South African architecture and design firm SAOTA has won a prestigious award at the World Architecture Festival (WAF) 2024 for their Meru project in the ‘Future Projects – House’ category. The event, held earlier this month, recognised exceptional architectural designs from around the world.
A renowned global architecture event
The WAF, one of the most highly regarded architecture festivals globally, brings together over 1 500 professionals from across the industry. Over three days, the event, held this year at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore, showcases groundbreaking designs that push the boundaries of architecture and innovation.
SAOTA’s recognition: A milestone achievement
This award represents a significant achievement for SAOTA, a globally recognised architecture firm with a presence on six continents. The firm is known for its creative and forward-thinking approach to architecture, led by a dynamic team including Stefan Antoni, Philip Olmesdahl, Greg Truen, Phillippe Fouché, Mark Bullivant, Roxanne Kaye, Logen Gordon, Dani Reimers, and Dominik George. Their work is celebrated for its dedication to both design excellence and the meticulous execution of projects worldwide.
Future Projects – House: Celebrating innovation in residential design
The ‘Future Projects – House’ category at the WAF highlights unbuilt residential designs that emphasise sustainability, adaptability, and forward-thinking concepts. Projects in this category are evaluated based on their originality, environmental and cultural responsiveness, and their potential to influence the future of residential architecture.
Meru: Inspired by nature and local heritage
The Meru project, which draws inspiration from the unique Meru Oak tree found in parts of Kenya, is currently in its design phase. The concept is rooted in reinterpreting traditional kraal architecture, particularly the boma, and integrates locally sourced materials such as sundried bricks, coral stone, and hessian cladding. Principal architect Philippe Fouché, who is leading the project, explains, “We focused on harvesting local materials sustainably. Passive cooling strategies ensure comfort, with the design centred around a series of protective courtyards surrounded by living spaces that offer panoramic views of the surrounding bushveld.”
A strong presence at WAF 2024
In addition to Meru, SAOTA had several other projects shortlisted for WAF 2024. These included Upper Albert in the Completed Buildings: Housing category and Kalahari Dunes for Future Project: Leisure Led Development, developed in collaboration with ARRCC. This win marks the firm’s first official WAF award.
An international judging panel
The WAF 2024 judging panel included over 140 experts from 68 countries, with prominent figures such as Charu Kokate, Senior Partner/Director at Safdie Architects, and Mario Cucinella, Founder of Mario Cucinella Architects, among the judges. Notably, SAOTA’s Philip Bartman, Senior Associate, also served on the panel but was not allowed to vote on his own company’s entries due to impartiality rules.
A global celebration of architecture
This year’s WAF winners span the globe, with notable accolades going to firms like CONTEXTO and Klein Dytham Architecture. The recognition for Meru highlights SAOTA’s continued success in shaping the future of architecture with projects that balance innovation, sustainability, and cultural resonance.
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