Architecture is the most visible and public of the arts. An important function of the South African Institute of Architects (SAIA) and all the regional Institutes is to recognise and promote excellence in architecture and to create public awareness and debate on architectural issues. The awards programme is in support of these goals, and runs in two stages over a two year period.

During the first stage, the Regional Institutes invite submissions, appoint and convene a panel of jurors to decide the regional Awards for Architecture and eligible projects to be submitted for national consideration.

The CIfA Award for Architecture is made to encourage and recognise good design or a noteworthy contribution in the field of architecture in the Region. It may be for:
* a new building or group of buildings;
* a work of technological importance;
* the conservation, restoration and / or rehabilitation (refurbishment) of existing buildings, historic precincts or areas;
* a work of social importance, other than a building, for which the member or architectural practice was appointed as the architect;
* research in the field of architecture.

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2018 has been an unprecedented year for ArchDaily’s Building of the Year Awards.

Archdaily is the world’s largest platform for architecture and are acutely aware of the responsibility to the profession, and to the advancement of architecture as a discipline. Since their mission is directly related to the architecture of the future—in inspiring and educating the global community of architects who will design the urban fabric of the future—the trust placed in us by our readers to reflect architectural trends from regions around the whole world creates challenges that we are eager to rise to. The democratically-voted, user-centered Building of the Year Awards is one of the key pillars of our response to these challenges, aiming to tear down established hierarchies and geographical barriers.

By participating in the process, the ArchDaily community decides what it means to push architecture forward. So without further ado, these are the most inspiring building, according to ArchDaily readers

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Arcaid Images´s Annual Architectural Photography Awards already has an international reputation, in spite of its four years of existence, and it is the first time that a photograph of a historical building has been awarded. This year will be remembered especially by a scene of a urban tunnel for pedestrians made of brick walls in Finsbury Park (London – United Kingdom) next to one of the canals of the Thames River. The image, by British photographer Matt Emmett (author of the Forgotten Heritage website), immortalizes with a computer-processed image one of the passages designed by East London Waterworks Company in 1868.

For three days, from November 15th to 18th, attendees at the World Architecture Festival in Berlin (Germany) were able to see the selected finalists from one of the most prolific editions in terms of variety and quality of the photographs presented. The jury was formed by high-profile professionals such as Amy Croft (curator of Sto Werkstatt), Katy Harris (Foster + communication director) or Kai-Uwe Bergmann (BIG architect).

In the final selection it is possible to contemplate images of buildings and structures that unite its architectural elements to the adjacent landscape, people or scenarios, captured by objectives that are able to stop the time at the right moment to find a timeless work of art.

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The Civic Trust Awards scheme was established in 1959 to recognise outstanding architecture, planning and design in the built environment.

As the longest standing built environment awards scheme in Europe, since 1959, more than 7000 projects have been rewarded and the scheme has continued in its objective to recognise projects that have made a positive contribution to the local communities they serve.

The Civic Trust Awards is one of the only remaining independent built environment awards schemes, not linked to any organisation, institution or publication and operates on a not-for-profit basis. We also provide an opportunity for the general public to participate in nominating and judging schemes from their local area.

The aim of the Civic Trust Awards is to encourage the very best in architecture and environmental design, to improve the built environment for us all through design, sustainability, inclusiveness and accessibility, but also to reward projects that offer a positive cultural, social, economic or environmental benefit to their local communities.

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Archilovers’ mission is to promote socialisation and let you communicate but above all to find new opportunities, multiply possibilities and expand the network.

The social platform on Archilovers is similar to that of Facebook, in terms of operation and concept: instant messaging, mail, notifications, creating groups, love and unlove, basically everything you need to interact and create networks on various levels with your professional community. However, unlike the other professional social networks, on Archilovers you can also talk about yourself through your personal attitudes, your travels, your photos, your stories and your videos.

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The South African Institute of Architects (SAIA) is a voluntary association of affiliated and regional institutes established in 1996 and incorporates the previous national Institute of South African Architects (established in 1927) and the Regional Institutes of Architects of the former Cape (founded 1899), Eastern Province (founded in 1900 as the Port Elizabeth Society of Architects), Border (founded in 1946 as the East London Chapter of the Cape Provincial Institute), KwaZulu-Natal (founded in 1901), Orange Free State (founded in 1921) and Transvaal (founded in 1909). The Pretoria Institute of Architects was established in 1993 and the following new regional institutes were established in 1996: Northern Cape, North West, Limpopo (founded as Northern Province) and Mpumalanga.

SAIA is a member of the Africa Union of Architects (AUA), the Commonwealth Association of Architects (CAA), the International Union of Architects (UIA), the International Commission on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), and the International Committee Documentation and Conservation of buildings, sites and neighbourhoods of the modern movement (DOCOMOMO).

The fundamental principles of equality and justice are implicit in the Constitution. In terms of the constitution the Institute is committed to the principle of striving to be an outstanding professional organisation, which upholds the dignity of the profession and its members. It aims to promote excellence in architecture and it seeks to contribute to the enhancement of society and the environment.

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