International recognition for World Cup stadium

South Africa's most famous World Cup stadium, Soccer City, in Soweto, has recently come out tops in an international architectural awards ceremony in London. Soccer City, which hosted the opening and final matches of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, has won two categories in this year's Leaf Awards recently held in London. The stadium built in the shape of a calabash won in the "Best Public Building" category and beat nine other category winners to take the overall winner's prize.

Since hosting world leaders and celebrities during the World Cup in June and July this year, the stadium has gone on to host other important soccer and rugby matches, including a Tri-Nations match between the South African and New Zealand national rugby teams. Now in its seventh year, the LEAF Awards honors the architects designing the buildings and solutions that are setting the benchmark for the international architectural community. In a statement about the awards, Leaf Awards says, "An exclusive praise must be given to our Overall Winner - Soccer City National Stadium - "The Melting Pot", Johannesburg, South Africa constructed by Boogertman & Partners.

The already world-famous project was chosen for its outstanding design and integral practical solutions. The judges and international architectural community was captivated by the excellence of the project. The architecture of Soccer City integrates the urban context of Johannesburg, its society, the historical mining industry of South Africa, and African culture as a whole." "The facade design finished in shades of brown brings human scale to a monumental building giving it instant appeal, warmth and accessibility."
"A wonderful exuberant design that seems almost uncannily to represent the continent in which it is constructed, the judges felt this would be an iconic building for Africa for years to come

Good News.