opportunities The national stage of the Saint-Gobain fresh thinking and future-focused design
across the continent. In Nigeria, for Africa Architecture Student Contest will take centre stage.
example, national winners have gone on be streamed live from their Head Office
to secure internships, highlighting how and is open for all to experience. Winners:
initiatives like the ASC can serve as a 1st place
bridge between academia and industry. Join us online and support the next • Rauen Smith
Competitions like this offer more than generation of architects as they present • Rudi Scholtz
recognition; they provide a platform their ideas on a national stage: • Nelson Mandela University
for students to test ideas, challenge • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/
conventions and engage with the kinds of company/saint-gobain-gyproc-south- 2nd Place
constraints that define real-world projects. africa/ |@Saint-Gobain Africa • Jacques Oostendurp
For many participants, the journey • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ • Sarea Sewraj
from classroom to competition stage SaintGobainAfrica • University of KwaZulu-Natal
is a defining moment that signals the • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/
transition from theory to practice. And SaintGobainAfrica/ 3rd Place
for South Africa, it is another opportunity • TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ • Reece Beukes
to showcase its creative and technical saintgobainafrica • Ekhardt Zeelie dw
talent on a global stage. • • Tshwane University of Technology

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