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I•CAT Environment Solutions
Tshwane (Pretoria), Gauteng
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| Award of Merit Citation In the history of architecture, it does not always happen that there is a profound alignment of the client's wishes and ethos with the skills and attitudes of the architect. This happened with the I•Cat offices and warehouse by Earthworld Architects. In this instance, the one defines the other. I•Cat is a business entity that has developed and which also supplies sustainable solutions to environmental challenges in, mostly, the mining industry. They wanted a building based on ecologically sustainable principles that would showcase their philosophy towards the natural environment. Thus, the design response was a building that would be sustainable on all three levels — ecological, social and economical. This building is situated in a gated industrial area, with no real topographical features that would make it memorable in any way. In fact, all the buildings in the area are mere 'sheds' designed with only the economy of means in sight. There is nothing 'wrong' with that approach. However, even 'sheds' can be designed in a thoughtful manner. What this kind of industrial environment does is condemn mankind to be nothing more than mere 'machines' in the quest for higher levels of material accumulation. I•Cat and their architects opposed this dictum. With this building, they have both demonstrated that any enterprise can be successful by being environmentally responsible and sustainable by also creating a humane working environment with human happiness and meaning in mind. They have also shown that it can actually be achieved. The building conforms to all the available sustainable principles that can be sensibly achieved. This is abundantly evident from the smallest to the biggest design consideration and detail. The total environment that has been created by the architects and their client speaks of care and responsibility, but above all also of the delight that they have purposefully created in this building. Books that reference I•CAT Environment Solutions
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