Boogertman + Partners was awarded Digitalisation Project of the Year for the Integrated Digital Delivery of Sandton Gate Phase II (Sandton Gate Central), developed by Abcon Developments, at the Big 5 South African Impact Awards, held on 10 June 2026 at Gallagher Convention Centre, Johannesburg.
The award recognises the project as a pioneering example of how digital technologies are reshaping architectural practice and project delivery in South Africa.
Sandton Gate Central was a landmark test case for Boogertman + Partners in the potential of Digitalisation to improve quality, efficiency and project outcomes on large and complex developments of this nature.
Boogertman + Partners Associate Elzanne Pieterse-Fanner, lead design and project architect for Sandton Gate Central, said, “It was an honour to accept this award alongside our BIM coordination and collaboration partners, Modena AEC & Infrastructure, whose expertise was integral to the project’s success.”
She added, “A huge thank you to Abcon Developments for their visionary leadership in championing advanced digital delivery on this complex development, and to every member of the professional team. The success of a BIM strategy of this scale depends entirely on seamless collaboration and integration across all disciplines – this award is a tribute to everyone involved.”
Industry-leading digital workflow
Rather than relying on traditional drawing-based workflows, Sandton Gate Central was delivered through a fully integrated digital environment that connected architects, developers, engineers, contractors and consultants around a single source of project information.
“It allows all disciplines to work off the same live model, helping us identify clashes early, improve accuracy, and keep the design fully coordinated as it develops,” says Pieterse-Fanner.
This prevents miscommunication, duplicated work and coordination delays. Key benefits delivered by this approach included a dramatic reduction in clashes, resolving the vast majority of clashes before they reached site.
Importantly, says Pieterse-Fanner, the technology remains a tool in the service of design excellence. “Digital delivery does not replace architecture,” she says. “It strengthens it by allowing us to test ideas earlier, coordinate more effectively and protect design intent throughout the process. The result is better collaboration, greater accuracy and ultimately a better building.”
About Sandton Gate
Sandton Gate is a contemporary mixed-use precinct overlooking Braamfontein Spruit in Johannesburg that blends commercial, retail, and residential spaces. The precinct pioneered the Green Star Sustainable Precincts (SUP) rating tool from the Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA). You can read more about the precinct here.
The recently completed Sandton Gate Central – Phase II (22,000m2) builds on the earlier phases, introducing a 12,000m₂ retail centre anchored by Woolworths, Checkers, and Dischem, flanked by two new office towers: the 6,000m₂ Tower A and the 4,000m₂ Tower B.
