In a monumental achievement for South African architecture, SAOTA has emerged as the winner in the ‘Future Projects - House’ category at the World Architecture Festival (WAF) 2024. The firm’s groundbreaking ‘Meru’ project, which is still in its design phase, took home the prestigious award at this year's WAF, cementing SAOTA’s reputation as a global architectural leader.
Held at the iconic Marina Bay Sands in Singapore, the World Architecture Festival spans three days and brings together over 1,500 industry professionals from around the globe to celebrate the most innovative and forward-thinking projects in architecture and design. The ‘Future Projects - House’ category is one of the most highly anticipated awards, focusing on residential designs that push the boundaries of architecture and respond to the ever-changing demands of sustainability.
The ‘Meru’ project draws inspiration from the iconic Meru Oak tree, found only in certain parts of Kenya, and reimagines traditional kraal architecture - a form of circular enclosure used by indigenous African communities. The innovative design approach combines sustainability with aesthetics, paying homage to local heritage while looking to the future.
“Reinterpreting traditional kraal architecture, this project reimagines the traditional boma - so we focused on harvesting local materials sustainably,” says Philippe Fouché, principal at SAOTA and the lead designer for the project. The Meru home will feature locally sourced sundried bricks, coral stone, and hessian cladding, materials that tie the building to its natural environment while ensuring sustainability.
At the heart of the project’s design philosophy is an emphasis on passive cooling strategies, which ensure that the home remains comfortable and viable in its bushveld surroundings. The living spaces are organised around a series of courtyards that allow for panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, blending nature with modern living.
SAOTA: A Global Powerhouse in Architecture
SAOTA’s win at WAF 2024 is a testament to the firm’s visionary leadership and exceptional design talent. Founded by Stefan Antoni and Philip Olmesdahl, the firm has grown into an internationally renowned practice with a global footprint spanning six continents. With a team of dynamic architects including Greg Truen, Mark Bullivant, Roxanne Kaye, Logen Gordon, Dani Reimers, and Dominik George, SAOTA is known for its bold, innovative approach to architecture and its commitment to creating designs that are both sustainable and timeless.
The win at WAF marks a significant milestone for the firm, which had several projects shortlisted at this year’s awards. Among them were ‘Upper Albert’ in the Completed Buildings: Housing category, and ‘Kalahari Dunes’ for the Future Project: Leisure Led Development category, a collaboration with ARRCC. While ‘Meru’ took the top honour, the firm’s strong showing in multiple categories further solidifies its standing in the global architectural community.
The World Architecture Festival’s international panel of over 140 judges, representing 68 countries, is a diverse and distinguished group that includes some of the most respected names in the industry, such as Charu Kokate, Senior Partner/Director at Safdie Architects, and Mario Cucinella, Founder and Creative Director of Mario Cucinella Architects. Among the judges was SAOTA’s own Philip Bartman, Senior Associate and Professional Architect, who, in accordance with judging rules, did not vote on his firm’s projects.
A New Era in Architecture
As we look toward the future of architecture, projects like ‘Meru’ represent the next frontier in sustainable, adaptable, and culturally aware design. By blending traditional elements with modern innovation, SAOTA has once again proven that architecture has the power to shape not only our homes but also our relationship with the environment.
With the world increasingly focused on sustainability and adaptability in the face of climate change, ‘Meru’ serves as a model for what the future of residential architecture can - and should - look like.
