Johannesburg, 8 February 2010 – DesignHub’s 2010 Respond/Renew/Revitalise Competition CommencesSaint…

Johannesburg, 8 February 2010 – DesignHub’s 2010 Respond/Renew/Revitalise Competition Commences
Saint-Gobain releases the new DesignHub Respond/Renew/Revitalise Competition Brief for the 2010 competition.

The Saint-Gobain DesignHub student architecture competition, demonstrates its success by entering its fourth year in 2010. The 2010 Respond/Renew/Revitalise competition is aimed at addressing the issues around reclaiming and revitalising an existing landmark site - Taking national, regional and local imperatives into account.

With cash prizes up to R90 000 and other valuable prizes up for grabs to students, mentors, lecturers and university institutions, the competition is becoming more prevalent within the architectural education industry.
Three universities have already accepted to participate in the competition and by doing so, have agreed to introduce the brief into their fourth-year students curriculum. Thus, the 2010 competition expects to be greater and more effective than those before it. Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, University of Pretoria and the University of the Free State are the settled contestants for the 2010 Saint-Gobain DesignHub Competition, whilst more are still expected to enter.

Participants of the competition are asked to investigate the profile of an existing multi-storey, multi-use building in their city’s most populated or commercially active area, such as a hotel, an apartment block or a commercial office building. They must then provide an energy-efficient plan that revitalises the building, making it useful, sustainable and energy efficient. Whilst considering the social, political, economic and energy implications of the building and the environment in which it is found, students should display a thorough understanding of the design issues at hand.

Students should challenge the buildings original design assumptions and create a sustainable architectural solution that will respond to the needs of the people living or working in its proximity. Detailing and construction should be taken into account, as well as the operational demands and recycling potential of the building through its entire lifecycle, with particular regard to SANS 204 recommendations and reducing the consumption of the site. The competition allows the liberty of the student to suggest a different use than what the building was originally constructed for.

The winning entry of the Respond/Renew/Revitalise competition should display a well-considered intellectual approach to crafting a practical solution, addressing the dynamic nature of South Africa’s cities in the 21st century, taking national, regional, historic and political factors into account. These include, but are not necessarily limited to housing, education, local governance, urban regeneration, health care and addressing crime, while considering potentially soaring energy costs and how to create a solution that will be sustainable in spite of these.

The competition having opened up a platform to assist with the rejuvenation of Johannesburg’s inner city, has suggested the Carlton complex as not only an example of a building to be rejuvenated, but also as an option for students to offer a Respond/Renew/Revitalise solution to. The complex’s hotel which has been moth-balled for 13 years offers the perfect opportunity for rejuvenation and meeting the needs of the inner city’s population.
The 2010 Respond/Renew/Revitalise Competition Prize categories include:
• The Best Use and Application of Saint-Gobain Construction Products’ Range of Building Materials (Student and Mentor) where a prize of
R20 000 and a trophy will be awarded to the winning student. The professional who mentored the winning student will win a Sony VAIO laptop and a South African Green Star Course or a course of similar value.
• The most Sustainable Design, According to SANS 204 Standards where the winning student will be awarded R10 000.
• Winning Lecturer category where the lecturer of the winning student will win an all expenses paid trip to the following Design Indaba worth R15 000.
• Winning University category will award the overall winning University with R60 000 in cash in which they will be able to use on upgrading their Architectural Department in the University. This University may not necessarily be the same as the original winning students University as it will be judged independently on the overall categories of design excellence and innovation.
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About Saint-Gobain Construction Products, South Africa

Listed on the stock markets in Paris, London, Frankfort, Zurich, Brussels and Amsterdam, Saint-Gobain has a presence in 55 countries. As an organisation, Saint-Gobain is grouped into five sectors, including Flat Glass, Packaging, Construction Products, Building Distribution and High-Performance Materials.

To continue developing as one of South Africa’s most influential companies in the construction sector, Saint-Gobain Construction Products Southern Africa has joined forces with leading industry names including Gyproc, Donn, Isover, Sagex, Weber, Saint-Gobain Pipelines and LBS. With its extensive network of distribution centres throughout the country, Saint-Gobain Construction Products, South Africa is able to bring its products closer to its customers, providing flexibility and speed in service requirements.

Along with its various other specialised departments, including the Saint-Gobain Construction Products Academy which enables students to broaden their skills, and the Technical and Specifications Division which specialises in technical advice and systems development, Saint-Gobain endeavours to remain an industry leader.

For more information, please contact Tarryn Roper at tarryn@marketingfanatics.co.za or 011 964 4000