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11 April 2025 | Story Martinette Brits | Photo Supplied
Italian Design Day Competition Winners
National student competition winners, UFS's Gustav Pretorius and Jeanré Erasmus, pictured with Matteo Cibic and Michele Gialdroni, Director of the Italian Cultural Institute.

Two talented Architecture students from the University of the Free State (UFS), Jeanré Erasmus and Gustav Pretorius, have achieved national acclaim by winning the prestigious Italian Design Day 2025 Competition held in Pretoria. Their innovative exhibition space, inspired by The Dancer -  a dynamic ceramic sculpture by renowned South African artist Andile Dyalvane – captivated the judging panel and emerged victorious from among 45 entries submitted by 140 students from across South Africa.

 

Passion meets purpose 

For Erasmus, now in his third year of Architecture and working part-time at Soleil Architects, the path to this milestone began at an early age. “Ever since I was little, I’ve been obsessed with building things,” he recalls. His fascination with design and problem-solving naturally evolved into a passion for architecture, and he credits the UFS for providing a nurturing environment where both his technical skills and creative thinking could flourish. 

He credits his lecturers and peers for constantly challenging his ideas and pushing him towards excellence. He highlights the impact of former lecturer Martie Bitzer in shaping his journey. “We have an amazing, talented, and kind lecturer in Martie Bitzer, who has a big heart for architecture and her students,” he says. 

Pretorius, a fourth-year student, shares a similar drive. His design philosophy is deeply rooted in human experience and storytelling – an approach that played a key role in their winning design. “For me, architecture is not only about the physical form –  it is about how people interact with and move through space,” he explains. He believes their studies at UFS prepared them well to take on real-world challenges, equipping them with both conceptual depth and technical precision. 

 

Designing the story 

The Italian Design Day 2025 Competition, held on 24 February 2025 in Pretoria, tasked students with designing an exhibition space that captured the whimsical and narrative-rich aesthetic of renowned Italian designer Matteo Cibic. Instead of simply showcasing objects, the brief called for storytelling through design. 

Erasmus and Pretorius rose to the challenge by creating a space that echoed the movement and transformation embodied in Dyalvane’s The Dancer. “We didn’t want to use the static display cases,” explained Erasmus. “We designed the space that guided visitors through an interactive journey, rooted in the idea of shaping and refining - mirroring the movement and storytelling embedded in Dyalvane’s clay sculpture.”

Their concept impressed a panel of esteemed judges that included architects, Fanele Zondi and Braam de Villiers, and Stefania Iuliano, Commercial Attaché at the Italian Embassy in Pretoria. The panel’s combined expertise ensured a thorough evaluation of creativity, innovation, and spatial storytelling.

 

Overcoming creative challenges 

Developing a design that balanced imaginative expression with practical execution was no easy task.  “Picture two architecture students staring at a blank page late at night, questioning their life choices,” Erasmus jokes. One of the greatest challenges was translating a deeply emotional concept into a physical space - but through teamwork and continuous refinement, they achieved a balance between form and function.

“Like any great duo – Batman and Robin, peanut butter and jelly, architecture and last-minute deadlines – we balanced each other out,” Erasmus adds. Pretorius agrees, noting that their shared technical mindset kept the design process grounded in feasibility while still allowing room for creativity. Their ability to combine conceptual innovation with structural logic ultimately set their entry apart.

 

A milestone moment

When Erasmus received the call announcing their win, the moment was surreal. “It was a mix of shock and excitement, with a little bit of ‘Wait, is this a prank?’” he says. Although initially sworn to secrecy, the pair struggled to contain their excitement. “We didn’t exactly stick to that rule,” Erasmus admits with a laugh. 

Beyond the accolade, this experience has been transformative. “This experience has been like a masterclass in storytelling through space,” says Pretorius. “It reminded us that architecture is not just about buildings – it is about making people feel something.”

Looking ahead, both students are eager to continue exploring the narrative potential of architecture. Erasmus is particularly interested in how design intersects with various forms of artistic expression, while Pretorius plans to focus on sustainable and experiential design. They agree that the competition has reinforced their belief in architecture as a powerful tool for storytelling and human connection.

 

The winning exhibition space:

News Archive

"Studies indicate disability, poverty and inaccessibility to healthcare are intricately linked " - expert opinion by Dr Magteld Smith
2014-12-03

Dr Magteld Smith

Programmes worldwide attempt to improve the lives of people with disabilities, but recent studies indicated that disability and poverty, as well as disability and the inaccessibility of health care, continues to go hand in hand.

In South Africa, and even in developed countries, research shows that people with disabilities achieve lower levels of education with higher unemployment rates, live in extreme poverty and have low living standards.

“To have a disability can therefore become a huge financial burden on either the disabled person, the family or caregivers,” says Dr Magteld Smith from the Department of Otorhinolaryngology.

She devotes her research to the medical-social model of the global organisation, the International Classification of Functioning, Disabilities and Health, focusing on all areas of deafness.

Furthermore, Dr Smith says it is more difficult or more expensive for people with disabilities to obtain insurance, because of the risks associated with disability.

Dr Smith also emphasises the inaccessibility and even unavailability of medical services or health care for people with disabilities.

“Services such as psychiatry or social services are often not accessible. When such services are available, it is not affordable for most people with disabilities.”

Dr Smith uses the example of a person who was born deaf:

“Doctors have limited knowledge of the different types of hearing impairments or how to read and interpret an audiogram. Very little understanding also exists for the impact of deafness on the person’s daily life.”

Dr Smith, who is deaf herself, describes the emotional state of mind of people with disabilities as a daily process of adjustment and self-evaluation.

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