Child-centred design recognised as Redhill Early Learning Centre wins international architecture award
Hubo Studio’s Reggio Emilia–inspired Redhill Early Learning Centre has been recognised internationally for its creative use of natural light, placing South African design on the global stage.
Image: Supplied
The Redhill Early Learning Centre has been named the Winner in the Best Use of Natural Light category at the prestigious World Architecture Festival (WAF) 2025, placing the project among the most innovative architectural works globally.
Hubo Studio, which designed and delivered the project, was shortlisted for two awards at this year’s WAF. The Early Learning Centre was developed in close collaboration with the children, teachers, and leadership at Redhill School, including Joseph Gerassi and Sue Pilkington-Williams, and sets a new benchmark for child-centred educational design.
The World Architecture Festival is the world’s largest live-judged architectural awards programme, celebrating excellence across built and unbuilt work from around the globe.
A Year of Major Recognition for Hubo Studio
This WAF award follows an extraordinary year of accolades for Hubo Studio and its founder, Asher Marcus. Earlier this year, Marcus received the National Arts and Culture Award (NACA) for Architecture, recognising his contribution to education-focused design in South Africa.
Hubo Studio’s design for the Redhill Early Learning Centre was also named Educational Build of the Year at the SCAPE Awards, while the studio received a High Commendation for Architecture Firm of the Year. Together, these achievements underscore Hubo’s position as a leader in innovative, future-forward educational architecture.
The award-winning Redhill Early Learning Centre sets a new benchmark in early childhood architecture, blending flexible learning spaces with innovative natural light solutions.
Image: Supplied
A New Model for Early Learning Environments
The Redhill Early Learning Centre is a purpose-built, Reggio Emilia–inspired environment for children aged 3–7. The design supports curiosity, play, collaboration and expressive learning, with flexible studios, atelier spaces, a central piazza and integrated outdoor learning landscapes.
Delivered in 2024, the project has become a flagship model of child-centred educational design and a showcase of how architecture can meaningfully support early childhood development.
Natural Light as Material, Function and Feeling
The award recognises the project’s innovative use of natural light during a time when South Africa faced severe load shedding. The design team explored natural light through three core lenses:
Light as functional necessity, ensuring learning continuity even without power.
Light as material, shaping atmosphere, texture and spatial experience.
Light as feeling, capturing warmth, safety, focus and joy for young learners.
Only two South African firms were shortlisted in this international event, making the win an important milestone for South African design excellence on the global stage.
South African architectural excellence shines as Hubo Studio’s Redhill Early Learning Centre wins international recognition for its innovative, light-filled learning environment.
Image: Supplied
Jury Comments
The jury for this year’s competition consisted of Jean Mah (Principle, Perkins & Will), Fred Pilbrow (Senior Founder Partner, Pilbrow & Partners), and Ambrish Arora (Founding Principle, Studio Lotus). They said of the winning project:
“Exuberant and joyful, the judges were impressed by Hubo Studio’s Early Learning Centre and its conscious modulation of light and shadow to provide students a choice of place to inhabit. We felt the architects relished their engagement with students and teachers alike."