At the outset, Laurie Wale founded the Architect and Builder Magazine, an architectural journal. Suppliers of building products would visit him and leave samples of their product with Laurie to show to architects. These would lie around on shelves collecting dust.  As a result, he decided to create a permanent exhibition space where architects could view these products. Initially known as the “Advertising Centre”, The Building Centre has since expanded its scope, now serving as an informative venue for architects, builders, developers and the general public.

Currently owned and operated by Jamie Heathcote-Marks and his business partner, Laurie Wale’s daughter, Cheryl Neave, the centre features over 100 South African companies operating in the commercial and residential construction industries. Previously frequented primarily by industry insiders, the centre’s new position at the Northgate Estate in Ysterplaat, Cape Town, has made it accessible to a significantly broader clientele. All visitors to The Building Centre have the opportunity to familiarise themselves with a wide variety of products, and are afforded complimentary access to an extensive product database, drawing on 60 years of refined research.

The Building Centre is also home to Eco Exhibit, a separate initiative founded by Cheryl’s daughter Rayne Neave, which gives developers and builders an opportunity to view and assess the various “green” products and services available on the market.

Additionally, information is freely available from the centre’s well-trained staff onsite or telephonically.

The Building Centre is open from 9am – 4pm during the week, and from 10am – 3pm on weekends. Entrance is free of charge.

“Naturally, the pie has become smaller from a business point of view,” says Trevor Shapiro, Managing Director of dhk thinkspace. “This has meant that many [interior architecture] practices have been forced to retrench staff which has led to smaller, and even one-person studios springing up that can offer services for lower fees by having lower overheads. Of course clients have smaller budgets, but we see that as a positive challenge.”

Another major challenge resulting from the recession has been to provide green solutions to clients with ever- shrinking budgets. “However, lower budgets and stiffer competition has also forced the cream to the top in our industry,” he says.

Part of the larger dhk Group, dhk thinkspace has built a reputation for quality design and reliability. It is this commitment to quality that Shapiro credits for the success of the firm in trying times. “By maintaining high standards in design, as well as project management, dhk thinkspace has maintained and grown its relationships with many existing clients. In difficult times many corporate companies are more risk-averse than ever and understand that paying fees to a reliable and talented team, with depth, is a way of ensuring a risk-free world class outcome,” he says.

Where other firms have seen shrinking client bases, dhk thinkspace has significantly grown its national and international presence in the past two years. “Our Johannesburg studio is now well established and is consistently winning new business, as we have done for many years in Cape Town,” Shapiro says. Major projects include the 11000m2 Cell C contact centre in Parktown and the Plantation Club Kempinski resort in the Seychelles. “We have also shown that we are able to successfully and seamlessly work with major architectural firms, including dhk architects,” he notes.

Thinkspace’s quality designs have not gone unnoticed, with Western Cape Premier and Democratic Alliance leader Helen Zille complimenting the firm on a job well done at the opening of the Everything Everywhere call centre in Woodstock in June this year. According to the Premier’s office, the call centre’s establishment is the result of a partnership between the UK’s largest mobile network operator, Everything Everywhere, and Merchants, a subsidiary of Dimension Data, and represents a significant investment in the business process outsourcing (BPO) sector in the Western Cape.

Shapiro is confident that dhk thinkspace will continue on this path successfully. “The BPO sector, including contact centres, as well as the corporate sector, will continue to be among the areas of our expertise and focus going forward.” he says.

“Our recent completion of top end hospitality and leisure work, including the Planet Restaurant at the Mount Nelson Hotel and the Kempinski , means that further doors will open for us in that market too,” Shapiro says. “We aim to strengthen our relationships with our existing client base even more, which will enable us to provide additional services to our clients, such as being involved very early in the decision-making process and also to provide pro-active input throughout the life of our installations, rather than just handing over and moving on.”Visit

Visit: www.dhkthinkspace.co.za

About Thinkspace

dhk thinkspace, founded in 1992, has come from a solid background of project management and commercial interior architecture. The aim is to produce credible design solutions coupled with a highly effective project management and cost control system. This total solution service initially filled a gap in the industry with constant leading edge design solutions. It is for these reasons that dhk thinkspace has gained the reputation in the industry for producing quality work and highly efficient project management.

About the Everything Everywhere project

The brief was to design a contact centre for a Merchants client – Everything Everywhere – that was adaptable in the likely event of a re-branding exercise. Emphasis was placed on interaction spaces, recreation and play areas as part of staff motivation alongside displays of acknowledgement of staff achievements.

The foundation of the design approach rested on staff appreciation and functionality with a visual link to the UK. The conceptual design was based on an independent colour scheme rather than the current brand manual. The

rainbow served as a colour guideline to dress columns and workstation clusters, while core values have been expressed in meeting and training rooms. Spaces flow seamlessly into one another and each area offers something unique as part of an overall design.

The UK feel was accentuated with the incorporation of Banksy (famous British street graffiti artist) inspired graffiti which was used as a medium to dress walls and to interlink spaces and branding. The space is fun, refreshing and practical, allowing staff to feel comfortable and energised while dealing with UK clientele.

About the Planet Restaurant

dhk thinkspace was tasked with re-vamping the existing Cape Colony Restaurant, with the aim of creating a fine dining experience that would be a sought-after destination for all. The Planet Restaurant is an addition to the very popular Planet Bar in its core design approach.

The approach retained the elegant classical architectural envelope that was in existence in the old Cape Colony, but gave it a fresh new look with a subtle palette of warm white hues. This forms a quiet backdrop that allows for the drama of the rest of the interior to unfold. Inspiration was drawn from the dynamic colours and patterns of far-off galaxies. The distinctiveness of this space is further enforced by bespoke lighting and furniture pieces that offer high comfort, elegance and add a sense of luxury.

It has been only six years since Musa completed his studies, but he already has an impressive portfolio of projects to his name, punctuated with unique experiences and an inspirational partnership that demonstrates the possibilities of good intentions, quality mentorship and commercial motivations.

Musa Xinwa’s vision for a better South Africa found kinship with Bas Reinders the Managing Director of Reinbouwgroep, Holland, who after touring South Africa for the first time in 2006 with his daughter was both impressed and depressed by what he saw. His first impressions of South Africa were summed up when he said, “on the one hand a country with everything you could wish for… on the other hand the huge mass of poor jobless people without a steady income, hardly educated and living in degrading conditions”.

This experience was the fertile soil upon which an inspirational joint venture came about.

After approaching the Dutch business development organisation PUM in 2008, Musa Xinwa was invited to the Netherlands for a traineeship. A meeting with Reinbouwgroep followed, both parties realised that they had common goals and the Development & Construction company Exar was created, of which Musa Xinwa is Managing Director and Bas Reinders, a Director.

Another director of Exar is Peter Reinders of PJ Consultants, Holland whose frequent visits to South Africa and his international expert consulting and project management experience ensure that Musa Xinwa and the Exar management team is strengthened and optimised to successfully deliver on their first project, Blueberry Lane in Burgundy Estate, Cape Town.

Although Reinbouwgroep has an impressive portfolio of projects spanning over five decades in Europe and Musa’s career already includes numerous projects ranging from R20 million to R100 million, Blueberry Lane is Exar’s first. Valued at R21million and situated within the Burgundy Estate in the Durbanville Hills which abuts the vineyards of the Durbanville wine area and the historic De Grendel wine estate and consisting of 24 apartments from R699 000 with garage and 23 townhouses from R880 000 with garage, it is a first to be extremely proud of.

On first impressions and on closer inspection, Blueberry Lane warmly welcomes its homeowners and potential buyers to generous homes with quality finishes in a space of natural beauty under the vista of Table Mountain. “My greatest reward is when I hear great feedback from our home owners. This is affirmation for the choices I made and the reasons for which I made them,” says Musa Xinwa. The construction of the townhouses is complete with many already sold and occupied. Construction of the apartments is currently underway and due for completion in March 2013.

For further information on Blueberry Lane visit www.blueberrylane.co.za

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Each month, Leading Architecture puts the spotlight on an industry leader. This month we speak to Fanuel Motsepe of Motsepe Architects

Q Tell us about your background

I’m a South African born Motswana from Mmakau Village north-west of the City of Tshwane. Born in 1967 I went to boarding school at a Coloured Catholic School in Aliwal North in 1976 before going to Woodmead Boarding School in 1983 where I matriculated. Having only been to a uniformed school from Sub A to Std 1, I believe I tend to be a free-spirited yet Catholic indoctrinated person disciplined by the influences of a father who was a headmaster, later businessman, and a mother who was a nurse, later businesswoman.

I also recognise in me characteristics of my siblings who are all role models to me, each for very different reasons but broad enough to capacitate me to engage with South Africa’s complex socio-economic-politicalculture.

Though my passion as a youngster was to dance, this was torpedoed by my adult passion of a built environment practitioner; specialised as an architect and urban designer. I am fortunate to be working at Motsepe Architects (M. Arch) and Motsepe Architects Research Unit (MARU) with a team of colleagues who supplement all my weaknesses both as a built environment practitioner and a businessperson.

Though my core business is to indulge in human settlements practices and theories, I’ve diversified into the areas of property developer and hospitality industries, partly due to parental influence and partly due to personal interest. The and hospitality industries in the form of a B&B, a restaurant and an event venue, whilst the area of property developer is by way of my being an owner of a nine storey building in the inner city which I consider the seed of a property portfolio steadily growing. Added to these, I’ve inherited, in partnership with my siblings, my parents businesses in our home village of Mmakau.

Last but not least, in keeping with Tswana customary practice, I‘ve inherited my father’s cattle, making me a non-commercial cattle farmer, continuing my father and forefathers tradition of customary cattle farming practices.

Q Where did you study and what qualifications did you receive?

My first degree is a Bachelor in Architectural Studies (BAS) which I acquired at Wits University and my second degree, the Bachelor of Architecture, I qualified for at University of Cape Town (UCT) whilst my Masters in Human Settlements I slogged for in Belgium.

Q How did you get involved in architecture?

My parents recall their observation of my architectural interest from when I presented them, as a four-year-old, with an unsolicited and non-school related sketch of the pre-primary school I attended. I recall from around the same period my fixation with a Methodist Church’s bell tower and its octagonal floor plan where on my daily walk to and from pre-primary, I’d make sure to stop by this unique building, which is surrounded by a sea of Soweto-style houses, staring at it for hours intrigued by its contrast in comparison to the monotonous design of the houses above which it towered.

That I eventually studied architecture is thanks to my eldest sister who upon her return from her studies for a specialisation Masters in medicine at Harvard University in Boston, advised me that what my family had observed as my interest in built environment design, could in fact be a career in architecture, a word which I had never heard before until that blessed day. Blessed because until then my parents who too had not come across this tongue-tying name of a profession, where pressuring me to do either Business Economics, Law or Medicine.

Q What about South African architecture inspires you?

South Africa’s fountain of untapped indigenous and contemporary knowledge and practice systems of the Historically Disadvantaged Individuals (HDI) given that the abundance of the Historically Advantaged Individuals (HAI’s) has throughout the years not only enjoyed the ideologically biased privilege of defining the built environment, but has played a significant, albeit warped role, in the development of South Africa.

Through substantial research the local untapped opportunities are a doorway to discovering affordable, ingenious and simpler solutions towards a sustainable, humane and inclusionary built environment within a complex and materialist globalist culture.

The challenges presented by our current built environment, as inherited from the pre-1994 era, which have resulted in an environment that biasedly uplifts certain communities whilst denigrating others, stimulates and triggers the mind to be continuously adventurous and explorational in search of unique approaches that may reboot the peaked and saturated Euro-merican built environment canon.

Q Do you think South African architects provide their clients with a good service?

Yes and no. Whilst the profession has by and large ensured the sustenance of the well-to-do members of our society, architects in South Africa have largely done themselves a disfavour by being classist, which has seen to the marginalisation of architects by government at the detriment of engaging the developmental and progressive expertise, as well as skills inherent in architecture.

Moreover, until pre-1994, architects cosied up to an ideological programme that cemented and re-inforced inequitibility and segregation, which today is costing rich and poor alike with the burdens of reconstruction and reconciliation.

Q What has been your favourite project to date?

At the risk of sounding non-committal, every project I’ve engaged in has been a source of inspiration and growth. The more a project requires research the more invigorating I find it. It is easier to respond to this question by distinguishing the range of projects by their level of prominence and or public exposure.

Whilst the O.R. Tambo Memorial and the Robben Island Museum projects are without a doubt the most high profiled projects I’ve designed, the Gauteng Provincial Government Precinct Project has been the most publicly debated due to my proposal that five heritage buildings be demolished and their significance celebrated by way of mitigating designs that entailed reusing facades and features deemed to be most appropriate to retain the memory of the buildings. The purpose for proposing the demolition of these buildings together with another five buildings which are not protected by the Heritage Act, was in response to the need to address Johannesburg’s inefficient open public space.

Q What existing project do you wish you could have been involved in?

The Mapungubwe Museum and Narrative Centre for which Peter Rich was awarded the 2009 Best Architecture in the World award, as well as the renewed Oppenheimer Park in Johannesburg city centre.

Q What are you currently working on?

The Johannesburg Property Company, an agent of the city, appointed our practice to undertake the salvaging of the Rissik Street Post Office. We’ve codenamed the project ‘Alafang’ which is a Sotho word for ‘healing’. I thank the heavens for the city’s commitment to restore the building to its former grandeur.

Q Where do you see architecture going in the next decade?

The soul searching expedition brought about by the ever intensifying quest for a Sustainable Built Environment, will be galvanised by the growing awareness of the role of ‘Cultural Adequacy’ as an inseparable factor in ensuring greater appreciation and tolerance of the multitude of concepts and philosophies afforded to mankind by the diversity of cultures the world over.

In 1991 the United Nations Committee on Economic, Cultural and Social Rights declared that the right to adequate housing is measured by amongst others ‘Cultural Adequacy’.  To-date in built environment discourse and practice ‘Cultural Adequacy’ remains an under-emphasised factor much as the subject of ‘Sustainability’ was until the late nineties although the latter was advocated for as early as the sixties.

Each month, Leading Architecture puts the spotlight on an industry leader. This month we speak to Daniel van der Merwe, professional architect to the Cement & Concrete Institute

Q Tell us about your background.

I grew up on a farm near Knysna, a background I’m thankful for as it instilled in me a love for the land and a spiritual understanding of the interrelatedness of all things. This profoundly influenced my world view on the transient nature of Life and to always try to evaluate the real importance of things within a non materialistic framework.

This has also influenced my attitude towards architecture as an impact which should tread lightly on the land; a connector which should enter respectfully into a contextual dialogue with its surround. Quite frankly there are too many people in this world and we are parasitically consuming her at a rate which spells doom. And, too many badly considered buildings which are draining nonrenewable resources needlessly without future regard.

I try to practice what I preach in my own projects, and hopefully during my long stint as a design lecturer at the then TWR and now UJ, this idea of being responsible and responsive rubbed of on many students who are now practitioners! As a member of the Green Building Council, The Cement & Concrete Institute where I now work as an architect, actively promotes the responsible use of concrete in a sustainable manner. We have introduced many initiatives such as the C&CI Architectural Student Sustainable Design Competition, allowing for more research through bursaries and subvention schemes and generally play a key role in assisting the promotion of responsible architecture in SA.

Q Where did you study and what qualifications did you receive?

I first studied Landscape Architecture at Pretoria University, and afterwards continued my studies in Architecture which I completed at the University of the Witwatersrand. My final year dissertation was the climatic highlight of nine years of study: a Tibetan Buddhist Complex in Nieu-Bethesda was a yearlong engagement which left an indelible personal imprint. My student years were interesting years as we were all very involved in protest politics and community service – something which I think is absent in student life today. In fact, I find students nowadays far more apathetic, materialistic and less inclined towards volunteerism.

Q How did you get involved in architecture?

Having grown up in one of the most awesome and unspoilt regions of South Africa, I was inspired by the beauty of my world. I believe this to have been a sensitising inspirational experience which evoked inquisitiveness and a call to creative response. Landscape architecture, and thereafter architecture, just seemed a logical way of answering this call towards an engagement. Also, I truly believed then – and still do so today – that architecture can be a very potent agent for change which we as her servants should endeavour to contribute.

Q What about South African architecture inspires you?

The ingenuity of the informal, of ‘n boer maak ‘n plan which is evident everywhere in our country and of which our vernacular architecture is a great and inspirational source. It is that continuation of the ancient African idea of ‘making most benefit for least resource’. I abhor commercial monstrosities which show no respect for anything and which are purely profit driven. There are many unsung small heroes, small ‘barefoot’ practices who are making a difference out there in our rural areas and informal settlements, helping towards creating the architectural framework for a ‘better life for all’.

Q Do you think SA architects provide their clients with a good service?

I would like to think that most architects are as good as the values and priorities of their clients whose needs they must accommodate! The World Cup legacy projects are a testimony to what our architects are capable of when given opportunities. South African architectural production is extremely revealing of the peculiar ways in which we view and construct ourselves as a young, short-term goal orientated society. Too many architects are still constrained by a ‘give the client what they want’ mindset which has led to very little experimental architectural endeavour. The power of architects to contribute is further eroded by the ‘cut rate’ and partial service discount attitude of many commercial developers and other mainstream clients.

More architects should become involved in the government’s massive Public Works Programme despite the challenging realities of working with and in disadvantaged communities. Over R1 trillion is earmarked to be spent over the next few years and yet the architectural profession is shining in their absence. That is neglecting the biggest client of them all and in the process doing a disservice to all of society.

Q What has been your favorite project to date?

The smallest of them all. Doing renovations and additions to an artist’s house in Attridgeville, adding a rooftop studio so that he could look out over the township and see a mountain or two in the distance. His pleasure and that of his children gave me the greatest reward. Other projects, where I have been able to persuade clients to allow the use of renewable materials efficiently, and proved to them that it is cost efficient and the right thing to do. The greatest challenge and satisfaction comes from an end result where discipline and determination was needed because cash strapped clients entrusted you with their life savings and you were able to manifest their dreams.

Q. What existing project do you wish you could have been involved in?

Nero Wolff’s Usasazo Secondary school in Khayelitsha for the meaningful contribution it is making towards that community

Q What are you currently working on?

I’m passionately involved in my work at the Cement & Concrete Institute which takes up most of my time. Free time is currently divided between doing self sustainability driven ‘off the grid’ houses in the Drakensberg and the eastern Free State. But what really excites me at the moment is my involvement as convener in the architectureZA2010 Biennale Festival, the first of which is scheduled to take place from September 21-24 in Newtown, Johannesburg. With 132 speakers, nine exhibitions and six design master classes amongst the many activities, this promises to be the biggest event ever on the architectural calendar. I trust that many of your readers will come and participate in this ground breaking event. For more information, visit www.aza2010.org

Q Where do you see architecture going in the next decade?

I foresee that ‘sustainability’ will move beyond a buzzword to become the essence in driving our search for solutions towards creating considerate built environments which can serve our future communities in a supportive manner. I trust that architects will increasingly take up the challenge as agents of change as architecture is possibly one of humankind’s most potent manifestations of that will. And I trust the architectural profession engaging ever more in a leading and optimistic manner in the formalising of our ever-increasing urbanised futures. The alternative is too ghastly to contemplate!

Q What is your background?

I was born on the East Coast, in the spicy city of Durban. I learned to love all-things curry and masala coloured, like cumin, paprika, pepper and bay leaf. I then moved to Cape Town in 1998.

Q What sparked your interest in interior design?

I trained originally in textile design but my earliest careers were based in a corporate environment where enormous focus was placed on productivity levels. Through keeping contacts with the design world I started hearing and reading about the psychological impact of the elements of interiors on the wellbeing of users or inhabitants (staff, learners, homeowners, conference attendees etc). This fascinated me and the desire to create beautiful, functional and user beneficial interiors drove me to interior design and the formation of Design Quarters.

Q What would you say is your signature design style?

Personally I don’t fully believe in a ‘signature style’. In a domestic environment the style should always be that of the client, guided and/or informed by the principles of design. The architect’s choice, with the client, to blend or contrast with the environment will also influence the interior style. In a retail environment the brand personality should dominate the design decisions – the brand experience must match brand promises and hence the design should contribute to your customers relating in a meaningful way with your brand. The word ‘experience’ again pops up when we discuss the commercial sector. It’s important to create an ‘experience’ for the business teams and business leaders who value and respect their ‘Life At Work’. The focus needs to be on brand personality, various comfort levels and flow efficiency. The latter two feed into productivity. This experience is also created for clients who visit the building, allowing them a private view into the world you have created for your teams and your brand. The four associates forming Design Quarters all believe in this philosophy.

Q There is the debate about a South Africa style of architecture, but is there a South African style of interior design?

Based on my personal opinion on signature style, the answer here would arguably be no. There are some persevering trends, such as faux Tuscan (please let there be an end) and faux Provence. Then there’s the jarring ‘facebrick beach cottage’ with all purchases based on practicality without considering that one can find tasteful, very practical choices. Where South African design is different to European, for example, is the fact that we have abundant space. To quote Boyd Ferguson, “In international centres the challenge is to develop the ultimate clever-clever space saving… whereas in South Africa it is a full-blown battle to fill space.” Some abuse of this space usage I find to be almost indecent and certainly wasteful from an environmental perspective.

Q Describe your ultimate client?

I smiled for a long time before answering this question. It is a simple, yet complicated question. I believe what it all boils down to in the end is respect and trust.

Q What are you currently working on?

I have designed an education course (workshop style), based on my years of tutoring, targeted at the domestic market. I wish to assist homeowners in being able to successfully handle smaller decorating projects on their own and to broaden their understanding of the value that professionals bring to the table. It is a four morning (one per week) workshop structure, with each session broken into three parts. In the first part a professional will introduce their profession and the value that they bring, e.g. an architect, a carpenter, a fabric house. During the second part I will teach them decorating principles and the third part is a hands on workshop where the clients will start on a small project of their choice which they will build on over the coming weeks. They will leave with a project pack and the contact details of the professionals for when they want to upgrade their project into a larger renovation or new build.

Q How would you rate the standard of education in the field?

It is improving all the time, which is very exciting to see. An overseas education, however, still appears to be valued more by the local market.

Q Can you name one trend which you think is worth keeping an eye on?

As we all know, the eco trend is big. It’s great to see how it is moving in a positive direction in South Africa. The market is certainly not embracing it fully yet but I believe it will become a norm, not a trend. It also is a chapter in my belief in the impact of interiors on the wellbeing of inhabitants and users.

Q What is your background?

I was born in Joburg, where I grew up. I went to school at the Art, Ballet, Music and Drama School in Braamfontein, and Inscape Design College in Illovo. Much of my education has also been from living and working my profession, and especially running my own design business.

Q What sparked your interest in interior design?

While at school I always loved design of all types, but it was a trip to the opening of the Cascades Hotel at Sun City that really sparked my interest.

Q What would you say is your signature design style?

My signature design style is to give my clients the best possible interior environment to suit their needs, combining their practical, functional requirements with beautiful design.

Q There is the debate about a South Africa style of architecture, but is there a South African style of interior design?

Yes there is. For me the South African style has got to do with what products I can source locally and with the budgets of my clients. There are so many unique, locally designed and manufactured products that are far superior to imported items, which invariably cost a great deal more.

Q Describe your ultimate client?

My ultimate client is anyone who wants to improve their interior space, either through aesthetic, visual design, or to make better use of the space they already use, whether it is to live, work or play in

Q What are you currently working on?

I have quite a few projects underway. In the commercial sector these include the refurbishment of 850m² of office space in Cape Town city centre, the redesign of the marketing and boardroom areas for a corporate client in Paarl and designing new office space for a corporate client in Port Elizabeth. In the education sector, I am revamping the offices and reception area for a primary school in Melkbosstrand. I am also refurbishing a church. On the domestic front, I am working on the design of private houses in Maputo and Struisbaai. My most recently completed project was the project management of the external hospitality areas for the Cape Town Stadium during the FIFA World Cup.

Q How would you rate the standard of education in the field?

The standard of education is brilliant in theory, but lacks an in-depth understanding of what is involved in seeing projects through to completion. Education does not include the full scope of what an interior designer does on a daily basis.

Q Can you name one trend which you think is worth keeping an eye on?

The green agenda. There are so many products, materials and technologies that are constantly being developed that will help us as designers lead the way in designing a more sustainable world.

Q What is your background?

I was born in the UK but have lived in South Africa all my life, my parents having emigrated here when I was an infant.

Q What sparked your interest in interior design?

Having always been a creative, artistic type of person, in the beginning I wasn’t sure which path to follow. I went to an open day at the then Wits Technikon and looked at all the courses offered in terms of the arts faculty. When I came across interior design I was immediately hooked!

Q What would you say is your signature design style?

I would say that I have a fairly contemporary style but not strictly so that each client can’t introduce their own flair of identity. Each design that we work on definitely ends up with its own distinctive characteristics, but it may be said that there is always the I.Scope vein of undercurrent.

Q There is the debate about a South Africa style of architecture, but is there a South African style of interior design?

I think South African interior design as an identifiable element is currently ‘still under construction’ so to speak but there is definitely a disposition coming to the fore to try and use local products and suppliers (as can be seen in our use of a local pavement vendor to make a light shade for one of our clients. See the pic).

Q Describe your ultimate client?

Our ultimate client is one who appreciates exceptional design and innovation and especially what it takes to produce it.

Q What are you currently working on?

Lots of exciting projects in the pipe line, most interesting and challenging will be a new small office building for a private client – we’re going to explore every avenue of going as green as we can – and the design and relocation of, as well as additions to, an office/factory for a global company

Q How would you rate the standard of education in the field?

‘Fair’ would be my description if I have to reduce it to one word. I do believe that one’s capabilities reside largely in one’s personality though, not necessarily in one’s education.

Q Can you name one trend which you think is worth keeping an eye on?

I believe our approach is shifting more towards clever design and use of furniture within a space, rather than just focusing on the space itself. The space efficiency and possibly multi-functionality of the furniture and space is taken into consideration, i.e. staff areas that double up as informal meeting areas.

Q Tell us about your background.

I was born and raised in the mining town of Springs where I was experientially aware of the spatial layering of apartheid planning.  My family was in retail trading with mineworkers and rural migrants which gave me a firsthand window to the migrant labour processes. My family lived in a town that was not proclaimed an Indian settlement, although the Indian community had lived there for generations, therefore we were mostly illegal. The deep commitment of the elders of my community and great teachers to education and development was a precious gift to me.

I spent three years of primary school in Johannesburg where the central CBD was my playground even if I was not allowed into most places. I matriculated in 1976, the year of the student uprisings. I worked in a black hospital as a trained advanced first aid and home nursing volunteer in my high school years.

These foundational experiences and the inspirational uncovering of a giant leader, Mr. Mandela, built my awareness that my generation held the keys to a democratic South Africa, politically and professionally. It was thus imperative to take on a leadership role in opening up the room to manoeuver and make a difference.

Q Where did you study and what qualifications did you receive? 

I studied a Bachelor of Architecture at Wits and finished at UCT with a three year period of work and travel during the practical training period. I backpacked through Britain and Europe for two months followed by two years of travel and housing and integrated development work in India. The Ahmedabad Study action group was a dynamic NGO, which partnered with a rural Ghandian development organisation. This provided a crash course in development studies and practice, in a context enriched by the values of another giant leader, Ghandi.  

The rest of my qualifications came from combining my day job as an architect at two reputable multidisciplinary practices in Cape Town and my after hours job in executive positions in various development and professional organisations. I realised by 1993 that I had to start my own larger practice if I was to influence the agenda. Thus my first larger practice with three other partners was formed.

When my first child was born in 1998, I looked at the state of the world that I helped to create and realised that there was something more that could be possible. I thus generated an intensive self learning course that raised my awareness of the environmental imperative as being of equivalent importance as the social one, and that it was still possible to design ourselves into a more sustainable future. This was thus my most important qualification. I that think I began to ask some sensible questions and am committed to finding good solutions. This was the basis of creating with my life and business partner and a wonderful team of committed people, a clearer, values led, multidisciplinary practice to address integrated and holistic solutions in the built environment.

ARG Design creates innovative, inspirational, sustainable settlements and buildings. I have a leadership team that leads the disciplines of Urban Design, Architecture, Planning, Environmental Management and Landscape Architecture. In addition we are actively engaged in getting the best solutions by combining the different skills sets of the X, Y, Z and veteran generations as our contribution to a sustainable profession.

Q How did you get involved in architecture? 

I was looking for training in a practical vocation that was creative, intellectually challenging and contributed to the wellbeing of people. The description of architecture was the one course that fitted that set of requirements in the university prospectus. I enrolled at the University of Witwatersrand and found that it opened vast and wonderful worlds and worldviews for me. I still am on this learning journey of discovery.

Q What about South African architecture inspires you?

The challenge of creating sustainable solutions for our context, rich and poor, and the rich palette of explorations and interpretations that is emerging and that still remains untapped in our land of such vibrant people, climate, biodiversity and a passion to live culturally rich lives and lifestyles.

Q Do you think SA architects provide their clients with a good service?

Architects and built environment practitioners in this country have rigorous training and professional bodies that provide good practice support and continuous training, so I trust that we have a qualified client-service provider match in the private sector. 

I am not aware of operative practices or forums that provide more rigorous debate and feedback about the targeted value of services rendered by architects. This would need clients and service providers to engage in more focused conversation.

In the public sector, we need to consciously deploy the scarce pool of excellent skills willing to work in this terrain to areas that have not been the recipients of sound and sustainable settlement and buildings design. This would include defining the measure of good services to end users.

At present we have parallel settlements emerging in most urban centres; islands of excellent design affluence surrounded by design-by-default sprawl and shack cities. In fact, the future of our cities is emerging and will continue to grow as poorly designed shack sprawl. This is fundamentally socially, environmentally and financially unsustainable. This huge blind spot need to be addressed as a priority by the whole built environment fraternity and also urban communities.

Q What has been your favourite project to date?

The Lynedoch Multipurpose Centre, the Blue Downs Swimming Pool, the stock road long distance bus terminus and the BRT bus stations. Buildings and projects that act as sustainability catalysts spatially, materially and functionally are my favourite. Most of our projects do this.

Q What existing project do you wish you could have been involved in?

The portfolio of projects that ARG works with focuses on sustainable settlement design and the design of public places and spaces. This provides a range of projects that are challenging and we try to make a sustainable difference with each project. I wish to continue to put our collective energy to this critical delivery task in a way that does not utilise at least one third of our resources in non-productive activity such as tendering. We are operating in a scarce skills context and need to deploy the resources more strategically.

Q What are you currently working on? 

A medium rise office block that combines the principle of Vastu and is being prepared for Green Star rating registration. The BRT bus stations for Cape Town, a community health centre, a green RDP settlement with food security and climate change mitigation and adaptation measures and a sustainable outdoor room in a townhouse complex incorporating a vertical urban food garden, a green swimming pool, water harvesting and reuse and a children’s play area.

Our CSI contribution has focused  on working  with city and other partners to build multi-stakeholder and intradisciplinary solutions for sustainable neighbourhood development in a well located township local area in Cape Town.

Q Where do you see architecture going in the next decade?

Design for climate change adaptation and mitigation, including extreme weather events and gradual warming, low water and energy resourceful design and waste minimisation.

The bigger sustainability gains will come from fundamentally rethinking sustainable settlement design from the basis of more self-sustaining and walkable neighbourhoods.