MAKING AN IMPACT
2021/2022 Corobrik-SAIA Awards
Held biennially, the 2021/2022 Corobrik-South African Institute of Architecture (SAIA) Awards of Merit and Awards for Excellence were announced at a gala event held in Johannesburg on 26 April 2023, and live-streamed to audiences across South Africa. The awards programme recognises peers and celebrates unique talent.
The adjudication panel received a total of 42 projects, including two research projects, that were entered into the national awards programme, which is structured over a two-year period and conducted in two stages. Stage one sees the regional awards for architecture presented by the nine regional institutes affiliated to SAIA.
In Stage two, the winning regional projects that are entered into the national awards receive either a Commendation, an Award of Merit and/or an Award for Excellence, which acknowledges exceptional achievement in the field of architecture. www.saia.org.za
On the A-list
Chief Executive Amelia Beattie of precinct-focused, retail-centred REIT Liberty Two Degrees (L2D) has made it onto Africa.com’s Definitive List of Women CEOs for the third consecutive year. The data-driven list recognises women who helm large, listed companies in Africa, and focuses on the business’s transformation and operational excellence within the property arena.
With 22 years’ experience in the sector, Beattie is passionate about making a difference to the people and communities a property serves, and is equally dedicated to matters of diversity and women’s equality in the industry. “Leadership has the responsibility to drive positive outcomes, and celebrating the achievements of women is important with the hope that it will further encourage increased representation of women across different sectors,” she says.
Chief Executive Amelia Beattie of precinct-focused, retail-centred REIT Liberty Two Degrees (L2D) has made it onto Africa.com’s Definitive List of Women CEOs for the third consecutive year. The data-driven list recognises women who helm large, listed companies in Africa, and focuses on the business’s transformation and operational excellence within the property arena.
With 22 years’ experience in the sector, Beattie is passionate about making a difference to the people and communities a property serves, and is equally dedicated to matters of diversity and women’s equality in the industry. “Leadership has the responsibility to drive positive outcomes, and celebrating the achievements of women is important with the hope that it will further encourage increased representation of women across different sectors,” she says.
GBCSA masterclass series
In the coming months, GBCSA’s masterclass series offers a deep dive into various technical aspects of green buildings. The two-hour, high-impact sessions range in subject matter and aim to equip green building professionals, architects, developers and contractors with a greater understanding of green building aspects.
Each masterclass (one per month) addresses a unique building aspect and will be delivered by professional experts in the sector. The sessions are hosted online in the afternoon via the GBCSA Zoom webinar platform, with an informal approach that allows opportunity for engagement.
The fourth masterclass teams up with Watericon to look at sustainable water-use solutions.
Together with ProNature, Masterclass 3 on 12 July 2023 focuses on natural paint technology. Natural paint is free of volatile organic compounds, contains natural ingredients, is asthma- and allergy-friendly, washable and scrub-resistant.
On 17 August 2023, Masterclass 4 looks at sustainable water-use solutions with Watericon, unpacking technical solutions to reduce water consumption, and implement water harvesting and recycling techniques.
Visit www.gbcsa.org.za/workshops for more information.
Sustainability Disclosure Framework
The South African Real Estate Investment Trust (SA REIT) Association is in the final stages of developing its Sustainability Disclosure Guide & Framework, a resource that aims to assist South African REITs and real estate organisations align with international best practices in environmental, social and governance (ESG) reporting.
“This framework will play a vital role in enabling REITs to comprehensively measure, report, and track their sustainability efforts. Establishing clear guidelines and metrics empowers companies to set ambitious goals, identify areas for improvement, and showcase their progress transparently,” said Joanne Solomon, CEO at the SA REIT Association. For more, go to t.ly/dpTp
For people and planet
Launched by WorldGBC in May 2023, the Circular Built Environment Playbook report presents market-leading circular principles and strategies in action, calling on the building and construction sector to accelerate the implementation of circular and regenerative principles.
Through this publication, the WorldGBC network aspires to increase awareness and accessibility of circular economy solutions for the built environment sector in order to guide all stakeholders towards sustainable, circular decision making.
The WorldGBC global Circularity Accelerator programme catalyses action for the uptake of net-zero whole life resource depletion in the built environment, and the restoration of resources and natural systems within a thriving circular economy.
WorldGBC is driving action towards its guiding goal for resource efficiency and circularity: “A built environment that facilitates the regeneration of resources and natural systems, while providing socio-economic benefit through a circular economy.” To view or download the report, visit www.worldgbc.org
Creating inclusive places
Along with a growing awareness that people and communities are fundamental to the success of cities and businesses – as well as a demand for transparency and authenticity – city decision-makers and professionals in the built environment industry are acknowledging the importance of social value in relation to place.
Dr Sara Candiracci leads global sustainable development collective Arup’s Inclusive Cities & Social Value business in Europe, which brings together urban planners, social scientists and environmental specialists to create resilient and healthy cities.
Join the GBCSA’s 16th Green Building Convention, 15-17 November 2023, at Cape Town’s Century City Conference Centre as Dr Candiracci unpacks how urban planning can deliver social value in cities today. www.gbcsaconvention.org.za
