The University of the Free State (UFS) Department of Architecture, in collaboration with the South African Institute of Architects, presented the 35th Sophia Gray Lecture and Exhibition – an annual event celebrating the contributions of architects and architecture to society since 1989. The lecture is named after Sophia Gray, the first professionally active architect in Bloemfontein.
Prof Jonathan Noble, Head of the Department of Architecture at the UFS – who welcomed delegates to this prestigious lecture – said that the Sophia Gray lecture provides one of the most important annual events for architecture in South Africa. He believes there are only a few opportunities to celebrate excellence in what he described as a tough and challenging profession. Prof Noble said, “The Sophia Gray event brings everyone to Bloemfontein. It’s a public event with attendees travelling from across the country to be here. It provides an opportunity to honour and learn from the work of an eminent South African architect, which is highly beneficial and inspiring for our students.”
Avoid a ‘copy and paste’ mentality
This year’s event, themed ‘In the making of meaningful things’, attracted architects, students, academics, industry professionals, and the general public. The lecture was presented by André Eksteen and Braam de Villiers from Earthworld Architects, renowned for their sustainable, human-centred design.
Their approach to architecture is characterised by creativity and originality, avoiding a ‘copy and paste’ mentality.
Eksteen and De Villiers captivated the audience with insights into their architectural philosophy, shaped by early influences, their use of materials, commitment to environmental sustainability, and their innovative approach to navigating the Fourth Industrial Revolution. They also discussed their belief that architecture intersects with ecology, sociology, and technology aspects, emphasising the interconnectedness of the world and its influence on their practice.
What stood out in the presentation is how often they push the boundaries of what can be imagined and built, exemplified by their Future Africa Project at the University of Pretoria – then the largest project of their career. For this project, they designed 300 housing units using precast concrete modules, minimising construction time and challenging conventional uses of the material. Their innovation extended to the Future Africa dining hall, where they used flat-pack timber structures designed in segments, which were transported and assembled on site. This use of timber, a recurring feature in their designs, is also evident in the Centenary Building at the University of Pretoria, where the extensive use of timber throughout the building was a key sustainable strategy.
Combining high-level design processes with local resources and skills
Collaboration is central to their work, as demonstrated in the Future Africa project, which involved interdisciplinary partnerships with craftsmen, designers, contractors, and even unskilled labour. Believing in the power of architecture to uplift communities and involving local communities in the construction process, their approach combines high-level design processes with local resources and skills. Using digital manufacturing techniques, they created precise components that can be easily assembled on site, allowing semi-skilled workers to participate effectively in the construction process.
They also designed the Ko-Spaza initiative, which aims to create easily constructable small-scale buildings using a complete plywood structural system. This enables anyone to build their required building, for instance a shop, using basic tools and minimal labour.
Sustainability is a key element in their work, as seen in the Lucky Bread Factory Complex in Centurion, where they reused much of the original fabric. The I-CAT offices and warehouse in Pretoria East is another good example of a structure that aims to perform on multiple levels of sustainability.
Award-winning spaces
Their commitment to these principles has earned them more than 40 awards in both architecture and interior design, with some of their work featured in prominent publications.
The Sophia Gray Lecture was also complemented by a lecture from Adjunct Prof Jeremy Smith, Design Director of Irving Smith Architects in New Zealand, who is assisting with the Design-Based PhD in the UFS Department of Architecture. Earlier this year, he partnered with RTA Studio – an architectural firm based in Auckland, New Zealand – and won the prestigious Dubai International Best Practices Award for Sustainable Development in the category of the Most Beautiful, Innovative and Iconic Building with the entry: The Scion Innovation Hub – Te Whare Nui O Tuteata. He also delivered a public lecture at the UFS Equitas Building on Tuesday 27 August.
Another highlight of the event was the Gold Fields Tour, led by Senior Lecturer in the Department of Architecture, Kobus du Preez.