A project focused on waste pickers, a group of individuals largely unacknowledged within the circular waste economy, saw Smit look at creating a dignified place for these individuals to recycle waste within the harsh landscape of the Arlington landfill in Port Elizabeth. It incorporated waste building material and building rubble in the form of reclaimed brick and clay products, which were used in unique ways within the design process.

“Architecture and design have been my passion from a young age. However, the specific choice to study architecture came from an interest in understanding space and the impact that a physical place has on people. Architecture has the ability to mend issues that we have faced, are facing and more importantly are still going to face. It is an amazing subject that is able to speak to many other disciplines, subsequently making it a limitless conversation,” comments Blake.