Well over 300 registered entries for the inaugural Africa Architecture Awards, according to reports, “have been received ahead of the competition’s original closing date. From the list of participants, as reported in a press release published by APO, “Entrants hail from across the continent and many are still completing the entry process.”
The rate of submission and application is really alarming for a maiden edition for any award. According to the release as published, “New registrations are being received daily.” Thus, “The organizers have… extended the deadline for entries from 30 June 2017 to 14 July 2017.”
This is to present “an opportunity for those who haven’t yet registered for the competition, …as new entries will still be permitted. It is stated that “There are two steps to enter: the first is to register, while the second is to submit documents, images and a film of the entered project.”
Evans Lockhart-Barker, a representative of Saint-Gobain expresses excitement as to the turn out of Architects for the competition. He acknowledged that as organizers, they are pleased seeing such a massive participation.
“As the founders of the Africa Architecture Awards, we are naturally pleased to see that the first-ever iteration has been so well received by architects.” He added that “… we would like to encourage as many entries as possible because we are aware of the vast number of significant projects from across Africa and how much they deserve to be highlighted. This extends from built projects to speculative works, to student projects and critical discourse.”
In additon to details, Lockhart-Barker highlighted that “The intention of the awards is to create a broader awareness of the issues and opportunities inherent in the built environment in Africa through dialogue, analysis and critique. The awards will celebrate design excellence and promote an increased awareness of the role and importance of sound architectural theory and practice across Africa and the diaspora. The intention is to honor established architects and encourage emerging and future voices.”
