Nelson Mandela University Students Ruan Smith and Rudi Scholtz after winning the 2026 Saint-Gobain Architecture Student Contest in Belgrade, Serbia.
In the world of architecture, aspirations often find themselves tempered by the realities of logistics and unforeseen circumstances. Yet, for Nelson Mandela University students Ruan Smith and Rudi Scholtz, the necessity of adaptation paved the way for an extraordinary triumph. They faced visa delays, flight cancellations, and logistical nightmares before they could stand before an international jury at the 2026 Saint-Gobain Architecture Student Contest in Belgrade. But even before their arrival, there was a palpable sense of victory just in making it to Serbia.
Ultimately, their hard-won journey culminated in a stunning victory as they were named the overall winners, reeling not only from fatigue but also from exhilaration at representing South Africa against formidable global talent. Their project, which focused on rejuvenating an overlooked waterfront precinct in Belgrade, went beyond mere design; it sought to ask critical questions about how architecture can reconnect communities, revitalise forgotten spaces, and produce meaningful transformations.
