Angel’s Care scoops coveted award

Good design can make a world of difference to the health and wellbeing of people — and that’s exactly what has been achieved at Angels’ Care in Howick. The bright, beautiful buildings in Morling Street have become a beacon of hope for the children at the school and their parents, most of whom live in the Shiyabazali informal settlement. To underline its world class status, the project has won a global International Union of Architects (UIA) 2030 Award.

This prestigious award recognises architectural achievements that advance the United Nation’s 2030 agenda for sustainable development and the new urban agenda, which honours projects that make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. The Angels’ Care Early Childhood Development Centre, designed by Durban-based FGG Architects and Nerø Holt from Australia won the category for good health and wellbeing. One hundred projects, from 33 countries, were submitted for the five UIA regions: Western Europe, Central and Eastern Europe and the Middle East, the Americas, Asia and Oceania, and Africa.

Finalists from these regions then submitted three-minute videos showcasing their projects, before six category winners were chosen. “We were excited that we got through to the finals, but we never really expected to win,” said Carolyn Hancock, founder of Angels’ Care, which provides services through its early childhood development centre, crisis centre, primary school and after care community centre. Congratulating Angels’ Care on the award, uMngeni ward five councillor, Hazel Lake, said: “Howick is incredibly fortunate to have Angels’ Care’s internationally award-winning ECD centre in our town. Every aspect of the design is state-of-the-art, creating a learning environment that is sustainable while supporting the health and wellbeing of the children.