SAIA Biennial Convention 2008 - Wits University 12 – 15 November

The South African Institute of Architects presents the Biennial Convention and Merit Awards of Excellence 2008.

Don’t miss the premier event on the architectural calendar – which comprises an awards banquet; conferencing, workshops, trade show, design and art exhibitions, architectural and heritage tours and evening and weekend themed activities - organised by the Gauteng Institute for Architecture and hosted by the Wits School of Architecture and Planning.

The conference

The built environment is a reflection of society, and through intelligent urban planning and innovative design, the built environment can be used as a tool to advance society.

Sustainability is not negotiable, and in South Africa we have to highlight the social elements. As such creating a sustainable, inclusionary and humane built environment is the focus of the SAIA Convention 2008. Join architects, property owners, policy makers and other built environment industry stakeholders as they grapple with the challenges and opportunities that this endeavour might present.

Leading architects and other built environment experts from South Africa and abroad will deliver a series of lectures and presentations across the themes (speaker list and topics to be published shortly). The speaker panel will also lead a series of workshops and discussion forums geared to fleshing out a deeper understanding of the issues, and also initiating programmes to implement recommendations and undertakings by stake holders present.

The conference is validated by SAIA for CPD Category one.

Trade Show

The conference will include a trade exhibition and architectural exhibits from international cities and learned institutions, as well as award winning buildings exhibits and other design and/or art exhibitions.

Exhibitions and other activities

The event will also be accompanied by a range of related day and night time activities, for example a range of architecture, urban design/human settlement tours being organised throughout the province by Gauteng Tourism and night time activities include preferred restaurants and entertainment venues co-operating to create a seamless 4-5 day delegate experience.