The Westbury Transformation Development Centre recently received two awards at the 2021/2022 Corobrik South African Institute of Architecture Awards of Merit and Awards for Excellence. The centre’s design meets the community’s needs as a state-of-the-art facility implemented by the Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA) on behalf of the City of Johannesburg’s Department of Social Development.
The “high spec” facility received the SAIA Award of Merit and Award of Excellence at the awards programme seeks to recognise and promote excellence in architecture and create public awareness and debate on architectural issues.
Designed by award-winning firm Ntsika Architects, the facility serves as a space to facilitate an early childhood development centre; day care for senior citizens; sports and recreation for the youth and the broader community to encourage fitness and healthy living; vegetable gardens; and retail opportunities including a bakery and a sewing room.
The 5000m2 facility also accommodates offices, a greenhouse, a multi-purpose sports hall, a laboratory, a bakery, youth counselling services, a training and clubhouse, and an underground parking garage.
The two awards are another honour for the facility. The centre won the Architectural Design: Mixed Use Architecture at the 2019 Architecture Master Prize awards.
In 2022, it received global recognition after being shortlisted for an award at the 2022 World Architecture Festival in the Completed Buildings: Civic and Community category.
“This recognition is another example of how the JDA has adopted a community-driven, infrastructure-led approach to the planning, design, and implementation of high-quality City infrastructure,” said Mokgema Mongane, JDA’s CEO.
SOURCED FROM THE CITY’S WEBSITE.
