During the South African Property Owners Association (SAPOA) Convention held at Sun City during the week of 3rd to 5th September 2024, SVA International celebrated remarkable achievements, receiving three prestigious awards for two standout projects:
New Science Centre – Nelson Mandela University (NMU) – Gqeberha Studio
- Best Overall SAPOA Award
- Award for Innovative Excellence
Project Windsor / Stanbic – Johannesburg Studio
- International Development Winner
The highlight of the evening was SVA International’s receipt of the 2024 Best Overall SAPOA Award for the NMU Science Centre in Gqeberha. This award marks a historic first for an Eastern Cape project. Completed in late 2023, the R60 million NMU Science Centre features a new 140-seater digital planetarium installation as part of a multi-functional double-volume exhibition space. The building was conceptualised as a multi-layered pavilion allowing for maximum spatial flexibility while capturing the notion of science in academia. The building’s eastern edge along the plaza is further extended as landscape into the public realm thus creating a “living edge” allowing visitors to circulate both vertically and horizontally within a multi-levellled terrace.
The main spatial components of the building include the planetarium Dome which creates the main focal and formal element within the composition.
Further showcasing its excellence, SVA International also secured the 2024 SAPOA International Developments Award for the Stanbic IBTC Head Office in Lagos, Nigeria, and the 2024 SAPOA Other Developments Award for the New Science Centre at Nelson Mandela University.
The Stanbic IBTC Head Office is a prime example of architectural excellence, combining form and function. Its atrium and glass façades create an engaging atmosphere, while the use of eco-friendly technologies sets a new standard in sustainable design.
Project leads Tony Danev and Stephanie Janse van Vuuren, along with the SVA team, were celebrated for their innovation and excellence. Managing Director Bheki Vilakazi accepted the awards with pride, stating, “We are extremely proud to be involved in world-class projects of this calibre and will continue to establish ourselves as industry leaders. Such peer recognition reflects the collective effort behind these projects, showcasing their complexity and architectural significance.” These awards are a testament to our drive to Grow Excellence Together.
In addition to these accolades, Melinda Chidau, a Senior Architectural Technologist at SVA International, was honoured with the Runner-Up Award for Property News Journalist of the Year. Melinda commented, “Receiving this recognition is a tremendous honour. It reflects the vibrant and evolving landscape of property journalism and the incredible stories we have the privilege to share. I am grateful for the support and inspiration from my colleagues and the industry.”
Looking forward, Vilakazi emphasised the company’s commitment to sustaining high standards of design excellence across all projects. “Our dedication to innovation and quality will drive our future endeavours, regardless of scale or complexity.” This also emphasises our focus on a growing, design innovative and scalable SVA International beyond our current 80 + 1 years of existence.
Congratulations to SVA International for these outstanding achievements!