Winner of the Caesarstone Student Designer Competition, John Malange, an Interior Design student, flanked by second runner-up, Katlego Ramaloko, also an Interior Design student, and first runner-up, Frida Saxin Mansson from the BHC School of Design.
Hailing from Alexandra in Johannesburg, Malange is a design force to be reckoned with. After four attempts at the brief and sleepless nights, Van der Merwe says that she has never met a more determined student.
Having never left South Africa, Malange will be flown to the international design fair of his choice on an all expenses paid trip and be exposed to the world’s greatest design minds.
This year, the judges agreed that the competition has welcomed in the best and most dynamic design entries since its inception. The brief was compiled by Interior Architect, Michele Rhoda of ARRCC, and was conceptualised around an actual vacant site at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town. Students were encouraged to engage with an existing client, Tenebris Lab, and design their very first concept store to showcase their range of Virtual Reality software and product offering.
With a reputation of being passionate about design, original quartz surface manufacturer Caesarstone South Africa announced the top nine finalists in October, after receiving an influx of entries from design institutions and universities across the country. The final set of entries showcased at the 12th annual awards ceremony once again gave incredible insight into where the future of South African design is heading.
Malange’s entry was selected as winner due to its incredible connection to the client’s brand values and product offering, and for his dynamic execution of the brief.
This year’s second runner-up is Katlego Ramaloko, also a third-year Interior Design student from TUT, who bagged R5 000.
The award for the best presentation was also awarded to Malange, which earned him a R7 500 cash prize.
On witnessing the level of excellence amongst the finalists, Gerard Slee of Tenebris Lab announced a bonus prize of a one year licencing contract to the top 3 students of their Lux Walker system, as well as the development of the winning entry into their 3D software which will get global recognition.
It is the fourth time that TUT’s Interior Design programme triumphs in the competition.