Winning Design: Smoking Pods for V&A Waterfront Silo District

Introduction: V&A Waterfront initiated a design competition for smoking pods in the Silo District, inviting creativity and innovation without budget constraints. Thingking Studio entrusted me with leading the project, collaborating with team members for feedback and technical expertise. Our design emerged victorious among 50 applicants nationwide, leading to further discussions and planning with V&A Waterfront. However, the project faced setbacks due to the COVID-19 lockdown and was eventually shelved due to financial challenges post-lockdown.

Project Details:

1. Design Competition: Thingking Studio entered the smoking pod design competition at V&A Waterfront, encouraging a fresh perspective and out-of-the-box thinking.
2. Leadership Role: Taking the lead on the project, I guided the design process while consulting with team members to ensure comprehensive feedback and technical input.
3. Award-Winning Design: Our design was selected as the best among numerous submissions, showcasing our creativity and ability to meet the client's vision.
4. Project Development: We proceeded with meetings and onsite visits to refine the designs and prepare for construction, demonstrating our commitment to realizing the project's potential.
5. Impact of COVID-19: The project faced unforeseen challenges when the COVID-19 pandemic hit South Africa, disrupting progress and causing delays.
6. Financial Obstacles: Despite initial momentum, financial difficulties post-lockdown led to the project's cancellation, highlighting the economic strain experienced by V&A Waterfront and other stakeholders.

Conclusion: While the smoking pods project ultimately did not come to fruition, it stands as a testament to our team's creativity, dedication, and ability to overcome challenges. Despite setbacks, we remain proud of our award-winning design and the collaborative efforts invested in bringing it to life. As we navigate uncertain times, we look forward to future opportunities to contribute our expertise and innovative solutions to projects that enhance public spaces and enrich communities.