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UFS Modular Lecture Building gets national recognition

11 May 2023 | Story Samkelo Fetile | Photo iFlair Photography

The University of the Free State’s (UFS) Modular Lecture Building on its Bloemfontein Campus recently received a National Merit Award from the South African Institute of Architects (SAIA). The awards were announced at the 2021/2022 Corobrik SAIA Awards of Merit and Awards for Excellence ceremony in Johannesburg.

The multi-functional Modular Lecture Building, considered a hub for innovative learning, was designed by Roodt Architects in partnership with GXY Architects.

The adjudication panel received a total of 42 architectural projects from around the country, including infrastructure developments in the public and private sector. The SAIA Awards programme is structured over a two-year period and is conducted in two stages. In stage one regional awards for architecture are presented by the nine regional institutes affiliated to SAIA. In stage two the winning regional projects that are consequently entered into the national awards receive either a Commendation, an Award of Merit, and/or an Award for Excellence, which recognises exceptional achievement in the field of architecture.

In their citation the adjudicators noted that the Modular Lecture Building sets a benchmark for rational planning and technical efficiency and helps complete the campus urban framework through its placing and material choices.

Multi-functional spaces for students

Nico Janse van Rensburg, Senior Director at UFS University Estates, said the recognition is a testament to the UFS’s aspirations to renew, rejuvenate, regenerate, and revisit facilities and infrastructure.

“This award proves that excellence can be achieved with a reasonable set budget,” Janse van Rensburg said. “Energy efficiency and green building principles can be achieved by careful planning and teamwork.”

The Modular Lecture Building offers a variety of much-needed flexible teaching and learning spaces. “I have been using the facilities in this building for two years now, and I can say the building is much more spacious and conducive to studying,” said Hymne Spies, a third-year BSc student majoring in biochemistry and genetics. “The many plugs make it more efficient for studying, as one can plug in his or her laptop. There is also a nice computer lab for us to make use of.”

The UFS is proud that the construction of this facility forms part of a bigger endeavour – to create a cohesive campus identity that improves core business and to further extend its innovation and excellence as per its Vision 130.

Take a tour of the new Modular Lecturing Space and Assessment Centre Building:

News Archive

2015 RAG promises family fun

2015-01-30

The annual Kovsie Rag Community Service (CS) procession will take place on Saturday 31 January 2015 and this year’s theme is all about Video Games and City Icons.

The floats are judged on 31 January andwill depart at 09:00 from the UFS Bloemfontein Campus’ Furstenburg Gate (near Tempe) for the first procession of the day.

Their route will end at Twin City mall where 6 000 meals will be distributed to Heidedal and Mangaung communities.

The float winners will be announced at 17:00, just before the main procession of the day will again depart from Furstenberg Gate in Nelson Mandela Drive.The 2014 UFS Rag queen, Mr Rag and their runners-up will greet the public from the main float. Finalists for the 2015 UFS Rag queen and Mr Rag titles will also accompany the procession.

The popular family festival will take place at Chevrolet Park cricket stadium. There, young and old will be entertained by well-known artists such as K. O, Riana Nel and Matthew Mole.

Do not miss out on this wonderful family festival – come early, bring your family and picnic blanket/chairs to ensure a great spot on the grass. A variety of refreshments will be on sale.

Tickets are available from Computicket as well as at the entrance gates.
Tickets: R80 per person
R50 per child under 12

KFC Rag Procession 31 January 2015 Programme:

09:00 floats depart from the university at the Furstenburg gate
11:00 procession and floats arrive at Twin City Mall in Heidedal
11:00 – 12:00 Westline Aviation air show; distribution of food parcels and balloons released
16:00 Chevrolet Park cricket stadium gates open
18:00 procession and floats depart from the university to Chevrolet Park via Nelson Mandela drive
19:00 – 20:00  Riana Nel
20:00 – 20:45 procession and floats arrive at Chevrolet Park
20:45 – 21:45  Matthew Mole
22:00 – 23:00  K. O

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