Leading clay brick manufacturers, Corobrik, were presented with a special award at the WeDesign 2016 conference organised by the South Arican Institute of Architects KwaZulu-Natal (SAIA KZN) at the Durban City Hall on 8 July. 

The award recognised Corobrik’s sole and continuous sponsorship of the SAIA KZN Journal since it was first published 40 years ago. 

The SAIA KZN Journal, which is produced three times a year, has been at the heart of KwaZulu-Natal architecture for four decades with some 135 issues being published. It is admired by practitioners worldwide for its high standard of journalistic and graphic presentation of the work, thinking and development of local architects.  It also explores global issues such as sustainability and green architecture and provides an historical mirror of what is at the cutting edge of architecture in the province. 

Ruben Reddy, President of SAIA KZNIA, said that 1976, the year that Corobrik began sponsorship of the journal, marked the start of the rapport between industry and the architectural profession.      

“In an age in which sustainability is the criteria, the brick remains one of the most versatile and functional inventions in the history of Architecture. It is standardised, each brick can be lifted by one hand, and no machinery is required,” he said. 

“In the words of Mies van der Rohe, one of the most important architects of the 20^th century, ‘Architecture starts when you carefully put two bricks together. There it begins.’ If the bricks are ‘put together’ with mortar, great structural stability is attainable, as is flexibility, thermal mass and durability.” 

“This is akin to the relationship between Corobrik and SAIA KZN. It began when brick-maker and profession carefully ‘put two bricks together’ to explore a rapport by way of  a quality publication towards promoting the objectives of both parties, and demonstrates what can be achieved through an association such as this.” 

“To commemorate the occasion of the 40^th anniversary of our journal, the membership of KZNIA acknowledges and honours Corobrik for its generous, sole and continuous sponsorship, in providing the profession with the opportunity for reflection and the Institute for promoting a public understanding of the built environment,” Reddy concluded.  

The award was presented to Peter du Trevou, Chairman and Dirk Meyer, Managing Director of Corobrik who said that it was an honour and a pleasure to have enjoyed a close association with the architectural industry in the province and nationally for so many years. 

“It is also heart-warming to be able to celebrate this 40^th anniversary of the prestigious SAIA KZN Journal with members of the profession and Minister Pravin Gordhan at this auspicious architectural event,” he said. 

“Corobrik has a long history of supporting the field of architecture in this country, through our involvement with the biennial Architectural Awards, the Architectural Student of the Year Awards and other initiatives,” du Trevou said. “This has been a mutually beneficially relationship which we hope will continue for many years to come.” 

Corobrik has been the leading manufacturer of quality clay face bricks in South Africa for the past 113 years. 

The SAIA KZN Journal is distributed to all architects in KZN and all architectural practices in other provinces, as well as libraries at universities and schools countrywide and abroad. It has been edited by Professor Walter Peters since 1982.  Since 2015 graphic design has been prepared by Garth Walker of Mister Walker. 

Corobrik were presented with a special award at the WeDesign 2016 conference organised by the South African Institute of Architects KwaZulu-Natal Institute region at the Durban City Hall on 8 July.  The award recognised Corobrik’s sole and continuous sponsorship of the KZNIA Journal since it was first published 40 years ago.

ENDS

Prepared and distributed on behalf of Corobrik (Pty) Ltd

For more information, contact:

Corobrik â€" Peter du Trevou or Dirk Meyer on 031 560 3111

Distributed by Shirley Williams, contact Shirley on 083 303 1663 or shirley@fcbdurban.co.za