SA ARCHITECT WINS INTERNATIONAL AWARD

South African architect Henri Comrie won an international award at the World Architecture Festival Awards held in Lisbon at the end of 2022, where he was the winner in the Educational Buildings Category based on his work on the Sol Plaatje University in Kimberley.

Comrie is also an urban design specialist and past British Commonwealth Scholar whose accolades and achievements include his role as lead urban designer for the Cape Town Stadium Precinct, The Towers precinct on the Cape Town Foreshore and most recently, his key role at Devonbosch. He now operates from London where he is urban design lead with global public realm specialists Gillespies, but continues to remain involved in South African projects.

When asked about the South African property industry's position on a global scale, Comrie states that good urban design requires a medium-term outlook, which is often hindered by the volatility and high interest rates prevalent in the industry. He also thinks that it is beneficial to look to old parts of cities like Stellenbosch and Paris for inspiration, because they are built around simple but often forgotten place making rules that “talk to the soul.”

https://digital.emap.com/9748/89948/index.html?43108 - Educational Buildings Category awards list