Bold Visions, Big Ideas & Bricks: A Look Inside the 38th Corobrik Student Architecture Awards
- Corobrik
- May 26
- 3 min read
Get ready for an exhilarating ride through creativity, innovation and inspiration—because this year’s Corobrik Student Architecture Awards were anything but ordinary.
Now in its 38th year, the Corobrik Student Architecture Awards is where South Africa’s top Master of Architecture students compete with their final-year thesis projects for the title of Corobrik Student Architect of the Year. Think of it as the Oscars of architectural education—only with more bricks, bold ideas, and a real focus on building a better future. Each university with an accredited Master’s programme nominates one student to present their work to a panel of judges, spotlighting the next generation of architects and the issues they’re passionate about solving.
This prestigious platform once again gave South Africa’s brightest, up-and-coming architectural minds the space to dream big, push boundaries, and show the world what the next generation of built environment shapers are made of. Spoiler alert: they did not disappoint.
Picture this: a room buzzing with creativity, passion, and enough design flair to make a city planner weep tears of joy. That was the energy at the 2025 awards ceremony, where top Master’s students from across the country presented their final-year thesis projects to a panel of seasoned industry experts. These weren’t just pretty blueprints—these were extensively researched, socially conscious, technically savvy visions for a better, more resilient South Africa.
From reimagining forgotten towns to healing old scars left by apartheid, and from designing for biodiversity to blending architecture with traditional craft.
Taking top honours—and a R70 000 prize—was Tammy Ohlson de Fine from the University of the Witwatersrand. Her project, set in the semi-arid Karoo town of Prince Albert, wasn’t just about buildings; it was about belonging. Focused on a biodiversity research station, her design treated the land, the wind, and even the smallest creatures as co-authors in the architectural process. If buildings could hug nature, this one would.
But the magic didn’t stop there.
Two standout students received special commendations—and R10 000 each—for their exceptional work. Thapelo Douse from Nelson Mandela University moved the judges with a project that revisits South End, a once-thriving community ripped apart by apartheid-era planning. His design doesn’t just rebuild—it remembers, disrupts, and reclaims.
Then there’s Shannon Rees from the University of Pretoria, who swapped engineering equations for design sketches. Her work in Eshowe, Zululand, channels the legacy of master weavers and potters to question how modern design can be shaped by tradition, handcraft, and local wisdom. Think woven textures, cultural stories, and a space that breathes with heritage.
This year’s judging panel was stacked with architectural heavyweights and past winners who know exactly what it takes to stand out in this fiercely competitive field. Their job? Tough. Their verdict? Hopeful. The consensus was clear: these students are not just talented—they're the future.
Of course, it wouldn’t be a Corobrik event without a nod to the role materials play in shaping great design. As the leading brick manufacturer in South Africa continually investing in product innovation, Corobrik’s support for the awards is more than sponsorship—it’s a promise to nurture creativity, champion sustainability, and back the architects who will one day leave their mark on skylines, communities and history books.
So, what’s the big takeaway from the 38th Corobrik Student Awards? The next generation of architects is fearless. They’re not afraid to ask hard questions. They’re not afraid to challenge norms. And most importantly, they’re not afraid to design with heart.
Here’s to the dreamers, the doers, and the future makers. The 38th Corobrik Student Architecture Awards wasn’t just an event— it’s a glimpse into the world that could be.
You can find all the finalist projects, plus a replay of the big night, at studentawards.corobrik.co.za. Trust us—you’ll want to see what the future looks like.
