“A systematic approach in a non-invasive manner that respects the context in which it is situated” – Holcim Awards Jury

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    Project entry 2005 Africa Middle East – Caravan site upgrade, Nieuwoudtville, South Africa

    Planted roof construction.

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    (l-r): Urs Bieri, Deputy Chairman, Holcim Foundation for Sustainable Construction; Tom Clough, Member of the Executive Committee, Holcim Ltd; Andrew Horn (winning team member), architect, ECO Design, Architects & Consultants, Cape Town, South Africa; Anne Marie Moore, ECO Design; Karl Meissner-Roloff, CEO, Holcim South Africa

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    Holcim Awards ceremony for Africa Middle East – Johannesburg, South Africa

    Holcim Awards Silver 2005 Africa Middle East (l-r): Andrew Horn, architect, ECO Design, Architects & Consultants, Cape Town, South Africa and Anne Marie Moore, ECO Design.

The work is highly commended for its systematic approach to addressing the “target issues” in a non-invasive manner that respects the context in which it is situated. In order to ensure the requisite natural conservation standards necessary for such a site, the authors apply a well-considered balance between a selection of locally available materials and construction technology – with straw bale walls, timber structure and sod-roof as key elements – and new technologies that optimize renewable energy – vacuum-tube collectors for solar water heating as well as PV for low-level appliances and lighting.

Last updated: July 21, 2005 Johannesburg, South Africa

Equally significant is the use of composting toilets rather than water-based sewage, thereby providing an opportunity to recycle grey water following its preliminary treatment through a constructed wetland. The possibility to transfer these principles and technologies is highlighted by the fact that critical applications have already been proven effective in a project implemented elsewhere by the design team.

Also important is that the aesthetically subtle and refined solution sponsors broad-based stakeholder participation in the conservation of “biodiversity hotspots,” thereby fostering committed involvement from a wide sector of the community to plan their mutual future.