UKZN's Shuaib Bayat secures spot in 32nd Corobrik Architectural Student of the Year Awards

L-R: Juan Solis, UKZN; this year’s winner Shuaib Bayat with the model of his winning thesis; Dirk Meyer, CEO of Corobrik

At this annual competition, the country’s best architectural students from eight participating universities are identified based on their final theses and presented with awards at regional events. The winners of each of the regional competitions then qualify to compete for the national title and a prize of R70,000 at the Corobrik Architectural Student of the Year Awards, which will be held in Johannesburg in May 2019.

Multipurpose upcycling skills centre

Bayat’s thesis, entitled "Exploring solar energy design systems in peri-urban settlements for responsive architecture", proposes the design of a multipurpose upcycling skills centre in Cato Manor.

Bayat said, “I believe that having a visual stimulus in your environment is important. For example, if I’m walking down the street, I want to see an eclectic mix of buildings that I find exciting to look at rather than a row of uniform ones. Architecture fascinates me, with a desire to explore how science and technology can be used to improve the performance of buildings both socially and environmentally. Architecture has brought out the dichotomy of my personality, allowing me to engage both creatively and scientifically with the aesthetic functional aspects of design.

L-R: Professor Ernest Khalema and Juan Solis from UKZN; Shuaib Bayat with the model of his winning thesis; Dirk Meyer, CEO of Corobrik; and Lawrence Ogunsanya, academic leader, architecture, UKZN

"Growing up as a kid in the coastal city of Durban, I had the privilege to study architecture at the University of KwaZulu-Natal as it was a platform to pursue my childhood dream. Studying architecture allowed me to have a deep passion for art as I began to have the thrill to be amongst those to change the skylines that form our cities. Taking on the challenge of becoming a master in architecture enabled me to combine the strongest aspects of my personality, a fascination with functional art and design, particularly arrangements of light and space, enthusiasm for solving practical problems and also working with other people. Creativity is powerful skill, an intriguing ability evolving from our originalities and perspectives.”