Three groups of third-year architecture students from the University of the Free State (UFS) were amongst the 21 groups from all over the country who participated in the national Des Baker Competition.  The competition was held at the Tshwane University of Technology.  The students had to look at specific needs of buildings in rural communities and the project also had to be a catalyst for community development. 

Here is one of the groups with a scale model of projects suggested for the UFS Paradys Experimental Farm outside Bloemfontein.  The projects comprise of the building of ablution blocks for the existing houses to new single quarters and a small community centre.  In front from the left are Jonathan Marais and Charles de Jager.  At the back from the left are Ms Petria Jooste-Smit (lecturer at the UFS Department of Architecture), Prof Herman van Schalkwyk (Dean:  Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences at the UFS) and Ms  Amanda Smith (from the UFS Paradys Experimental Farm). Photo: Lacea Loader