Cape Institute for Architecture (CIfA) Awards:
On Monday 2nd October 2017, Robert de Jager Architects was recognised as one of the Regional Winners of the Cape Institute for Architecture (CIfA) Regional Awards for Architecture for the project House Burnett-Prinsloo.
“If the architect version of Goldilocks were to skip along the forested banks of the Liesbeek River and came across this home, she would declare it “just right”. House Burnett Prinsloo is a compact, elegant house comprising two distinct yet connected pavilions with an enigmatic street interface allowing glimpses through to a tumbling riverfront garden. At the client’s request, all the mature trees on the site were kept. This informed the footprint of the buildings to be tight to the street and to open up to the garden, affording views while in search of sunlight.
A particular design challenge for this project was to allow for flexibility of use for different life stages and scenarios: to craft a home that is comfortable and intimate enough for one person, but which could also cater for a future family, the owner’s workplace, a tenant, or a live-in caregiver. The apparent ease with which this was resolved in a relatively small house with a modest budget attests to the skill of the architect and close collaboration with the client. This collaboration is evident throughout the home in the thoughtful resolution of storage and utility areas to leave a neutral backdrop for small moments of delight and personal expression. The particular achievement is the design of a seemingly generously spacious home which belies tight and clever planning, and appropriation of all interlocking spaces for maximum purpose.”
Cape Institute of Architects (CIFA) 2017 Citation – CIFA Award for Architecture
Held at the CIfA head office in Cape Town, the Awards evening signalled the completion of stage 1 of the Awards programme, which runs over two years, with the objective to recognise and promote excellence in architecture and to create public awareness and debate on architectural issues.
The second stage of the programme starts at the end of 2017 with the submission of entries by the regional panels of assessors for consideration of the SAIA Award of Merit and the SAIA Award for Excellence. A national panel of jurors, convened by the SAIA president, will convene after receipt of the projects by the National Office.
Robert de Jager Architects 