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And the winner, by public vote, for Most Beautiful Object in South Africa 2015 is…
…”The Boomslang“
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Kirstenbosch’s suspended walkway designed by architect Mark Thomas and structural engineer Henry Fagan is the public’s choice in the Most Beautiful Object in SA at Design Indaba Expo 2015.
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“This award is such a wonderful surprise! Never before has there been an opportunity like this for an architect and an engineer in South Africa,” said Thomas about Kirstenbosch’s commission. “It has felt unreal from the beginning – I still pinch myself about this project. We worked on it for three years. We were surprised that it was possible to create such a complex 3D shape.”
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Inspired by a snake skeleton, the walkway is a curved steel and timber bridge that winds and dips its way through and over the trees. It takes the visitor on an awe-inspiring journey through nature, rising up from the forest floor into and through the trees and bursting out above the canopy, giving spectacular panoramic vistas of the surrounding mountains, Garden and Cape Flats. Thomas and Fagan designed the structure to be low maintenance and low impact.
The Design Tabloid 
I have to say that I feel a bit disappointed that none of my top three choices came in as the winner. Yes – this Boomslang is amazing architecture – but was very low on my list. I must say, I would love to know the criteria that get people voting. To me beautiful was difficulty to single out, because all were beautiful objects – really stunning stuff from immensely talented people. So, my top three that caught my eye and held my attention were: The Bodin Bull beaded art piece. ( awe inspiring work done by one who cannot read and write); The Flag Prophecy painting – that was so very cleverly picked up and done and then lastly – the re-purposed school bag – the beauty in that creation lies in the total application of the item – the beauty of taking something so innovative & function to the community. But having said that – one of the stands that I gravitate towards soon after I walk through the doors of the expo centre – is the MBOISA stand. I love it and look forward to next year again.