The 35th annual Sophia Gray Memorial lecture and exhibition at Oliewenhuis Art Museum hosted by the University of the Free State saw architects from all over South Africa join in admiration.

Each year the department has different laureates to lecture on their work and exhibit some of their most recognised works at the museum to discuss and celebrate the life of Sophia Gray and the world of art that lives within architecture.

“It offers opportunities for learning more in the architecture field and good networking skills. It also gives us the opportunity to actively engage with architectural professionals who we learn about and have great admiration for,” said Masters Architecture student, Michail Cloete.

Nando’s buildings designed by Earthworld Architects. Picture: Casey-Lee Anthony

This year the theme for the exhibition is: “In the Making of Meaningful Things”, with the laureate being Earthworld Architects from Pretoria.

“It was truly inspiring to see the amount and quality of work presented to us. The architecture and articulation of wood and steel in their construction was brilliant and unique.” 

Various projects were on display as well as 3D models for the students and the public to view, admire, and learn from with the opportunity to pose questions to the architects André Eksteen and Braam de Villiers both multi-award winners.

Model of a design with a unique rooftop. Picture: Casey-Lee Anthony

“The Sophia Gray event is one of the most anticipated events we as architectural students look forward to.” 

Students learn the different materials that could be used in various building structures, ways to explore their creativity deeper, and get a better understanding of when, where, and why to use certain materials.

The laureate for next year will be Wolff Architects from Cape Town, led by Ilze & Heinrich Wolff, the exhibition will take place on Wednesday (20/8), with the venue and time to be announced closer to the date on the University of the Free State’s Architectural page.

OFM News/Casey-Lee Anthony mvh