Rudolph Botha and Noa Solomon with their “Blooming Branches” winning design
Their entire class under the leadership of lecturer Hyacinthe Tonga participated and a few were selected to exhibit at the exhibition.
The competition for architecture students across South Africa challenged them to find ways to build faster and better while reducing carbon emissions. The participants had to prepare conceptual designs for the expansion of the University of Pretoria’s Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI).
Close to 100 teams countrywide registered, and more than 30 projects were considered. The students travelled to Future Africa in Pretoria, where the event was held and also attended the Timber Construction Conference.
Deputy Minister Nomalungelo Gina from the Department of Science and Innovation and the Finnish Ambassador, his Excellency Mr Pekka Metso attended the event.
“Our design was inspired by Pretoria’s rich natural and cultural heritage, particularly the Jacaranda tree, which symbolises growth, strength, and connection,” explains Noa.
The goal was to create a space that embodies these qualities while serving as a modern research facility.
At the heart of this project was a commitment to sustainability. The team employed Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) for its ecological advantages and reduced carbon footprint.
The building was designed to be self-sustaining, featuring a central hydroponic tower that functions as a vertical farm, supplying fresh produce for the on-site café.
Water harvesting systems further enhance resource efficiency, while an integrated composting system recycles organic waste into soil for the plants, aiming for a closed-loop sustainability model.
The challenge was extending an existing structure vertically using timber.
The design blends old concrete foundations with a lightweight timber framework, with the hydroponic tower serving as the structural core.
The branching floors echo the Jacaranda tree’s structure, creating flexible areas for research, collaboration, and public engagement.
“What stands out about our design is how we merged ecological design principles with user experience,” Noa emphasises. They wanted to make sustainability tangible, allowing users to interact with living plants in the café and enjoy the abundance of natural light in open, flowing spaces. The building is designed to feel alive and connected to nature.
By using CLT they emphasised their commitment to sustainability while integrating systems like the hydroponic tower and composting setup to ensure the building is self-sustaining. This design not only provides technical and ecological benefits but also fosters a positive, welcoming user experience.
Noa and Rudolph believe their project won for successfully balancing innovation and sustainability with a deep connection to Pretoria’s heritage. Their holistic approach combined strong architectural principles, sustainable systems, and a meaningful narrative, resulting in a design that not only meets modern needs but also resonates with the local environment.