JOHANNESBURG, May 2026 — In a moment that signals both creative excellence and global recognition, Johannesburg-based Hubo Studio has been named a finalist in three categories at the internationally acclaimed Architizer A+Awards — placing South African architecture firmly in the global spotlight.
This is more than a nomination. It’s a statement.
A Small Studio Making a Global Impact
Among thousands of entries from across the world, Hubo Studio has been shortlisted as one of only five firms globally in the Best Small Firm (6–15 employees) category — a distinction that recognises not just scale, but influence.
It’s a powerful acknowledgment that impact in architecture is not defined by size, but by vision.
Selected by an international jury of leading architects, designers, and cultural figures, the Architizer A+Awards celebrate the very best in global design — from groundbreaking buildings to emerging studios redefining the future of the built environment.
And this year, a South African voice is being heard loud and clear.
A School Designed as a “Mini City”
At the heart of this global recognition lies a project that reimagines what education spaces can be.
The Redhill Early Learning Centre — the studio’s flagship project — has earned two additional finalist positions:
- Educational Interiors Category
- Kindergarten Category
This places the project among the top five in the world in both categories.
But what makes it stand out?
The answer lies in its philosophy.
Designed around child-centred learning, the Redhill Early Learning Centre transforms the traditional school into a “mini city” — a carefully curated network of interconnected spaces that encourage exploration, independence, and collaboration.
From its central piazza to its vertical ateliers, and from its fluid indoor-outdoor integration to its dynamic spatial design, every element is crafted to support how children naturally learn, think, and grow.
This is not just architecture.
It is an environment designed for possibility.
Representing South Africa on a Global Platform
For Asher Marcus, Founder and Lead Architect of Hubo Studio, the recognition carries meaning far beyond awards.
“This recognition is incredibly meaningful for us. It reflects not only our work, but a broader belief that architecture can shape the way children learn, think and grow. To be representing South Africa on this platform is something we are deeply proud of.”
It’s a moment that reflects a broader shift — where African design is no longer emerging quietly, but competing confidently on the world stage.
The World Votes Next
While the jury has spoken, the global public now has its say.
Voting for the Popular Choice Award opens on 4 May and runs until 15 May 2026, allowing supporters worldwide to vote once per day across categories.
This phase transforms recognition into participation — inviting the world to engage with the ideas shaping tomorrow’s architecture.
Winners of the Architizer A+Awards will be officially announced in June 2026.
A Defining Moment for South African Architecture
In an industry often dominated by global powerhouses, Hubo Studio’s achievement stands as a reminder that innovation, purpose, and storytelling in design can emerge from anywhere.
And sometimes, from Johannesburg, it can reach the world.
