PANEL OF JUDGES
JONATHAN ANSTEY                       STAUCH VORSTER ARCHITECTS
DARREN BESTER                             IT IS DESIGN
JANINA MASOJADA                        DESIGNWORKSHOP : SA
DOROTHY VAN’T RIET                     DOROTHY VAN’T RIET DESIGN & DÉCOR CONSULTANTS
LISA YOUNGER                               ACTIVATE SPACE

Jonathan Anstey StauchVorsterArchitects
Commercial, retail, transport facilities, hotels and leisure, convention centres are just a few of the disciplines embraced by Jonathan Anstey. After studying architecture at the University of Witwatersrand, Jonathan launched his career at Stauch Vorster Architects. To date, his many architectural accolades include Transit Centre – Johannesburg, St Regis Hotel – Mauritius, Mooi Rivier Mall – Potchefstroom, Standard Bank Headquarters - Nelspruit, Stoneridge Shopping Centre, Discovery Health Fun Factory - Sandton, Riverside Shopping Centre - Nelspruit, Radisson Hotel – Mozambique

Question: How did you arrive at where you are today?
My answer is more an echo of words of a very wise Father.
Have a healthy contempt for the impossible. Face client and consultant ridicule for your new ideas with confidence, and when your adversaries eventually catch up, they realize you are just the guy, shouting out, ”the emperor really has no clothes on” What is plainly obvious to the designer is sometimes hidden from your audience, and you have to hang in there. Once public and peer pressure wears off … you find people start to look through unveiled eyes, and suddenly you are a visionary. It’s not true of course, its purely because you are looking at the problem asking the right questions. It is certainly difficult not to get swept up with popular thought. Trend and Fashion dominate this industry and being able to stay true to your own gut gives you personal edge. The real answer however , lies in being given the right opportunity, and making the most of it.
When I graduated from Wits University with my first Bachelors degree, we had to find practical employment . I returned to the office that had introduced me to Architecture, and certainly they battled to see financial gain in my presence in their office in the short term. Slightly dejected, I proposed I would go to the top of the industry and instead of asking for a job, I would volunteer not to be employed, but rather request a Mentor to oversee my personal initiatives in my year out. Two days later , I was offered a job with a higher remuneration than I expected.
I was placed on site, between overhead cranes and concrete trucks, and I was given the task of carrying drawings back a forth to site and measuring up everything in sight. It was fantastic. There was no desk for me back at the office, so I moved into the store room and built up my furniture from broken chairs and furniture pieces in the basement. Needless to say, I officially became the only staff member with my own office…… ( they only installed fresh air to my new office the next week.)
Being close to the site I worked through evenings to come up with design solutions for the practical problems I was encountering . The partners trusted me with more meaningful design tasks and before long I was debating design solutions with the project team. If it hadn’t been for Stauch Vorster Architects embracing my enthusiasm, my story may have been different.
The rest is history, but it starts with that personal drive to never stop accelerating.

Question: What is the most interesting project you have ever worked on?
I have worked on hundreds of projects in the last 15 Years, but the moments that really stand out, aren’t the size of the projects, but rather those clients who were asking real questions, and wanting real answers. We had completed the Head offices of Discovery Health, in Sandton, and the senior management had become aware of our professionalism and innovation. Realizing their need for a better child care facility we were approached to “baby sit” a small project that they had on the cards. We presented a couple of ideas, and it became our baby. We engaged with child psychology, health specialists, green building technology and really clued up educationalists and crafted a little R40 Million crèche in a garden just outside Sandton. It’s a real gem, and It is just so rewarding to see such amazing response from all those involved in the project. Oh, and of course , there are a couple of billion rand projects.

Question: What would your dream project be?
A one of a kind sustainable glass house on a hillside, with incredible views for a deserving client.

Question: What is the most pressing problem confronting the profession at this time?
My answer deliberately takes a possible spin of the question you are asking. Maybe the right question for me is “What opportunities are there in the industry at this point in time.” I would have to say that, less money in circulation, a need for responsible architectural design and innovation equals the perfect environment for any talented architect. Anyone can slap a building together. Open your eyes and look around you. Not everyone can take limited resources and turn them into memorable architecture….. if YOU can….welcome to Architecture.

Question: What music do you enjoy listening to the most?
Nature, the sound of water running through crags. Waves crashing on rocks….. awesome. Wind , I love the presence of wind . Bird song. The resonating roar of a lion, and the human voice ……….

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Greg Wright Greg Wright architects (GWA)
After moving on from a successful partnership with his previous employer and partner, Stefan Antoni Architects, Greg Wright architects (GWA) was founded in 1995 by its sole member at the time, Greg Wright.

The decision to break ties and form a new practice were formed out of a need/desire to explore a new and separate vision for the making of buildings and to discover a different way in the delivery of both as a service and product that adhered to the principals and values held important by Greg Wright. These principals underpin the ethos of the practice and include:

• The business of architecture should be inspired by the delivery of contemporary buildings founded on the values of integrity, honesty, and a commitment to offer positively to the built environment

• The belief in and commitment to ones ideas is the single most valuable currency we can invest in

• Work is driven by a desire to make buildings that reveal and revel in excellence of thought and execution – this soon became the credo of the newly formed GWA.

The practice continues to develop projects around these core values. A holistic approach is adopted for all projects and this often includes the design of interiors and bespoke one-off items for their clients. This approach has often resulted in projects being critically acclaimed and featured in various publications both locally and internationally as well as TV programmes such as Top Billing.

Question:What advice would you give to someone entering the field of architecture?
Be brave, courageous and believe in what you are doing and why you are doing this.

Question: What have the rewards been of practicing architecture?
To realize ones ideas in the built form and the tremendous privilege to share in this process with ones clients who create opportunities often undreamt of.

Question: What do you enjoy about being an architect?
Its not a job or a means simply to earn an income but a way of life that defines you as a person

Question: Who is your favourite architect and why?
No favourites – too many to mention that one admires for many differing reasons

Question: What do you do to recharge your creative batteries?
Head off with my snow board into the mountains and absorb the solitude and magnificence of the landscape offered

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Janina Ewa Masojada designworkshop : sa
A degree in Architecture from University of Natal took Janina further afield to Massachusetts Institute of Technology to complete a Masters Degree.  Her work to date includes urban design, architecture, interior and furniture design. After jointly winning  the international design competition for the design of the new Constitutional Court in Johannesburg with partner Andrew Makin and Paul Wygers of Urban Solutions, Janina’s present  architecture practice  focuses on a achieving a high level of contemporary design, relevant to the time, place and culture of the project location. The work undertaken ranges in scale and type, from the procurement and product development of art and craft, to the delivery of building projects.

designworkshop:sa has received to date seven Regional Awards of Merit, five National Awards of Merit and four Awards for Excellence, the highest accolade from the South African Institute of Architects. The team is involved in regular international travel for the purposes of research and experience of best global practice and has exhibited architectural work in international exhibitions including London, Berlin, San Paolo, and Venice.  Janina is frequently invited as guest speaker to local and international architectural conferences and is involved as an external examiner and lecturer at universities across the country. Numerous Architectural Awards grace their office, the designworkshop’s walls.  

Question: What drives design at designworkshop:sa?
The belief that design adds value to life experience
That design contributes to our social behaviour, and can have radical impact on the way people live and interact with both each other and the world around us

Question:What is the most interesting project you have ever worked on?
The new constitutional court building in jhb, won in an international competition, two of my friends and myself, we were young, hungry, and believed powerfully in the values and meaning of the constitution, its role in our countrys future and past struggles, and worked for a building that could translate and make physical, those values and meaning

Question: What do you enjoy the most about being an architect?
It encompasses so many different aspects of life, requires a range of skills, combining creative and technical problem solving, aesthetic conciousness and functionality, plus requires a high degree of interaction in a collaborative delivery of the final built work

Question:What is the most pressing problem confronting the industry at this time?
Limited energy resources and consumptive human behaviour, and the lack of affordability of the basic structures we need to support our society needs

Question:What is the best moment of your day?
two! the beginning and end........Early morning, sunrise on the ocean, waking children
And
Late in the night, big night skies, sparkling lights, and sleeping children
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Dorothy van’t Riet Dorothy van’t Riet Design & Décor Consultants
Dorothy van’t Riet’s academic and sport achievements throughout her life bear witness to her unceasing “striving for excellence”, a trend which has continued into her business career.  Dorothy van’t Riet majored in psychology, art and maths in her studies at university. Colour plays an enormously important part in her life and her understanding of it equips her to delight her clients with her boldness of expression. 

Achievements & Awards:

• The World’s Best Contemporary Interior Design Award at Royal Ascot England.
• The World’s Best Classical Interior Design Award at Royal Ascot England.
• The Anglo American Best Interior Design Award.
• The JCI Best Interior Designer Award at Dainfern.
• The Star Home Show Best Interior Designer Award at Featherbrooke.
• The Gold Award for Stand Excellence at Decorex S.A.
• An Award in Recognition of Achievement in South Africa’s Best Entrepreneurs.
• The Award for Dynamic Woman of Excellence in Recognition of Outstanding Achievements.
• Nominated for The Leading Women Entrepreneurs of the World.
• Nominated as one of the 5 finalists in the South African Businesswoman of the Year.
• Award for innovation at Decorex for Urban Chic Design in a Box.

Dorothy van’t Riet Design & Décor Consultants
Dorothy van’t Riet started her namesake Interior Design company in 1988.  As with most businesses, Dorothy started out small but with great resourcefulness has steered her company from grass roots level to a position of strength in the industry. Dorothy van’t Riet Design and Décor Consultants offer comprehensive architectural and interior design services.  The DVR motto - “style, substance, solutions” - is reflected in the wide range of projects that are completed with design flair and professionalism.  Beautiful interiors are created in prestigious hotels, high-end residences and offices in Africa and Europe. Originality, creativity, practicality and impeccable taste are hallmarks of her work. 

Question: What motivated your decision to become an interior designer?
My gift and talent is to make spaces beautiful. I have a passion for colour and design. It is part of my whole being and an extension of my purpose on this earth.

Question: How do you approach design?
My company motto is “style, substance, solutions”. I am a passionate, adventurous person striving for excellence and absolute professionalism. Design should be characterized by originality, creativity, practicality and impeccable taste. Attention to detail, providing turnkey solutions and giving the client more than they envisaged will result in a feeling of supreme satisfaction with the end result.

Question: What are you passionate about?
My husband, colour, orchids and Afghan hounds.

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Lisa Younger Activate Space
Lisa completed a Bachelor of Arts in Dramatic Art at the University of the Witwatersrand in 1994, graduating with Honors in Design and Scenography.

Since then she has worked extensively as a space designer in the disciplines of live performance, television, film and interior design.  She is also a teacher and researcher.

In January 2006 she founded Activate Space, an interior and production design company, which is a sister company to Activate Architects.

Some of the more memorable projects that she has worked on are :

• Between 2002 and 2004, she headed up the art department of the popular soapie ‘Sewende Laan’.
• She has worked extensively as resident designer for The Forgotten Angle Theatre Collaborative.
• In 2002, she designed and manufactured the costumes for ‘Sezar’, a South African adaptation of Shakespeare’s Julius Ceasar, which earned her an FNB Vitae Award for Best Costume Design.
• She has also worked with Rob van Vuuren, Helen Iskander and James Cunningham designing for the shows Electric Juju, The Famished Road, and Jutro – the latter received a Naledi Theatre Award for Best Set Design in 2007. 
• She designed the interiors for The Forum Homini Boutique Hotel, which won a Silver Loerie in 2006, in the 3 Dimensional Design Category.
• She has also worked with Hendrik Marais and Karina Strijdom, designing the interiors for their beautiful ‘Cliff House’.
• She has just completed the interior design for a landmark school - Lebone II, based in Phokeng, and commissioned by The Royal Bafokeng Nation.

Lisa draws from her theatrical training to design interior spaces that set a mood, and tell a story.  She is passionate about South African theatre, craft, fine art, and design, and uses every opportunity to commission, use, and showcase South African talent and product in her interior designs.

Question:What are you passionate about?
I am passionate about my country South Africa, and its stories, history, people, languages, and spaces. I am passionate about colour, contradiction, problem solving, chance discovery, honesty, responsibility, empathy, courage and love.

Question: Who is your favourite designer and why?
My favourite South African fine artist is Willem Boshoff. His art works are unique, and each one unlocks a fascinating story. Willem is a brilliant storyteller, and I also admire his humbleness.

Question: Which project has given you the most satisfaction?
Designing the interiors for The Lebone II College of the Royal Bafokeng, was a life changing experience for me.

Question: How would you define your creativity / style?
Practical, uncomplicated, colourful, celebratory, eclectic, helpful, and welcoming.

Question: What books do you currently have on your bedside table?
Piet Byleveld : Dossier of a Serial Sleuth, by Hanlie Retief.

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