July 21, 17:25

Johannesburg School Receives International Awards for Child-Centric Design

The Redhill campus in Johannesburg has gained widespread international recognition thanks to its Early Learning Centre, which was noted for transforming architecture into an active part of the educational process.

International Recognition of the Project

The educational project from South Africa received two global architectural awards after rethinking how learning spaces can support the education, research, and development of young children. The Redhill Early Learning Centre was recognized by the Jury as the winner in the 'Best Kindergarten' category and won the popular vote in the 'Educational Interior' category at the prestigious Architizer A+Awards, placing the South African educational project among the leading early learning centers worldwide.

This award-winning Redhill Early Learning Centre sets a new benchmark in preschool architecture, combining flexible learning zones with innovative solutions for natural lighting. The recognition followed earlier approval of the architectural practice Hubo Studio from Johannesburg, which was nominated in three categories of the Architizer A+Awards, including 'Best Small Firm' (6–15 employees). Redhill Early Learning Centre by this studio had previously also been featured in the finalists list for the 'Educational Interior' and 'Kindergarten' categories.

The Architizer A+Awards recognize excellence in architecture and design, where winners are determined by international juries and public voting. For Redhill, this award-winning project began with a simple question: what if the building itself could become part of the child's learning experience? Joseph Gerassi, Executive Director of Redhill, noted: 'We weren't trying to design a building that would win an award. We were trying to create a place where children would wake up wanting to learn. Everything else flowed from that.'

Gerassi and Early Learning Centre Executive Director Sue Pilkington-Williams questioned traditional notions of early learning spaces by asking: 'How do young children learn best, and what environment will help them flourish?' This question became the brief for the architectural practice Hubo Studio in Johannesburg, led by Asher Marcus, whose vision transformed educational philosophy into a physical environment. The center was designed based on child-centered learning principles, featuring flexible zones, interconnected spaces, and a central plaza that encourages children to move, discover, create, and collaborate.

Students, teachers, and architects were involved in the project, and the Redhill Early Learning Centre is now recognized with two global awards for innovative educational design. The project was not only designed for children but also included them in the process. Throughout the design phase, teachers worked with Hubo Studio to ensure the spaces reflected the realities of early childhood education, while students offered ideas, tested concepts, and helped shape the environment they would ultimately use. The popular vote award highlighted the role of the wider Redhill community, as parents, staff, students, alumni, and supporters voted for the project. The school stated that this recognition reflects the growing global dialogue on how learning environments can better support well-being, creativity, curiosity, and future-ready learning. The Redhill Early Learning Centre was conceived from the idea that schools should adapt to the children, rather than requiring children to conform to traditional spaces. For Redhill, the question was simple: what if the school was designed around the children? These two global awards acknowledge the answer to that question.

iol.co.zaJuly 17, 10:27

University of Johannesburg Receives Two Awards at South Africa's 'Science Oscars'

The University of Johannesburg (UJ) has been recognized as one of South Africa's leading universities at the NSTF-South32 awards ceremony for 2025/26. The university secured two national awards at the prestigious event dedicated to science in the country.

Recognition of Scientific Achievements

These awards are presented annually and acknowledge outstanding achievements in the fields of science, engineering, technology, and innovation that contribute to expanding knowledge and national development. Among six finalists, UJ had two projects recognized as national winners across five different categories.

UJ Award Recipients

The award recipients include Dr. Edith Fallen, who received the TW Kambule-NSTF Emerging Researcher Award, and the JENano Research Group, led by Professor Tien-Chien Jen, which won the Innovation: Corporate Organization award.

UJ Vice-Chancellor and Professor Letlhokwa Mpedi emphasized that this recognition reflects the university's commitment to research that offers practical solutions to real-world problems. He noted that UJ researchers are not merely seeking knowledge for its own sake but are developing solutions that improve public health, strengthen food security, advance clean energy technologies, and accelerate scientific discoveries.

Award Details

Dr. Fallen, who works as a manager at the Pan-African Epidemic Research Centre (PACER) in the UJ Faculty of Health Sciences, received the TW Kambule-NSTF Emerging Researcher Award for her contribution to creating public health data for better understanding local epidemics and increasing preparedness for future pandemics. Her work has aided disease surveillance, public health policy formulation, and the development of intervention measures to improve population health.

The JENano Research Group, led by Professor Tien-Chien Jen, Director of the UJ Thin Film Deposition Centre and holder of the DSTI-NRF SARChI Chair in Green Hydrogen, received the Innovation: Corporate Organization award. This award was given for the group's work in green hydrogen technologies, nanotechnology, and advanced materials, supporting South Africa's transition to a cleaner energy future and enhancing engineering research capabilities through postgraduate training.

Other Contestants

Other UJ finalists included Professor Samuel Oluwatobi Oluwafemi, recognized for his research on advanced nanobio-conjugate materials for cancer treatment; Dr. Malatse Kganyago, whose work involves using satellite technology, remote sensing, and artificial intelligence to support food security and climate change resilience; and Lecturer Krishna Govender, who was nominated in the Software Research Award category for developing software that improves access to high-performance computing infrastructure.

The university concluded that these successes demonstrate the strengths of its research in public health, oncology, food security, advanced computing, green hydrogen, and engineering innovation. The NSTF-South32 awards, established in 1998, are considered the 'Science Oscars' of South Africa, honoring individuals, teams, and organizations whose work contributes to scientific progress, innovation, and national development.

Johannesburg School Receives International Awards for Child-Centric Design

International Recognition of the Project

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University of Johannesburg Receives Two Awards at South Africa's 'Science Oscars'

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