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HOME FURNISHING INSPIRATIONS

MIRAI BY NATUZZI

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AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE MMXXVI

GEBERIT SELNOVA SQUARE

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E ITOR’S N TE Gravity

Being your own boss requires you to play two rather incompatible characters at once. One is the creative: the dreamer, the unrestrained optimist, the person forever beginning sentences with, 'Imagine if we...' The other is the rationalist, following closely behind with a spreadsheet, asking what it will cost, what could go wrong, and whether any of this can actually work. Many of you will know the particular madness of being both. Every creative project requires some negotiation between these two selves. But beginning a passion project like this one — committing real time, limited resources, and belief to an ambition that does not yet exist beyond your own conviction — demands something more. It requires a leap of faith. Or, perhaps more accurately, a leap of belief: in what something might become before there is any proof that it will.

The Scape Awards of Excellence began with that kind of belief. We created the Awards because South African architecture and design deserved a platform equal to the strength of the work being produced here. Our industry is not operating at the edge of a global conversation, nor merely keeping pace with it. It is contributing work of real intelligence, originality, and consequence. Along this journey — if you're lucky enough to get it right — there comes a point when an awards programme begins to develop its own gravity. I believe the Scape Awards of Excellence have reached that point. We can build the categories, assemble an international jury, protect the integrity of the process, and pay close attention to every detail. We can get every mechanic right, but we cannot manufacture significance. That part has been created by the practices willing to place their work beside the Scape name — and, in doing so, place their reputations in our hands. When respected firms say, 'We believe this is worth entering,' others notice. The field strengthens. The standard rises. Excellence attracts excellence. This year, only one-sixth of all projects entered have reached the shortlist, representing fewer than half of the participating firms. Those numbers speak to the competition, but can't quite capture the quality inside these pages. This shortlist is not simply the prelude to the announcement of the winners. It is a distinction in its own right: a record of the projects that commanded the attention of an exacting global jury and earned their place among the strongest work of 2026. In 2024, the Scape Awards were about making an entrance. In 2025, they were about momentum: proving the first year was not an isolated moment, but a beginning. And now, in our third year, the programme has acquired something altogether more powerful. Gravity.

Shortlist Shoot Images: Antonia Steyn

For three years, we have been deep in the engine room, consumed by the work of building this programme. Only now are we beginning to look up and take proper measure of what has been created. None of it was built alone but alongside two exceptional partners, Oggie Flooring and Infinity Surfaces, and an industry that has met our ambition with its own. The Scape Awards are not ultimately defined by the trophy, the ceremony, the magazine, or even the jury. They are defined by the remarkable concentration of talent that has chosen to make this programme its own.

You provide the excellence. My privilege is to ensure it does not go unnoticed.

Cover Image: Textile by Kilnhouse Design Studio

AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE MMXXVI

BATHROOM TAPS WITH SUSTAINABILITY IN MIND.

Stainless steel with a clear conscience. +27 (021) 510 0489 30 Royal Road, Maitland Cape Town. 7405. South Africa www.joansa.co.za

AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE MMXXVI

NAVIGATE 32 JURORS

MAKER OF THE YEAR

ARCHITECTURE FIRM OF THE YEAR — LARGE PRACTICE

RESIDENCE OF THE YEAR

111

119

133

RESIDENTIAL REFURB OF THE YEAR

RESIDENTIAL INTERIOR OF THE YEAR

UNBUILT PROJECT OF THE YEAR — ARCHITECTURE

102

UNBUILT PROJECT OF THE YEAR — INTERIORS 17

INTERIOR DESIG N FIRM OF THE YEAR

ARCHITECTURE FIRM OF THE YEAR — SMALL PRACTICE

HOTEL & RESORT OF THE YEAR

139

COLLABORATION OF THE YEAR

AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE MMXXVI

146

176

204

153

180

210

RESTAURANT & BAR OF THE YEAR

INTERNATIONAL BUILD BY A SOUTH AFRICAN PRACTICE

162

CONCEPT PRODUCT DESIG N OF THE YEAR

169

EMERGING STUDIO OF THE YEAR

EDUCATIONAL BUILD OF THE YEAR

INCLUSIVE BUILD OF THE YEAR

184

LANDSCAPE & URBAN PROJECT OF THE YEAR

IN GOOD COMPANY

BIG BUILD OF THE YEAR

217

191

222

THE MMXXVI RISING STAR AWARD

198

VISIONARY DEVELOPMENT OF THE YEAR

IN A NEW LIGHT

MARK THE SPOT

THE QUINTESSENTIAL KITCHEN

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AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE MMXXVI

MMXXVI

AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE MMXXVI

THE HAND THAT DEALS MEET THE MMXXVI JURORS Great design does not exist in isolation. It is shaped by ideas, challenged by different perspectives, and strengthened through the exchange of knowledge. For the 2026 Scape Awards of Excellence, we have brought together an extraordinary international jury of architects, interior designers, academics, critics, industrial designers, and creative leaders whose work is helping define the world we live in. From established practices with decades of influence to emerging voices challenging convention, this year’s jurors represent a remarkable breadth of disciplines, cultures, geographies, and approaches. We have reached across continents to invite experts whose perspectives extend far beyond their own fields: some are architects working at the scale of cities; others create intimate interiors, sculptural objects, landscapes, furniture, or new ways of thinking about the built environment. Some teach and research; others make, build, curate, write, or advocate. Together, they bring a depth of experience that makes the judging process as much an exchange of ideas as it is an assessment of excellence. To be considered by this group is to be placed in conversation with some of the most compelling minds in contemporary design. Their collective knowledge, instinct, and ambition set an exceptional standard for this year’s Awards, making the MMXXVI jury not simply a panel of judges, but a reflection of the extraordinary breadth and possibility of design today. 32

AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE MMXXVI

CARLO RATTI ASSOCIATI

NINA MAGON STUDIO

NOTE DESIGN STUDIO

Carlo Ratti Turin

Nina Magon Houston

Johannes Karlström Stockholm

Designer of the iconic torch for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, Carlo Ratti is an architect, engineer, and one of the world's leading voices on the future of cities. He’s the founder of CRA–Carlo Ratti Associati, director of the MIT Senseable City Lab, and he curated the 2025 Venice Architecture Biennale.

Founder and principal of Nina Magon Studio, Nina Magon is an internationally acclaimed designer redefining contemporary luxury through bold, refined interiors and multimillion-dollar developments. She also serves as U.S. ambassador to Maison&Objet Paris, championing innovation and the future of modern design.

Johannes Karlström, co-founder of Note Design Studio, has helped shape one of the world's most celebrated multidisciplinary design practices. As head of architecture and interior design, he leads award-winning projects spanning hospitality, workplaces, museums, and exhibitions.

ROJKIND ARQUITECTOS

FRAN SILVESTRE ARQUITECTOS

MATTERS + MADE

Michel Rojkind Mexico City One of Mexico's most influential architects, Michel Rojkind, founder of Rojkind Arquitectos, is renowned for bold, experience-driven architecture and urban innovation. In 2025, he was elevated to Honorary Fellow of the American Institute of Architects, recognising his global contribution to the profession.

Fran Silvestre Valencia Fran Silvestre leads the internationally acclaimed practice, Fran Silvestre Arquitectos, delivering award-winning projects across Europe, the Americas, Asia, and the Middle East. An architect, educator, and frequent international lecturer, his refined, minimalist architecture has been widely exhibited and published worldwide. 33

Chloe Matters Sydney Known for creating calm, textural interiors that blend warmth with timeless sophistication, Chloe leads Matters + Made with a refined approach to residential and boutique design. Her studio delivers bespoke, full-service projects that respond thoughtfully to place, craftsmanship, and everyday living.

AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE MMXXVI

ASTET STUDIO Ala Zreigat and Oscar Engroba Barcelona

MASSIMO ADARIO ARCHITETTO Massimo Adario Rome

OSHINOWO STUDIO Tosin Oshinowo Lagos

Founded by architects Ala Zreigat and Oscar Engroba, Astet Studio is an internationally acclaimed multidisciplinary practice renowned for hospitality, interior, and product design rooted in authenticity, narrative, and material coherence. In 2024 and 2025, the studio was named to the prestigious AD100 list for both Europe and the Middle East.

Massimo Adario has built a reputation for creating original spaces with exceptional attention to detail, delivering refined interiors that balance context, functionality, and timeless design. His practice draws inspiration from both classical and contemporary masters, crafting projects designed to endure.

Internationally recognised for her socially responsive approach to architecture, urbanism, and design, Tosin Oshinowo has emerged as one of Africa's most influential contemporary architects. She curated the 2023 Sharjah Architecture Triennial and is a 2025 Loeb Fellow at Harvard University's Graduate School of Design.

A-NRD

C+S ARCHITECTS

MAISON NUMÉRO 20

Alessio Nardi and Lukas Persakovas London

Maria Alessandra Segantini Venice | London

Oscar Lucien Ono Paris

With a design profile of immersive hospitality interiors, A-nrd has become one of the UK’s most celebrated design studios through its narrative-led approach and meticulous craftsmanship. The award-winning practice seamlessly blends bespoke design, material honesty, and artistic collaboration to create richly atmospheric spaces.

Winner of the Italian Architect of the Year Award 2022, Maria Alessandra Segantini is internationally recognised for architecture connecting ecology, memory, and public life through the concept of ‘Future Heritage’. As co-founder of C+S Architects, she has delivered acclaimed projects across Europe and the Middle East while teaching internationally, including at MIT.

Oscar Lucien Ono creates cinematic interiors that blend Art Deco influences with contemporary craftsmanship and rich materiality. Through Maison Numéro 20, he has delivered acclaimed hospitality and residential projects and was a guest of honour at the 2026 Salone del Mobile in Milan.

AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE MMXXVI

VDVA Víctor Della Vecchia Buenos Aires

NOZ DESIGN Noz Nozawa San Francisco

PASSARELLI ARQUITETOS Marcelo Passarelli São Paulo

With a practice spanning architecture, landscape, urban design, research, and teaching, Víctor Della Vecchia explores the void as a powerful spatial structure, balancing matter, territory, and context with precision. His work has been presented at the Venice, Buenos Aires, and Chile Architecture Biennials and published internationally.

Noz Nozawa brings a fearless design vision that prioritises joy, individuality, and emotional connection, creating artful, deeply personal interiors. Her acclaimed work has earned recognition from the LUXE Gold List, the 1stDibs 50, and Architectural Digest, while her practice remains committed to giving back through community initiatives.

Marcelo Passarelli creates original residential and commercial projects defined by innovation, precision, and strong conceptual thinking. Through the distinctive architectural language of Passarelli Arquitetos, he continues to shape contemporary architecture with a commitment to design excellence.

LINEHOUSE

ADJAYE ASSOCIATES

BREATHE

Briar Hickling and Alex Mok Hong Kong Known for bold, narrative-driven architecture and interiors, Linehouse creates immersive spaces that celebrate craftsmanship, materiality, and a strong sense of place. Working across the Asia-Pacific region and beyond, the studio has earned international acclaim for its hospitality, retail, workplace, and residential projects.

Kofi Bio Accra

Jeremy McLeod Melbourne

As a key figure at Adjaye Associates, Kofi Bio brings a deep understanding of architecture across Africa and the global stage. His work spans cultural, civic, and institutional projects, exploring how sustainable development, technology, and place can shape architecture with lasting social impact.

A leading advocate for sustainable and accessible cities, Jeremy McLeod is co-founder of Breathe Architecture and Nightingale Housing, pioneering new models for housing and urban design. Recipient of the 2025 AIA Urban Design Champion Award, he champions architecture that puts people and the planet first.

AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE MMXXVI

EMBT ARCHITECTS

SARAIVA + ASSOCIADOS

Benedetta Tagliabue Barcelona

Miguel Saraiva Lisbon

DAVID KOHN ARCHITECTS

Internationally acclaimed architect Benedetta Tagliabue is co-founder of EMBT Architects, the award-winning practice behind landmark projects including the Scottish Parliament and Barcelona's Santa Caterina Market. A former juror for the Pritzker Architecture Prize, her work has received more than 100 international awards and honours.

With three decades of international practice, Miguel Saraiva has established Saraiva + Associados as one of Portugal's leading architecture firms, delivering projects across Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas. A recognised industry leader and vice-president of APPC, he is renowned for championing innovation, sustainability, and design excellence.

YOUNG PROJECTS

CLOU ARCHITECTS

DANIEL JOSEPH CHENIN

Bryan Young New York

Sebastian Loaiza Hong Kong

Daniel Joseph Chenin Las Vegas

Bryan Young is the founder of Young Projects, an award-winning New York practice known for its experimental approach to architecture and material innovation. In 2026, he was elevated to the College of Fellows of the American Institute of Architects, one of the profession's highest honours.

As design director at CLOU, Sebastian Loaiza leads award-winning projects across Asia and the Middle East, exploring architecture as a catalyst for urban transformation and social connection. His work has received more than 20 international awards, including honours from the World Architecture Festival, Architizer, and ArchDaily.

With a holistic approach to architecture and interiors, Daniel Joseph Chenin creates immersive environments that respond thoughtfully to climate, landscape, and the human experience. Elevated to the College of Fellows of the American Institute of Architects in 2025, his work is celebrated for its timeless, environmentally responsive design.

David Kohn London

David Kohn leads a practice delivering acclaimed arts, education, and residential projects across Europe. Internationally recognised for his thoughtful approach to architecture, his recent work includes major commissions for Oxford University and the S.M.A.K. Contemporary Art Museum, and in 2027 he will serve as a visiting professor at Yale University.

AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE MMXXVI

NORMAN FOSTER INSTITUTE

CLAUDIA AFSHAR DESIGN

Irene Martín Luque Madrid

Claudia Afshar Los Angeles

Leading research at the Norman Foster Institute, Irene Martín Luque explores the future of cities through data modelling, artificial intelligence, and urban analytics. She also advises the UN Environment Programme on the circular built environment, advancing research at the intersection of technology, sustainability, and design.

With a global portfolio spanning interiors, hospitality, commercial environments, and product design, Claudia Afshar has built a reputation for refined spaces rooted in craftsmanship and innovation. Through Claudia Afshar Design, she is shaping a contemporary luxury design house around a singular philosophy: the art of living beautifully.

FOUNDER, ARCHDAILY

TEKLAN

David Basulto Berlin

Tekla Evelina Severin Stockholm

Founder of ArchDaily, the world’s most widely used architecture platform, David Basulto has played a defining role in connecting the global design community. As Editor-in-Chief until 2024, he helped shape ArchDaily’s mission to inspire, connect, and empower the industry.

Known for her bold exploration of colour, Tekla is a multidisciplinary designer whose work spans interiors, art direction, imagery, and spatial experiences. Through a playful yet precise approach, she transforms colour into an immersive design language that challenges perception and redefines the relationship between form, light, and space. 37

THE HAND THAT DEALS

AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE MMXXVI

DAWID KONIECZNY INTERIORS

22RE

MNMA

Dean Levin Los Angeles

Mariana Schmidt São Paulo

Drawing on a background in art, architecture, and design, Dean Levin creates refined, contemporary environments rooted in materiality, craftsmanship, and timeless design. Through his practice, 22RE, he delivers thoughtfully considered architecture, interiors, and furniture for residential, hospitality, and cultural projects.

Working across architecture, interiors, furniture, and art, Mariana Schmidt leads MNMA with a transdisciplinary approach that blends craftsmanship, contemporary technology, and poetic simplicity. Her internationally acclaimed work has received honours including the Prix Versailles World Award, iF Design Award, BIG SEE Awards, and Robb Report Brasil Design Awards.

WORKERS OF ART

GALERIE MAY

GRT ARCHITECTS

Rahul Mathew and Priya Rose Kochi

Maylis and Charles Tassin Paris

Tal Schori and Rus Mehta New York

Led by architects Rahul Mathew and Priya Rose, Workers of Art is an acclaimed multidisciplinary studio renowned for creating deeply personal, context-driven architecture across India. Guided by experimentation and artistic expression, the practice transforms colour, narrative, and place into immersive spatial experiences.

Drawing inspiration from cinema, music, and literature, Maylis and Charles Tassin create richly layered interiors that balance classical elegance with contemporary disruption. Through MAY, the duo reinterprets heritage, antiques, and craftsmanship to craft evocative spaces where storytelling and timeless design converge.

Tal Schori and Rus Mehta have established GRT Architects as a leading practice working across cultural, hospitality, commercial, and residential projects. Their architecture balances bold design with technical precision, thoughtfully reinterpreting historic contexts through a contemporary architectural lens.

Dawid Konieczny Warsaw | Paris Known for sophisticated interiors that blur the boundaries between design disciplines, Dawid Konieczny creates spaces defined by refined materiality, functionality, and distinctive visual expression. His work has been featured in leading international publications, including Architectural Digest, Vogue, Elle Decoration, and Yellowtrace.

AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE MMXXVI

HGA STUDIO

PABLO LUNA STUDIO

STUDIO/ JIALUN XIONG

Harley Graham Byron Bay

Pablo Luna Bali

Jialun Xiong Los Angeles

Harley Graham has delivered residential, cultural, and mixed-use projects across Australia, Asia, and beyond, known for architecture that responds sensitively to place. Drawing on experience with Studio Daniel Libeskind, he leads HGA Studio with a design philosophy rooted in context, craftsmanship, and enduring architecture.

Pablo Luna is recognised for pioneering a regenerative approach to architecture rooted in sustainability, local traditions, and natural materials. His work explores the relationship between people and place, with bamboo as a defining element of his practice.

Employing a bold yet restrained design language, Jialun Xiong creates architecture, interiors, furniture, and objects that explore the interplay of form, materiality, and perception. Her internationally recognised work has been featured by Wallpaper, Phaidon, and Sight Unseen, earning acclaim for its sculptural precision and contemporary vision.

ANDBLACK

K-THENGONO DESIGN STUDIO

KENYA RODRÍGUEZ ESTUDIO

Kelvin Thengono Jakarta

Kenya Rodríguez Guadalajara

Kelvin Thengono’s architecture reinterprets vernacular traditions through a contemporary lens, creating people-centred spaces that are deeply connected to place and culture. His internationally recognised work has received awards from Architizer, Archello, Design Anthology, and the Architecture MasterPrize.

A leading voice in Mexico's contemporary design scene, Kenya Rodríguez creates interiors that celebrate identity, wellbeing, and the rituals of everyday life. Her award-winning portfolio spans more than 200 residential, commercial, and hospitality projects across Mexico, the United States, the Caribbean, and Spain.

Jwalant Mahadevwala and Kanika Agarwal Ahmedabad Blending computational design with traditional craftsmanship, Jwalant Mahadevwala and Kanika Agarwal have established andblack as one of India's most innovative multidisciplinary design studios. Their work reinterprets local knowledge through architecture, interiors, and installations, creating culturally responsive projects that balance technological innovation with artisanal expertise.

AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE MMXXVI

SCHMIDT HAMMER LASSEN Kristian Lars Ahlmark Copenhagen As design director and partner at Schmidt Hammer Lassen, Kristian Lars Ahlmark has helped shape one of Scandinavia's most influential architectural practices through landmark projects across Europe, North America, and Asia. His award-winning work is recognised for its cultural relevance, enduring quality, and forward-thinking approach.

LW DESIGN GROUP Pooja Shah Mulani Dubai Pooja Shah-Mulani is the creative managing partner at LW Design Group, leading the firm's global expansion across Africa, Europe, Asia, and North America. An award-winning hospitality designer, she creates emotionally resonant, culturally grounded spaces, earning international acclaim and shaping some of the world's leading hospitality brands.

STYLED HABITAT

X+LIVING Li Xiang Shanghai

Rabah Saied Dubai

Li Xiang transforms art and cultural storytelling into unforgettable spatial experiences, delivering immersive commercial interiors. Through X+Living, she has designed landmark projects including the iconic Zhongshuge Bookstore, earning international recognition as one of China's most influential contemporary designers.

Rabah Saeid creates refined residential, commercial, and cultural spaces that balance emotion, functionality, and a deep sense of place. A three-time AD100 honouree (2024–2026), her immersive, narrative-driven interiors have established her as one of the region's leading contemporary designers.

V TALLER

MGAO

Daniel Villanueva Guadalajara

Matt Goodman Melbourne

Working at the intersection of territory, climate, and culture, V Taller creates inhabitable atmospheres shaped by their natural and social context. The practice moves from desert and jungle to coast and city, exploring architecture as a threshold between landscape and everyday life.

Using a thoughtful, context-driven approach to architecture, Matt Goodman creates refined spaces where strong conceptual thinking is balanced by practical design solutions. Through MGAO, he champions simplicity, honesty, and meticulous attention to detail, delivering architecture that is both purposeful and enduring.

AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE MMXXVI

BMA ARCHITECTS

ELFORMA STUDIO

MYLES BALDWIN DESIGN

Matthew LaBrake New York

Alexandra Koroleva Milan

As senior associate and design director at BMA Architects, Matthew LaBrake leads an award-winning portfolio defined by clarity of form, material authenticity, and a deep connection to landscape. Drawing on international experience across the Americas, Europe, and the Middle East, he brings a globally informed perspective to contemporary architecture.

Through a refined, highly individual approach to architecture and interiors, Elforma delivers bespoke residential, commercial, and hospitality projects that combine technical precision with contemporary design. With an international presence spanning Europe and the Middle East, the studio creates spaces shaped by context, culture, and craftsmanship.

Celebrated for landscapes that unite horticultural expertise with architectural sensitivity, Myles Baldwin has created some of Australia's most acclaimed gardens and outdoor environments. Creative director of Myles Baldwin Design, he was named Vogue Living's Landscape Designer of the Year in 2025.

ALENCAR ARQUITETURA

OFIS ARCHITECTS

WALKER WARNER

Nicholas Alencar Blumenau

Rok Oman Ljubljana

Greg Mottola San Francisco

Recognised for his commitment to public interest architecture, Nicholas Alencar creates socially driven projects that strengthen communities through research, collaboration, and thoughtful design. His internationally acclaimed work has received Architizer A+ and iF Design Awards and was exhibited at the 2025 Venice Architecture Biennale.

Co-founder of OFIS Architects, Rok Oman is internationally recognised for architecture that thoughtfully connects landscape, existing structures, and contemporary construction. His award-winning work spans residential, cultural, public, and hospitality projects, complemented by an active role in architectural education, exhibitions, and international design juries.

At Walker Warner, Greg Mottola approaches architecture with a strong sensitivity to context, landscape, and climate, placing the experience of those who inhabit each space at the heart of his work. His approach reflects the practice’s commitment to enduring architecture that creates meaningful connections between people, place, and experience.

Myles Baldwin Sydney | Melbourne

AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE MMXXVI

BOGDANOVA ARCHITECTS

PETER BRAITHWAITE STUDIO

Olga Bogdanova Geneva | Kyiv

Peter Braithwaite Halifax

Through contemporary architectural vision, Olga Bogdanova leads an international practice delivering projects across architecture and design. A prominent advocate for Ukrainian design, she has curated exhibitions at Paris, Dutch, and Milan Design Weeks while continuing to shape an internationally recognised body of work.

Drawing on a background in carpentry and cabinetmaking, Peter Braithwaite creates architecture defined by craftsmanship, natural materials, and enduring design. Through his practice, he champions environmentally and culturally sustainable buildings that respond seamlessly to their landscapes.

RA! ARQUITECTOS

LLABB ARCHITETTURA

Santiago Sierra Mexico City Co-founder of RA! Arquitectos, Santiago Sierra is recognised for creating architecture that transforms space into meaningful, lasting experiences. His internationally acclaimed work reflects a multidisciplinary perspective shaped by practice across Mexico and Europe, where storytelling and spatial expression define every project.

PÉREZ PALACIOS ARQUITECTOS ASOCIADOS Pablo Pérez Palacios Mexico City Pablo Pérez Palacios delivers architecture that enriches the human experience through a sensitive response to context. His award-winning work spans architecture, art, and urban design, earning recognition from Architizer, The Architect's Newspaper, Architectural Digest, and Frame.

RAYMOND JUNGLES INC.

Luca Scardulla and Federico Robbiano Genova

Austin Chase Miami

llabb is an interdisciplinary design studio that unites architecture, design, and graphics through a distinctly craft-led approach. Blending hands-on making with digital innovation, the practice creates thoughtful, meticulously crafted work that bridges traditional craftsmanship and contemporary design.

As design principal at Raymond Jungles Inc., Austin Chase creates immersive landscapes that seamlessly connect architecture, ecology, and the natural environment. His award-winning work across the Caribbean and South Florida is celebrated for its climate-responsive approach, tropical planting, and enduring sense of place.

AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE MMXXVI

SAMIRA RATHOD DESIGN ATELIER

SELLDORF ARCHITECTS

SC EDITION

Oliver Link New York City

Stéphanie Coutas Paris

Internationally renowned for her imaginative yet rigorous approach to architecture, Samira Rathod creates work that balances beauty, craftsmanship, and innovation with deep social purpose. Recipient of the 2015 arcVision Prize – Women and Architecture, she is also a respected educator and advocate for critical design research.

As a partner at Selldorf Architects, Oliver Link has led significant cultural and residential projects, including the expansion of The Frick Collection and One Domino Square on Brooklyn's waterfront. With more than 20 years of international experience, he brings a global perspective shaped by practice across South Africa, Brazil, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Celebrated for her luxurious, artful interiors, Stéphanie Coutas blends contemporary design with neo-classical elegance and exceptional craftsmanship. Founder of SC Edition, she draws on a rich cultural background shaped by Asia and fashion to create bespoke residences, hotels, and yachts defined by materiality, individuality, and enduring sophistication.

STUDIO HAGEN HALL

STUDIO SANGATH

Louis Hagen Hall London

Khushnu Panthaki Hoof Ahmedabad

SUSANNAH HOLMBERG STUDIOS

Known for thoughtfully connecting past and present, Louis Hagen Hall creates architecture, interiors, and furniture that reinterpret mid-century and modernist principles. Through Studio Hagen Hall, his award-winning work has earned recognition from Dezeen, the RIBA, and the British Homes Awards, with projects spanning the UK, Europe, and North America.

Principal architect at Studio Sangath and a close collaborator of Pritzker laureate Balkrishna Doshi for more than two decades, Khushnu Panthaki Hoof has played a pivotal role in preserving and extending his architectural legacy. Her acclaimed book, Balkrishna Doshi: Architecture for the People, was named among The New York Times' Best Books of 2019.

Samira Rathod Mumbai

Susannah Holmberg Salt Lake City Blending fine art with interior design, Susannah Holmberg creates spaces that are distinctive, timeless, and rich in visual character. Her work has received international editorial recognition, appearing in Architectural Digest, Vogue Living, Wallpaper, 1stDibs, Dezeen, and editions of AD across the US, Europe, and Mexico.

AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE MMXXVI

COLDEFY

CUMULUS STUDIO

Thomas Coldefy Lille

Todd Henderson Hobart

Thomas Coldefy leads Coldefy across a diverse portfolio of projects and scales, internationally recognised for his boundary-pushing approach to architecture. His work is driven by innovation, experimentation, and a belief in architecture's ability to enrich both creative culture and the experience of its users.

Todd Henderson creates spaces that balance beauty, functionality, and a strong sense of place. Through Cumulus Studio, his decades-long practice spans residential, commercial, education, and hospitality projects, with a commitment to design that enhances everyday experience without unnecessary complexity.

SYNTHETIC ARCHITECTURE

WALKER WARNER

Ozan Ertug and Pinar Ongun Istanbul Exploring the intersection of the natural and synthetic, Synthetic Architecture is redefining contemporary practice through the fusion of human creativity, craftsmanship, and artificial intelligence. Its research-driven approach challenges conventional design boundaries to create adaptive, future-focused spatial experiences.

ONUS ARCHITECTURE STUDIO Margarita Kyanidou Athens

Amadeo Bennetta San Francisco

Margarita Kyanidou creates work that balances material intelligence, climate-conscious design, and a deep sensitivity to place. Through ONUS Architecture Studio, her environmentally responsive, concept-driven work has earned international recognition from leading awards.

BUILT WORKS AND ARCHITECTS HOLIDAY William Gowland London

At Walker Warner, Amadeo Bennetta bring a deeply contextual, human-centred approach to architecture, shaped by an appreciation for landscape, climate, and the people who inhabit each space. His work reflects the practice’s belief in creating enduring architecture that connects people, place, and experience.

William Gowland brings together architecture, timber construction, hospitality, and development through a practice grounded in making. A Certified Passive House Designer, he explores how environmental responsibility, emerging technologies, and entrepreneurial thinking can create restorative places deeply connected to people and landscape.

AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE MMXXVI

A GANG OF THREE

VARIOUS ASSOCIATES

VOLUME ARCHITECTURE

William H. Dodge Charlotte

Qianyi Lin Shenzen

João Caria Lopes and Rodolfo Reis Lisbon

Architect, urban designer, and public artist William H. Dodge works across the boundaries of architecture, art, landscape, ecology, and advocacy. As co-founder of A Gang of Three, he uses design as a tool to confront urgent issues including climate change, migration, social justice, and collective memory.

Qianyi Lin explores the relationship between people and their environments, creating spaces with a distinct sense of character and identity. Balancing conceptual clarity with the ambitions of each brand, Lin’s work is defined by an intuitive sensitivity to emotion, atmosphere, and the human experience.

As co-founders of Volume Architecture, João Caria Lopes and Rodolfo Reis approach architecture as a continuous dialogue between people, place, and environment, creating holistic spaces shaped by social, economic, and environmental considerations.

STUDIO BARNES

BASSAMFELLOWS

CLIVE LONSTEIN

Francesca Picard Miami

Craig Bassam Conneticut

Clive Lonstein New York

Francesca Picard is Deputy Director of Studio Barnes, where she leads project development, operations, and design coordination across the practice’s architectural and cultural work. Her approach brings together identity, collective memory, historical inquiry, and community, translating cultural narratives into rigorous, thoughtful, and collaborative spaces.

Craig Bassam is an architect, designer, and co-founder of BassamFellows, whose work brings modernist principles together with exceptional craftsmanship and enduring materials. His Craftsman Modern philosophy champions authenticity, natural materials, and thoughtful design, with longevity at its heart as both a design principle and a form of sustainability.

Clive Lonstein is a Harvard-trained architect known for sophisticated interiors shaped by rich minimalism and reductive architecture. His international residential work is informed by experience at Studio Sofield and Tiffany & Co., where he led architecture and design for globally recognised luxury brands.

AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE MMXXVI

WE ARCHITECTURE Marc Jay and Julie Schmidt-Nielsen Copenhagen Marc Jay and Julie Schmidt-Nielsen lead WE Architecture, a studio rooted in collaboration, community, and a belief in architecture’s wider social and environmental potential. Working across architecture, urban strategies, and design, their practice explores how collective thinking can shape places that are both innovative and deeply connected to the people who inhabit them.

AGNES STUDIO Estefania de Ros Ciudad de Guatemala Estefania de Ros creates furniture and sculptural objects that explore memory, symbolism, and cultural heritage. Through her collaborative work with Guatemalan artisans and a decade as co-founder and creative director of Agnes Studio, she reinterprets traditional craftsmanship for a contemporary global audience.

HANA ETO GALL PAISAGISMO Hana Eto Gall Manaus Drawing inspiration from the landscapes of the Amazon, Hana Eto Gall creates ecologically sensitive environments that strengthen the relationship between architecture and nature. Through her landscape studio, she champions native planting and context-driven design grounded in technical rigour and environmental stewardship.

TIMELESS BEAUTY, REIMAGINED UNDERFOOT

Some floors define where a room ends. Quartz Carpet dissolves that line — a seamless 6mm expanse of hand-trowelled European alluvial quartz, bound in UV-stable resin and available in 36 refined colours, flowing uninterrupted from interior spaces to alfresco living areas and pool surrounds. Slip-resistant and engineered for enduring performance, it is laid directly over existing screeds or tiles — a considered solution for homes, hotels, spas and galleries where nothing less than exceptional will do. Speak to us about your next project and scan to view all 36 colours. 0861 782 789 Quartz Carpet® is a brand of Seamless Flooring Systems® | Available in 66 countries worldwide and serving South Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa and the Indian Ocean Islands.

AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE MMXXVI

MAKER THE YEAR

The alchemy of making: where material meets intention, and form is transformed through skill, instinct, and imagination. In the hands of the maker, furniture, lighting, textiles, and objects become more than functional; they acquire soul, shaping the spaces around them and revealing a distinctly South African point of view with the power to resonate far beyond its borders.

Image courtesy of Vitalli

AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE MMXXVI

VITALLI.

The TECTONIC COLLECTION draws from the deep time of landscapes, those spaces where pressure, erosion, and rupture define the terrain. What appears solid is, in truth, restless: stone grinding against stone, strata folding and collapsing, unseen forces pressing against the surface. It FORMS, SCULPTS, FRACTURES.

@vitalli.design www.vitalli.design

Image courtesy of Vitalli.

AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE MMXXVI

ALKALINE

WAYST, pronounced 'waste', began as a question the studio could not stop asking. What if demolition sites were not endpoints, but supply chains? What if the rubble left behind after a building comes down — the brick dust, the terrazzo offcuts, the ceramic fragments — carried enough material memory to become something worth keeping? Eighteen months were spent finding out, crushing, casting, shaping, and finishing construction debris sourced from local demolition and waste streams across KwaZulu-Natal into objects that retain the visible traces of their origin. 51

@alkaline_designs www.alkaline-shop.com Image courtesy of Alkaline

AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE MMXXVI

ANANTA DESIGN STUDIO From the intricate motifs and vibrant colours of Viveka and Rucita's ancestral Indian roots to the energy and diversity of their African home, both have become an integral part of the studio. This dual identity was rarely reflected in contemporary design. Ananta, a Sanskrit word meaning ‘infinite’ or ‘endless’ speaks to the continuous cycle of creation, transformation, and renewal. It's a visual language that reflects their dual identity and the beauty of cultural fusion.

@studioananta_ www.studio-ananta.com Image courtesy of Ananta Design Studio

HALDANE The made world is not a departure from nature. It is the continuation of it, by other means. HALDANE operates at the threshold where the cultural space inside walls meets the natural world outside them. Furniture continues the work that bodies began – holding, supporting, gathering people together. Outdoor furniture does this at the threshold between the built world and the natural one, where architecture hands the body to the landscape. @haldanemartin www.haldane.co.za Image courtesy of Haldane

AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE MMXXVI

RETICENCE The material carries as much meaning as the form and the narrative. It’s not forced — it’s learnt from, and it shows the way it wants to be expressed. Copper grown on ceramic is control meeting chance. Bronze, poured and set hard, is permanence made real — it will far outlive the studio. Underneath it all runs shadow and light, chaos and order, smoothness and texture. @reticencestudio www.reticence.co.za Image courtesy of Reticence

CURACIÓN COLLECTION Curación Collection has always been about shaping the art of a well-lived life. Through furniture, lighting, and collectables, the studio creates pieces that hold meaning and spaces that make people feel something. Good design should be felt every day — not only by a select few, but by everyone.

@curacion_collection www.curacion-collection.co.za Image courtesy of Curación Collection

AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE MMXXVI

Image courtesy of Louw Roets

LOUW ROETS Nature has become one of Louw's greatest teachers. The movement of kelp beneath the ocean, the windshaped patterns of sand dunes, and the quiet strength found in organic forms continually inspire sculptural furniture and artworks that seek to balance strength with elegance, permanence with movement, and precision with emotion. Working in the space between the functional and the sculptural, Louw creates heirlooms that invite reflection, enrich everyday life, and carry meaning across generations. @louwroets www.louwroets.co.za

DEFT STUDIOS Martin and Zani craft obsessions with a bit of magic worked into the details — a cheeky curve where you’d expect a straight line, a whimsical touch where you’d expect none. This is their most ambitious work to date: a rare attempt at something genuinely new in a crowded field, and a reminder that storage doesn't have to look like storage.

@deft.studios www.deftstudios.co.za Image courtesy of DEFT Studios

AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE MMXXVI

KILNHOUSE DESIGN STUDIO Kilnhouse began as a visual diary, documenting Nicola's journey of learning pottery at a hobby studio. She developed a style of making that felt authentic to her, falling madly in love with terracotta clay. When a client provides a blue-sky concept, Kilnhouse Design Studio brings the idea down to Earth in the form of clay. Historically, it is a clay of service being made into bricks, tiles, and storage jars throughout millennia. It informs a return to warmth and earthiness in the studio.

@kilnhousedesignstudio www.kilnhouse.co.za Image courtesy of Kilnhouse Design Studio

ONE TO ONE BY MARTIN DÖLLER During Martin's solitary explorations amidst the South African wilderness, he experienced the beneficial impact of natural light on his well-being. The brand had spent twenty years recreating natural light in built environments. What if it could bring the campfire indoors? Amphora became the beacon of that philosophy — the moment it took physical form.

@onetoonebymartindoller www.1-to-1.world Image courtesy of One to One by Martin Döller

CHRISTINE JACOBS At the centre of Christine's practice is South African Merino wool, sourced from local farming communities and intrinsically connected to her upbringing on a sixth-generation Merino sheep farm in the Free State. She has developed an original sculptural language that transforms the fibre. The material becomes both medium and archive, carrying the histories of landscape, pastoral knowledge, and generations of skilled labour. Through the ancient process of wet felting, using only raw wool, water, natural soap, and thousands of repetitive hand movements, loose fibres are transformed into dense sculptural forms.

@jacobs_christine_ www.jacobschristine.com Image courtesy of Christine Jacobs

AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE MMXXVI

THE.MINIMALIST

@theminimalist.sa www.theminimalistcpt.com

Image courtesy of the.minimalist

From learning the technical language of materials to mastering the craft of stainless-steel fabrication, the.minimalist has became an artisan in its own right. It was during late nights and long shifts that Jason and Joshua's love for design began to take shape. Those small sketches and after-hours builds evolved into a thriving design and manufacturing studio. Today, they transform raw ideas into carefully engineered solutions, marrying high-end design with technical excellence.

AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE MMXXVI

OKHA

STUDIO LLOYD

OKHA explores provocation, the beauty and paradox of discord, the imperfect and the unexpected. A reverence for cultural references and a desire to express the personal are signature traits. Through syncopation, proportion, materiality, and tension, the studio creates works of balance and grace. Using form as an expressive medium and primary connector, and deepened through materiality and cultural references, OKHA’s work is both rigorous and soulful.

Focusing on organic forms that give each design its own distinct character, Studio Lloyd incorporates the traditional technique of crocheting into modern lighting. Each fixture is allowed to develop organically, combining artisanal craft with luxurious, high-quality materials. By connecting structural functionality with unparalleled attention to detail, Studio Lloyd continues to push the boundaries of contemporary handwoven design, one extraordinary space at a time.

@__okha www.okha.com Image courtesy of OKHA

@studio_lloyd www.studiolloyd.com Image courtesy of Studio Lloyd

AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE MMXXVI

ARCHITECTURE FIRM THE YEAR - LARGE PRACTICE -

The influence of some architecture firms is woven into the fabric of the South African built environment and beyond. Their ideas have been tested and proven through execution, producing a body of work in which scale is matched by depth. Each practice is distinguished by consistency, conviction, and the ability to leave a lasting imprint on the world it helps to build.

AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE MMXXVI

BOOGERTMAN + PARTNERS Boogertman + Partners is an award-winning practice with a legacy that includes landmark projects such as Soccer City. With more than 100 local and international awards to its name, the practice continues to shape the built environment through ambitious, large-scale projects and a forward-looking approach to digital delivery, city-making, and design. @boogertmanandpartners www.boogertmanandpartners.com

AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE MMXXVI

CRAFT OF ARCHITECTURE The strength of their practice lies in their ability to move fluidly between the tailored and the technical, the bespoke and the budget-conscious. This balance between vision and execution is where Craft of Architecture believes great architecture lives. @craft_of_architecture www.coasite.com Photography by Arthub

ELPHICK PROOME ARCHITECTURE

Elphick Proome Architecture welcomes the opportunities presented by Africa’s diverse environments, recognising that climate, topography, culture, and community are not constraints to be overcome, but catalysts for meaningful design. @elphick.proome.architecture www.eparch.co.za Image courtesy of Elphick Prome Architecture 61

AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE MMXXVI

SAOTA Founded in 1986, SAOTA is an internationally recognised architecture practice with a presence across six continents and a portfolio shaped by diverse cultures, climates, and ways of living. Now in its 40th year, the firm brings a global perspective to architecture that is contextual, enduring, and deeply responsive to place. @_saota www.saota.com Image courtesy of SAOTA

TWOFIVEFIVE ARCHITECTS Innovation begins by asking better questions. This culture of curiosity shapes the way TwoFiveFive Architects approach every project. @255architects www.twofivefive.co.za

AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE MMXXVI

GASS ARCHITECTURE STUDIOS Design is never an isolated academic exercise — it’s what drives GASS Architecture Studios to ensure the vital links between buildings perform on the same level as the architecture itself. @gass_architecture_studios www.gass.co.za

AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE MMXXVI

LUXURY FRONTIERS Luxury Frontiers delivers hospitality experiences that feel as though they could exist nowhere else. The architecture begins with observation — what follows is a response, not a statement. @luxury_frontiers www.luxury-frontiers.com Image courtesy of Luxury Frontiers

D E S I G N E D B Y VA N I T I H O U S E T O G E T H E R W I T H M O M E N T A R C H I T E C T U R E & I N T E R I O R S

Cape Town 18 Marine Drive Paarden Eiland 021 418-0855 Johannesburg 6 Kramer Road Kramerville 011 325-5503 VICTO R I A N BATH R OO M S.CO.ZA

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AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE MMXXVI

RESIDENCE OF THE YEAR

Photography by Greg Cox

AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE MMXXVI

Architecture holds the rituals, rhythms, and moments that make a life. When a building responds to the landscape with such subtlety that the balance of texture, proportion, and light seems inevitable, or when a residence announces itself with expressive flair, a mere shelter can become a refuge, an anchor, or a muse. Through mastery of context, craft, and lived experience, the home transcends mere protection to become a retreat.

AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE MMXXVI

STEWART & PARTNERS for Sea Farm

Pringle Bay, Western Cape

“What a beautiful response to such a powerful landscape. The materials relate directly to the surroundings, while the closeness to nature is palpable — the landscape reclaiming the building, and the building welcoming the occurrence.” - Matt Goodman, MGAO

@stewartandpartners www.stewartandpartners.studio Photography by Paris Brummer 68

AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE MMXXVI

OPEN CITY ARCHITECTS WITH MR. for Timber House Noordhoek, Cape Town

“This home differentiates itself from others in several ways but most conspicuously by being a serious exploration of timber construction. This reduces embodied carbon and, given its apparent rarity as an approach, stands as a model for alternative forms of construction.” - David Kohn, David Kohn Architects

@open_city_architects www.opencity.co.za @instabymr www.bymr.co.za Photography by Paris Brummer

AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE MMXXVI

BIRU ARCHITECTS for Karoo Family Compound Prince Albert, Great Karoo

“The material palette is so thoughtfully curated. This home is expressive in its subtlety, allowing texture, proportion, light, and craftsmanship to take centre stage. I really love this house.” - Tosin Oshinowo, Oshinowo Studio

@biru_architects www.studiobiru.co.za Photography by Dave Southwood 70

AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE MMXXVI

JVR ARCHITECTS & INTERIORS for House of Screened Light

Dunkeld, Johannesburg

“A project of exceptional conceptual clarity, with a remarkable mastery of scale and a beautifully considered materiality.”

- Miguel Saraiva, Saraiva + Associados @jvrarchitects www.jvrarchitects.co.za Photography by Greg Cox

BLOC ARCHITECTS

for Forest House Sheffield Beach, KwaZulu-Natal

“I appreciate the way the design opens out onto the private part of the plot, blending in with and making the most of the topography. It emphasises a strong visual connection between interior and exterior, with nature ever-present.”

- Rodolfo Reis (VOLUME) (ARCHITECTURE LISBON STUDIO)

@blocarchitects www.bloc.archi Photography by Roger Jardine

AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE MMXXVI

W DESIGN ARCHITECTURE STUDIO for The Wild Life Olifantsfontein, Gauteng

“I truly enjoyed seeing the initial sketches, especially because they remain so clearly connected to the finished architectural proposal. To me, this speaks to a strong concept from the very first drawing, and to a genuine commitment to the design process and the care the architect has for the work.” - Daniel Villanueva, V Taller

@wdesign_architecture_studio www.wdas.co.za Images courtesy of W Design Architecture Studio 72

AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE MMXXVI

Gansbaai, Western Cape

DARRYL CROOME ARCHITECTS for Romansbaai

@darrylcroomearchitects www.dcarch.co.za Photography by Peter Atterbury

“The project demonstrates a thoughtful and carefully calibrated response to an exceptional landscape. Rather than imposing a single object on the site, the programme is distributed across a series of pavilions that follow the natural topography, allowing the architecture to settle quietly into the terrain.” - Victor Della Vecchia, VDVA

AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE MMXXVI

NEWMAN for Heerenhuijs

Hermanus, Western Cape

“This is a carefully considered and wellexecuted project that demonstrates a genuine respect for place. Its measured architectural language, sensitivity to context, and thoughtful material palette make it a memorable and refreshing contribution to this category.” - Priya Rose, Workers of Art @newman_architecture_design www.newmanarchitects.co.za Photography by Greg Cox 74

AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE MMXXVI

GASS ARCHITECTURE STUDIOS for House Brink

“This project allows architecture to dissolve into the forest, responding with sensitivity to the site’s climate, topography, and vegetation. Built form and landscape become inseparable, making nature not merely the setting of the house, but its primary architectural experience.” - Benedetta Tagliabue, EMBT Architects

Klein Brak River, Western Cape

@gass_architecture_studios www.gass.co.za Photograpy by Louis van Zyl 75

Photography by Emma Gatland

RESIDENTIAL REFURB OF THE YEAR An ode to reinvention: the quiet alchemy of unpicking what came before and layering it with what comes next. Here, memory is not preserved in amber but brought back into conversation with modernity. Restraint, technical precision, and considered intervention reveal the extraordinary potential already waiting within the walls.

AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE MMXXVI

KATE OTTEN ARCHITECTS for House M

Forest Town, Johannesburg Formerly known as House Cohen, house M was designed in 1985 by Pancho Guedes, making this an important modernist heritage home in Johannesburg’s northern suburbs. Having studied under Guedes, Kate found resonance with his work - the link to art, a hand-made quality, curvilinear forms, raw materials — making the restoration a joy that required both the liberty and confidence to change things, a sensitivity to judiciously add new pieces and care to lovingly restore existing elements.

@kateottenarchitects www.kateottenarchitects.com Photography by David Ross

STUDIO ALEXANDER for THORNYBUSH Thornybush Private Game Reserve, Greater Kruger Built using the platforms of a partially-demolished former lodge, this minimalist, contemporary holiday home in the Thornybush Private Game Reserve comprises six free-standing pavilions arranged in a sweeping arc, each carefully positioned to overlook a natural waterhole. It is conceived as a ‘deconstructed house’ rather than building a single large architectural form. This way, a series of landscape ‘corridors’ could be opened between the structures, allowing animals to move freely throughout the site. @jackalexander.za www.jackalexanderstudio.com Photography by Emma Gatland

AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE MMXXVI

BIRU ARCHITECTS for Casa Santiago St. James, Cape Town Initially, Casa Santiago was a layered composition of split levels, unexpected spatial relationships, and accumulated additions. Rather than correcting these irregularities or replacing them with a contemporary architectural language, the project sought to reveal and strengthen what was already latent within the building. Casa Santiago is ultimately an exercise in careful interpretation — finding architectural value in an unlikely place and revealing the richness already embedded within an existing building.

@biru_architects www.studiobiru.co.za Photography by Henrique Wilding

AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE MMXXVI

SHIRLEY WAYNE ARCHITECT for House Blackwood Hout Bay, Cape Town Embracing a loft-inspired spatial language, House Blackwood's generous double-volume interior is centred around an open-plan living space. The architecture recedes into the forest through a restrained palette of authentic natural materials. Dark timber cladding, exposed concrete, stone, African hardwood, brass detailing and steel-lined box windows establish a refined materiality that ages gracefully while reinforcing the home’s connection to its landscape. @shirleywaynearchitect www.swarchitect.co.za Image courtesy of Shirley Wayne Architect

IVAN MCCARTHY ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN

for House Neill

Oranjezicht, Cape Town House Neill is a thoughtful reinvention of an existing residence. Custom-designed joinery defines each space, from the welcoming entrance and refined kitchen to the bespoke walk-in wardrobe of the primary suite, ensuring every element is purposeful and beautifully resolved. A sculptural staircase and carefully detailed front door become architectural focal points, while the pool and generous outdoor deck dissolve the boundary between inside and out. @ivanmccarthy_ad www.ivanmccarthy.com Photography by Sean Gibson

AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE MMXXVI

SHIRLEY WAYNE ARCHITECT for House Summerwind Llandudno, Cape Town A respectful yet bold revival of a 1970s organic Mediterranean home into a mid-century modern sculptural abode, House Summerwind is reimagined for contemporary living while preserving its soul. Low, lyrical, and earthbound: its materials, contours and scale whisper into the landscape, so the building reads as an extension of stone and scrub when seen from shore. It stands as a timeless presence above the granite rocks of Llandudno. @shirleywaynearchitect www.swarchitect.co.za Photography by Sean Gibson

KEVIN FELLINGHAM ARCHITECTS for Kwaaiwater Hermanus, Western Cape The original house, built in 1991 by Gawie Fagan, didn’t need to be demolished, and didn’t need to be treated as sacrosanct. This project, influenced by Fagan’s sensitive boldness, engages Kwaaiwater's heritage in a way that respects his approach. @kevinfellinghamarchitects www.kfellingham.com Image courtesy of Kevin Fellingham Architects

AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE MMXXVI

BŌNE STUDIO for House A

Stellenbosch, Western Cape If Axel Verwoord and Rosie Uniacke had a love child, this house was to be it. Stripping this house of its French country makeup, the studio practiced design restraint. It was design by omission, not addition. The design took 12 weeks to perfect, with around 30 iterations of drawing refinements, which measured the clients’ exact perfume and serum bottle sizes. Every furniture piece designed bespoke for this home brings material refinement with a curated luxury yet warmly lived-in feel. @bonedesignstudio www.bonestudio.co.za Image courtesy of Bōne Studio

AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE MMXXVI

BRUCE WILSON ARCHITECTS for Venice House

Cape Town CBD Originally designed in 1926 in the Italianate Cape Revival Style, this six-storey architectural landmark has long anchored the pedestrian route toward Green Market Square. Tasked with transforming this Grade IIIA-listed heritage building into a modern residential space, the project was required to breathe new life into an ageing commercial structure and adapt it without erasing its storied past. The renovation retains the building’s original early 20th-century splendour where handwrought detail and proportion carried immense weight. @bruce.wilson.architects www.bwilson.co.za Photography by Karen Haacke

LOREDANA MORTON INTERIORS for Pearl Valley Vector Paarl, Western Cape The clients’ international lifestyle required something more personal and distinctive than a typical luxury estate interior. The final design draws nature inward through light, water, materiality, and reflection, creating a calm, layered home that feels globally refined yet locally rooted. Living spaces open towards the Pearl Valley golf course, while an internal courtyard forms a protected landscaped heart. @loredanamorton_interiors www.loredanamortoninteriors.com Photography by Paris Brummer

AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE MMXXVI

NEWMAN

@newman_architecture_design www.newmanarchitects.co.za Photography by Elsa Young

for Glen

Gardens, Cape Town Designed in 1924 by Ernst Seeliger, Glen was remarkably intact both inside and out, retaining its original teak joinery, leaded windows, Broseley-tiled roof, fireplaces, ironmongery, and even the brass escutcheon plates engraved with the first owner's monogram. Throughout the project, interventions to the original building were deliberately restrained. Historic materials and fittings were carefully restored and reused, Broseley roof tiles were salvaged and relaid, and all new work was designed to respect the proportions, geometry, and hierarchy of the original architecture.

SF25 Frameless Glass Stacking System

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AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE MMXXVI

RESIDENTIAL INTERIOR THE YEAR A home is more than the sum of its rooms. It is an atmosphere shaped through proportion, palette, material, light, and the rhythms of everyday life. These interiors possess a strong sense of authorship, where clarity and conviction combine with a deep sensitivity to how people live, retreat, and belong.

Photography by Paris Brummer AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE MMXXVI

AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE MMXXVI

BŌNE STUDIO

for House A

Stellenbosch, Western Cape House A is a home tailored and tethered to its owner. With the client giving freedom on the vision, the brief was to create a soulful space – gallery-esque in its artistic impression, yet oozing warmth in tonality, texture and lighting. @bonedesignstudio www.bonestudio.co.za Image courtesy of Bōne Studio 88

AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE MMXXVI

MR. AND OPEN CITY ARCHITECTS for Timber House

Noordhoek, Cape Town The vision for the interiors was to create spaces that whisper rather than announce themselves – rooms that soften the pace of daily life, allowing the architecture to reflect the emotional character of its inhabitants. Calm became the defining luxury.

@instabymr www.bymr.co.za @open_city_architects www.opencity.co.za Photography by Paris Brummer

HENDRE BLOEM for PATH

Prince Albert, Western Cape A restrained palette of muted furnishings allows the rich ochre walls to become the focal point, creating a sophisticated interplay of texture, warmth, and contrast. Like the indigenous succulents and aloes that thrive in the arid terrain, PATH celebrates resilience and life. It responds to its climate and context through passive design strategies, material honesty, and a carefully considered spatial experience. @hendrebloeminteriordesign www.hendrebloem.com Photography by Paris Brummer

AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE MMXXVI

STUDIO BHD for Coach House Claremont, Cape Town Significant emphasis was placed on improving the quality and flexibility of shared living spaces. The openplan kitchen, dining, and lounge areas were refined through bespoke joinery, carefully considered furniture placement, upgraded lighting, and integrated storage solutions, allowing the home to better support both entertaining and daily family rituals. @studio_bhd www.bhd.design Photography by Paris Brummer

LISA RORICH ARCHITECTS for Seaton Beach House

Sheffield Beach, KwaZulu-Natal This distinctive residence reinterprets the traditional courtyard house through the lens of Cuban hacienda architecture, complemented by subtle contemporary Mediterranean influences. Its spatial layering and rich materiality create a home that is grounded in its natural context while remaining open to the surrounding coastal environment.

@lisa_rorich_architects_ www.lisaroricharchitects.co.za Photography by Elsa Young 90

AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE MMXXVI

MARLON JAMES INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE for Mura

Barrydale, Western Cape Inspired by old-world architecture, monastic spaces, and vernacular craftsmanship, the interiors reference the simplicity and permanence of the past. These influences were distilled to their essential forms and reimagined through a contemporary minimalist lens. The result is a home that feels both familiar and quietly unexpected, balancing heritage with modernity while remaining deeply connected to its surroundings. @_marlon_james www.marlonjames.co Photography by Elsa Young

LA GRANGE INTERIORS for Art of Living

Cape Winelands, Western Cape Each space was designed with intention, balancing comfort and functionality with a strong sense of personality. Layered with texture and warmth, the interiors encourage connection and togetherness, while allowing space for quieter moments of retreat as family life evolves. @lagrangeinteriors www.lagrangeinteriors.co.za Photography by Elsa Young 91

AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE MMXXVI

NEWMAN for Bungalow

Clifton, Cape Town A coastal retreat that reinterprets the tropical charm of island living through an African lens, with craftsmanship at its foundation. Nearly every piece was custom made by Newman with local artisans, combining traditional techniques with a contemporary language. Handwoven cane furniture, bespoke oak joinery, carved detailing, handcrafted lighting and custom upholstery celebrate South African craftsmanship throughout the home. @newman_architecture_design www.newmanarchitects.co.za Photography by Rebecca Ann

OKHA for Steenberg

Tokai, Cape Town Set withing the established landscape of Steenberg Estate, the home interprets the soul of the Karoo into a contemporary Cape vernacular through material honesty rather than themed décor, with natural oak, terracotta, and bespoke handmade tiles shaping a warm, tactile interior. @_okha www.okha.com Image courtesy of OKHA

AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE MMXXVI

Image courtesy of Boss Architects

AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE MMXXVI

UNBUILT PROJECT THE YEAR - ARCHITECTURE -

Before brick and mortar rise from ground to sky, architecture begins as conviction — an idea, intuition, or vision. These briefs, designs, and renders encapsulate the innovation and imagination that will change our cities, towns, and futures. This award honours architectural projects, conceived but not yet fully realised on the ground, with the promise of creating new ways of living, learning, gathering, and resting.

AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE MMXXVI

BOSS ARCHITECTS for LAKESIDE

Worcester, Western Cape Located within a rural landscape, the design draws inspiration from the timeless agricultural buildings that have shaped the region for generations. Rather than replicating these forms, the project reinterprets them through a contemporary architectural lens, creating a residence that respects its agricultural context while delivering a refined, modern living experience. @boss_architects_ www.bossarchitects.com Image courtesy of Boss Architects

KONSEP ARCHITECTURE STUDIO for Kalander Forest School Knysna, Western Cape The school’s layout is governed by the anatomy of a yellowwood leaf, where individual leaflets are held along a shared stem. In architectural terms, this translates into a shared circulation spine acting as the ‘stem’, with smaller programme clusters — pre-primary, primary, high school, culture, and sport — branching off as distinct ‘leaflets’. @konsep.architecture.studio www.konsep.studio Image courtesy of KONSEP Architecture Studio

AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE MMXXVI

MIMO ARCHITECTS for InsideOut 01: Patios Johannesburg, Gauteng Patios is designed from the inside out: it begins with the realities of how a family lives, rather than with a façade or standard developer unit. How people move through the day, gather and entertain, work from home, and let children play; and how light and cross-ventilation reach each room. These considerations ultimately shape the plan.

@_mimo_architects www.mimoarchitects.co.za Image courtesy of MiMo Architects

AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE MMXXVI

SAOTA for 9Miles

@_saota www.saota.com

Image courtesy of SAOTA

Strandfontein, Cape Town Positioned as a combined learning facility and community hub, the project demonstrates how architecture can shape local opportunity. Through controlled form, spatial integration, and environmental responsiveness, the 9Miles Learning centre establishes a resilient framework for education, mentorship, and long-term social impact.

AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE MMXXVI

BOOGERTMAN + PARTNERS for God’s Window Skywalk Mpumalanga, South Africa The architecture of God’s Window Skywalk ‘lifts the landscape’ and ‘tucks in’ the building’s mass beneath a gently curved green roof that rises from the ground plane at one end of the site and touches down at the far edge, so that it reads as topography. The skywalk’s faceted geometry is an abstracted interpretation of a praying mantis — a bearer of good fortune in local mythology — giving architectural expression to local cultural meaning.

@boogertmanandpartners www.boogertmanandpartners.com Image courtesy of Boogertman + Partners

VERB ARCHITECTURE for APERTURE

Klein Karoo, Western Cape Through its orientation, materiality, apertures, and spatial sequences, the architecture becomes a mediator between human presence and the vast cycles that govern the region: celestial motion, climatic flux, seasonal change, and the enduring geology beneath. Here, architecture becomes less about shelter and more about awareness: a contemplative threshold between the self and the sublime.

@verb_architecture_sa Image courtesy of Verb Architecture

AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE MMXXVI

ATMOS ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN for SAHETI Sports & Study Centres

Bedfordview, Johannesburg The design of the Sports & Study Centres respects SAHETI’s existing materiality and architectural character, then translates it through a contemporary lens. Pythagorean principles inform the spatial arrangement and proportions of the building, creating a subtle link to SAHETI’s Hellenic heritage and school crest. @atmos.architecture.design www.atmosadd.com Image courtesy of Atmos Architecture and Design

HUBO STUDIO for Penreach

Mbombela, Mpumalanga The building opens both outwards and inwards, blending built form and nature to encourage creativity beyond the walls of any single room. Outdoor creative spaces, open-air classrooms and courtyards are woven throughout the site, extending opportunities for learning, gathering, and creative exchange into the landscape. @hubostudio www.hubostudio.com Image courtesy of Hubo Studio

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THREE SIXTY DESIGN for IL PELLICANO

Image courtesy of Three Sixty Design

@anette360design

Yzerfontein, Western Cape A quiet nod to the iconic Hotel Il Pellicano in Porto Ercole on the Italian coast, the design response for Pellicano is a bold, sculptural and unmistakably contemporary piece of residential architecture, deeply connected to its landscape. It is the culmination of twenty-two years of living, travelling, raising a family, collecting and returning to a place that has profoundly shaped the family’s lives.

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UNBUILT PROJECT THE YEAR - INTERIORS -

Through imagination, insight, and a pursuit of originality, the brightest designers conceive spaces that will uplift our lives in the future. Beyond the threshold of the realised lie interior projects that have been commissioned but are yet to be realised, promising to bring light, atmosphere, and inspiration to the lives of the people who will move through them.

Image courtesy of Three Sixty Design AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE MMXXVI

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FYGG STUDIO for THE HEARTH Pretoria, Gauteng Historically, the hearth was the heart of the home: a place of gathering, storytelling, and connection. The contemporary hearth reinterprets this idea through a central outdoor living space that anchors the home and informs the interior experience. The design strengthens the relationship between family, nature, and daily ritual, creating a home that feels both deeply personal and enduring.

@fyggstudio www.fyggstudio.co Image courtesy of Fygg Studio

STUDIOLANDT for KAROO

Klein Karoo, Western Cape ‘Karoo’ is conceived as an immersive escape from contemporary life. Embracing the stillness, scale, and raw beauty of its surroundings, it offers an experience inseparable from its setting. Designed around ritual, the project is conceived as a sequence of experiences. These rituals establish a slower rhythm of living, encouraging guests to reconnect with themselves and the surrounding landscape. @studiolandt_ www.studiolandt.com Image courtesy of StudioLandt

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PROPORTION for NANDONI

Vhembe District, Limpopo Province Set on the banks of Nandoni Dam, this destination restaurant transforms Venda heritage into a refined contemporary experience. Inspired by the traditional iron furnace, the design expresses strength, craft and transformation through dark metals, textured plaster, warm timbers and ember-like lighting. More than a place to dine, Nandoni is a cultural journey shaped by memory, material, and place itself.

@proportion_official www.proportion.co.za Image courtesy of Proportion

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THREE SIXTY DESIGN for IL PELLICANO Yzerfontein, Western Cape Il Pellicano is the product of experience. It has little to do with furniture. It's about the atmosphere. The interiors are a conversation between old and new, between pieces the client has had for years and carefully selected contemporary design. It doesn’t feel like a beach house that’s been furnished — it feels like a life that’s found its home.

@anette360design www.360design.co.za Image courtesy of Three Sixty Design 106

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ATELIER GIORGIO for Kilala

Pretoria, Gauteng The project is a conversation between two shores of the same sun. Kilala speaks Mediterranean and African in a single breath: the arch, the olive tree, and the ritual of the long table on one side, and on the other, the raw earth palette, the sculptural craft, and the sunset light of the Highveld. Africa is the host here, and the Mediterranean its guest.

@ateliergiorgio.design www.ateliergiorgio.design Image courtesy of Atelier Giorgio

STUDIO CRONJE for THANDA

Hluhluwe, Kwazulu-Natal An eight-metre sculptural fireplace anchors the central living volume. Its custom hand-applied, undulating plaster finish creates a contemporary focal point shaped by local artistry. More than 450 bespoke woven seagrass panels form a continuous ceiling throughout the residence. Inspired by traditional African weaving, the handcrafted panels transform the space into a defining expression of craft, scale and contemporary African luxury. @studio.cronje www.studiocronje.com Image courtesy of Studio CRONJE

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SKETCH INTERIOR ARCHITECTS for Bree Street Restaurant Cape Town CBD The project invests directly in the local craft economy and gives the room a material honesty that cannot be bought off the shelf — irregular, handmade, particular to this address. Designed to feel as though it could only exist here, it’s a warm, crafted, deeply human room that gathers the hand of the maker and the story of the city into a single, considered whole. @sketchintarchs www.sketchstudio.co.za Image courtesy of Sketch Interior Architects

STUDIO19

for HOUSE SOUTHERN CROSS

Constantia, Cape Town The design vision centred around creating an interior that feels refined, understated, and enduring. Rather than following fleeting trends, the objective was to craft a home that embraces classic architectural detailing while introducing carefully curated contemporary elements. Soft, muted tones form the foundation of the palette, allowing natural textures, bespoke joinery, decorative mouldings, luxurious wallpapers, and layered finishes to become the defining features of each space. Every material and finish was selected to contribute to a sense of quiet sophistication and effortless comfort. 108

@s.t.u.d.i.o.1.9 www.studio19.co Image courtesy of Studio19

Bold, unexpected and beautifully at home in the African bush. For Royal Malewane’s Tented Camp, we developed a stunning custom colour; Royal Canvas. A bespoke pink that brings confident contrast to the landscape’s natural tones and textures. What made this project so exciting was the willingness to embrace colour without reservation. Rather than allowing the architecture to quietly disappear into its surroundings, the design celebrates contrast, creating moments of surprise and delight. It is a wonderful example of what can happen when colour is used with courage, imagination, and a strong sense of place. We loved this project!

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Umdloti

Johannesburg

Cape Town

031 579 1900

011 656 0400

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9 Acaciafield Close Springfield Park

Shop 14, Marine Walk Salta Sibaya

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Image courtesy of Bōne Studio

AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE MMXXVI

INTERIOR DESIGN FIRM OF THE YEAR Some spaces speak in whispers — through atmosphere, rhythm, texture, and light. Behold, the practices whose work transforms the spaces within, where every gesture, material, and detail becomes part of a singular design language.

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THREE SIXTY DESIGN From blank canvas to a space that feels layered, harmonious, and wholly considered, Three Sixty Design delights in the quiet alchemy of design. Rooted in timeless principles and a confident classic-contemporary sensibility, every project by Three Sixty Design unfolds as a personal expression. @anette360design www.360design.co.za Photography by Inge Prins

ARRCC Rather than pursuing a singular aesthetic, ARRCC has shaped contemporary notions of luxury living through interiors that are deeply connected to place, culture, and lifestyle. @_arrcc www.arrcc.com Image courtesy of ARRCC

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BŌNE STUDIO Design with spine — Bōne Studio was born from a passion for rawness, transparency, and considered design principles. @bonedesignstudio www.bonestudio.co.za Image courtesy of Bōne Studio

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ATMOS Atmos is drawn to the moments that give interiors their meaning: the threshold between public and private, the scale of a ceiling, the weight of a stone counter, the softness of upholstery, the texture of a wall in natural light, the glow of a pendant, and the meeting point between timber, plaster, glass, and metal. @atmos.architecture.design www.atmosadd.com Image courtesy of Atmos

FOX BROWNE CREATIVE Fox Browne Creative has a simple vision: to create inspired spaces with gracious hospitality, leaving people more connected to the world than when they arrived. @foxbrowne_creative www.foxbrowne.com Photography by Dook Photography

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NEWMAN With a deep understanding of heritage buildings, Newman’s design approach draws inspiration from the South African vernacular. @newman_architecture_design www.newmanarchitects.co.za Photography by Greg Cox

STUDIO GOODD A Goodd interior is found in quality, authenticity and the way a space makes you feel. It is the quiet confidence of considered design, the comfort of intuitive living and the richness that comes from objects chosen for meaning. @studiogoodd www.studiogoodd.com Photography by Mark Williams

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STUDIOLANDT StudioLandt’s ambition is bold, yet purposeful: to be renowned for crafting soulful, sensorial spaces rooted in authenticity, creativity, and connection. @studiolandt_ www.studiolandt.com Photography by Inge Prins

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TRISTAN DU PLESSIS STUDIO Tristan du Plessis Studio creates spaces that respond authentically to their context, celebrate craftsmanship, and leave a lasting emotional impression. @tristanduplessis_studio www.tristanduplessis.com Photography by Natelee Cocks

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Delaire Graff Estate

REIMAGINING STONE FOR BEAUTIFUL SPACES 021 510 8553 | sales@cannata.co.za | www.cannatagranite.co.za

ARCHITECTURE FIRM THE YEAR - SMALL PRACTICE -

Great architecture is not measured by the size of the practice behind it, but by the clarity of its vision and the conviction with which that vision is realised. An honour bestowed upon a practice whose influence extends far beyond its scale. Each in possession of a distinct voice, whose work shows that a small studio can leave an indelible mark on the built environment.

AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE MMXXVI

KRAFT ARCHITECTS Lynwood, Pretoria

“Kraft Architects get the balance right: architecture with a strong identity that never overpowers its setting.” - Santiago Sierra, R A!

@ kraft_architects_ www.kraftarchitects.net Image courtesy of Kraft Architects 120

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BLOC ARCHITECTS Umhlanga, KwaZulu-Natal

“The elegance in their work is undeniable. Every element feels resolved, considered, and perfectly in place.” - Irene Luque, Norman Foster Institute

@blocarchitects www.bloc.archi Photography by Chris Allan

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BIRU ARCHITECTS Kenilworth, Cape Town

“This practice shows confidence in context, precision in materiality, and exceptionality in detail. Restrained, refined, and seriously compelling.” - Julie Schmidt-Nielsen, WE Architects

@biru_architects www.studiobiru.co.za Photography by Henrique Wilding

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NICHOLAS PLEWMAN ARCHITECTS + ASSOCIATES Stellenbosch, Western Cape

“This is a firm that knows how to take risks with material without losing sight of place. Their work is innovative, considered, and deeply attuned to the landscape.” - Peter Braithwaite, Peter Braithwaite Studio

@nicholasplewmanarchitects www.plewmanarchitects.co.za Photography by Stevie Mann

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LISA RORICH ARCHITECTS

Durban, KwaZulu-Natal “What stands out is the confidence that comes with experience: 23 years distilled into work that is thoughtful, skilled, and beautifully attuned to its context.” - Matt Goodman, MGAO

@lisa_rorich_architects www.lisaroricharchitects.co.za Photography by Elsa Young

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TERRA+ LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS

Woodstock, Cape Town

“They rethink what landscape can do: transforming public space through subtle moves that bring together ecology, memory, and community.” - Maria Alessandra Segantini, C+S Architects

@terra_plus www.terraplus.co.za Photography by Jon Erik Munro

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MALHERBE RUST ARCHITECTS Paarl, Western Cape

“I’ve rarely encountered work like this. The practice's sensitive reimagining of heritage structures is both deeply rooted and remarkably original.” - Matt Goodman, MGAO 126

@malherberustarchitects www.mrarch.co.za Photography by Chris Joubert

AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE MMXXVI

GSQUARED ARCHITECTS De Waterkant, Cape Town

“This firm stands out for the way it makes every space count, creating a rich, layered experience from interior to exterior.” @gsquared_architects www.qsquared.co.za Image courtesy of GSQUARED Architects

- Rodolfo Reis, (VOLUME) (ARCHITECTURE LISBON STUDIO)

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DARRYL CROOME ARCHITECTS De Waterkant, Cape Town

“There’s real intelligence behind the work. From master planning to interiors, they navigate complex briefs with clarity, efficiency, and a strong instinct for what makes a development work.” - Maria Alessandra Segantini, C+S Architects

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GLH ARCHITECTS Rosebank, Johannesburg

“Decades of experience have given GLH Architects remarkable range. From scale to typology, they continue to adapt, evolve, and deliver.” - Santiago Sierra, R A!

@glh_architects www.glh.co.za Image courtesy of GLH Architects

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GABRIËL FAGAN ARCHITECTS Cape Town CBD

“Their impact goes well beyond the buildings they create. A clear commitment to context, sustainability, and thoughtful design gives the work real staying power.” - Irene Luque, Norman Foster Institute

www.gabrielfaganarchitects.com @gabriel_fagan_architects Image courtesy of Gabriël Fagan Architects

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HUBO STUDIO Norwood, Johannesburg

“Thoughtful, sensitive, and deeply human, this work shows how architecture can enrich learning through an inventive interplay of material and light.” - Peter Braithwaite, Peter Braithwaite Studio

@hubostudio www.hubostudio.com Photography by Elsa Young

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DREW ARCHITECTS Parkwood, Johannesburg

“There’s real integrity to Drew Architects’ approach. They listen, collaborate, and design with purpose — creating architecture that delivers genuine value beyond the building itself.” -- Maria Alessandra Segantini, C+S Architects

@drewarchitects www.studiodrew.co.za Image courtesy of Drew Architects

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HOTEL AND RESORT THE YEAR There is an art to creating a sense of elsewhere: to shaping spaces that shift the pace, heighten the senses, and make time feel different. The most memorable places do more than offer escape; they create an atmosphere that stays with you long after you have left. 133

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LUXURY FRONTIERS for Baines' Lodge

Okovango Delta, Botswana Elevated above the water, Baines’ Lodge unfolds through a carefully choreographed sequence of spaces that gradually reveal the Delta upon arrival, while maintaining uninterrupted connections to the landscape throughout the day. This is an architecture conceived not as a monument, but as a temporary and respectful guest within one of Africa’s most fragile ecosystems. @luxury_frontiers www.luxury-frontiers.com Image courtesy of Luxury Frontiers

STUDIO ALEXANDER for Sediba Sa Rona Okovango Delta, Botswana The architecture traces the riverbank, strengthening connections between landscape and building through open decks, elevated walkways, shaded communal spaces, and a raised firepit. Designed with a light environmental footprint, Sediba Sa Rona creates an immersive safari experience rooted in the Delta’s ecology, history, and seasonal rhythms. @jackalexander.za www.jackalexanderstudio.com Photography by Verity Fitzgerald

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LISA RORICH ARCHITECTS for Laba Grumeti Art Lodge

Serengeti National Park, Tanzania Each space at Laba Grumeti Art Lodge relates to the vast landscape, the bush, or the art itself, creating focal points and moments of pause that enrich the guest journey. Its distinctiveness lies in a synthesis of local craft, with the guiding vision drawing inspiration from the materials, colours and textures of the artwork, sculptures and unique furniture pieces. @lisa_rorich_architects_ www.lisaroricharchitects.co.za Photography by Framethirtysix

ARRCC

for Kalahari Dunes Private Game Reserve Upington, Northern Cape Conceived as a holistic hospitality experience, Kalahari Dunes is located on land restored from agricultural use to wildlife habitat. The reserve is defined by vast horizons, shifting dunes and extreme climatic conditions. Rather than introducing a conventional luxury aesthetic, the design draws directly from the Kalahari itself, creating an experience that is deeply rooted in place. @_arrcc www.arrcc.com Image courtesy of ARRCC

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BLACK SABLE DESIGNS for Bisate Sanctuary

Musanze, Rwanda Envisioned as an intimate journey of connection to self, Bisate Sanctuary uses architecture to heighten the senses through light, shadow, sound, texture, and movement. Narrow, tunnel-like corridors create compression spaces with no outside views to distort time and space, while skylights and carefully framed views reconnect guests with the surrounding forest and Mount Bisoke. The architecture becomes an immersive experience, shifting the focus between interiority and exteriority as guests move through the Sanctuary. @blacksableza www.blacksable.co.za Photography by Flink Studio

BLACK SABLE DESIGNS for Mombo Sanctuary

Okavango Delta, Botswana Set within the Okavango Delta, Mombo Sanctuary’s curved walls and arches relate to the human form and natural surrounds, woven together to create layers of spaces experienced differently from each position. The entire building immerses itself in nature, with irregular, curved water features weaving in and out of the building and the structure seeming to ‘float’, aided by reflection and stilted structures. @blacksableza www.blacksable.co.za Image courtesy of Black Sable Designs

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STUDIOLANDT for Magugu Suite

Gardens, Cape Town Within the storied walls of Mount Nelson, the Magugu Suite emerges as a layered expression of African identity. Reinterpreting English grandeur through a distinctly African lens, every element of the interior is grounded in meticulous research and craft. Symbolic motifs and hand-detailed interventions respond to the heritage architecture, fostering a cross-cultural dialogue between English tradition and South African design. @studiolandt_ www.Studiolandt.com Photography by Inge Prins

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TRISTAN DU PLESSIS STUDIO for Morea House

Camps Bay, Cape Town Morea House introduces Marriott International’s first Autograph Collection property in Cape Town, creating a contemporary hospitality experience shaped by place, materiality, and South African identity. Autograph Collection celebrates individuality within a global hospitality framework, requiring every property to possess a character entirely its own — here, expressed through art, materiality, and a distinctly Cape Town sense of place. @tristanduplessis_studio www.tristanduplessis.com Photography by Natelee Cocks

MARIELOUISEKOEN INTERIORS for Villa Lion View Constantia, Cape Town Perched on the slopes of the Constantiaberg, Villa Lion View is a luxury boutique villa shaped by its mountainous setting. An original commissioned artwork became the conceptual foundation for the interiors, informing a restrained palette of timber, slate and natural stone, alongside bespoke furnishings and South African design. @marielouisekoen www.marielouisekoen.com Photography by Inge Prins

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COLLABORATION OF THE YEAR

Photography by Emma Jude Jackson

AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE MMXXVI

STUDIOLANDT

IN COLLABORATION WITH WEYLANDTS AND THE MILL

for Field Notes Born from the upliftment and upskilling of a local community, the collection transforms discarded material into something of lasting value. Swakara wool, reclaimed and woven by Namibian artisans, becomes the thread connecting material, texture, and lineage. The Mill contributes generations of weaving expertise, Weylandts provides a platform for South African craftsmanship, while StudioLandt transforms local knowledge and skill into a contemporary collection rooted in place and driven by purpose. @studiolandt_ www.studiolandt.com @weylandtshome www.weylandts.co.za Photography by Emma Jude Jackson

STUDIO. JANA + KOOS

IN COLLABORATION WITH JAN AND SOURCE IBA

for Le Bistrot de JAN V&A Waterfront, Cape Town Le Bistrot de JAN Cape Town is inspired by sailor tattoos and tales of adventure. A series of hand-painted characters and moments appear throughout the interior, offering playful surprises along the guest journey. Nautical, naughty, and all things nice, the design creates a cheeky homage to beloved French bistro culture, reimagined through the spirit of the Mother City. @janaandkoos www.janaandkoos.studio @janhendrikvanderwesthuizen www.janonline.com/jan @sourceiba www.sourceiba.co.za Image courtesy of STUDIO. Jana + Koos 140

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CURACIÓN COLLECTION

IN COLLABORATION WITH UNI FORM

for Silhouettes in Dialogue

The collaboration explores the intersection of fashion and furniture, reimagining signature garments as sculptural expressions for the home. The collection captures the emotional language of clothing through considered textures, layered materials, and thoughtful craftsmanship. The armchair and ottoman reinterpret familiar silhouettes while embracing the stillness of furniture, creating tactile, timeless pieces that quietly tell the stories of those who live with them. @curacion_collection @uniformza www.curacion-collection.co.za www.uniformza.com Photography by Aart Verrips

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STUDIOLANDT

IN COLLABORATION WITH THEBE MAGUGU AND MOUNT NELSON, A BELMOND HOTEL

for Magugu Suite

Gardens, Cape Town Unfolding as an Afro-modernist narrative within Mount Nelson’s historic architecture, The Magugu Suite engages the hotel’s British heritage through a distinctly South African lens. In close collaboration with Thebe Magugu, sculptural forms, intricate patterns, saturated tones, and symbolic motifs extend his storytelling beyond fashion. Harvest tones, peat-green terrazzo, custom carpets, and hand-sketched wallpapers create depth and cultural dialogue, while meticulous research and craftsmanship ensure the suite feels both grounded in history and unapologetically contemporary. @studiolandt_ www.studiolandt.com @thebemagugu www.thebemagugu.com @belmondmountnelsonhotel Photography by Inge Prins

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DHK INTERIOR DESIGN

IN COLLABORATION WITH ROCKWELL GROUP

for Nobu V&A Waterfront, Cape Town dhk Interior Design, Rockwell Group, and a network of South African artists, artisans, and makers combined international design expertise with Cape Town craftsmanship to create a distinctly local interpretation of the Nobu brand. Bespoke artworks, liquid metal, hand-dyed wool, leather, hemp, timber veneers, and brass detailing become integral to the interior, creating a restaurant that is authentically Nobu while deeply rooted in its South African setting. @dhkarchitects www.dhk.co.za @rockwellgroup www.rockwellgroup.com Image courtesy of One&Only Cape Town

OPEN CITY ARCHITECTS

IN COLLABORATION WITH ETIENNE HANEKOM INTERIORS AND DDS PROJECTS

for Soetmelksvlei Franschhoek, Western Cape Soetmelksvlei reimagines a historic Cape farm as a Living Museum Precinct, where history is experienced rather than preserved as a static artefact. Architecture, interiors, and landscape were developed as one integrated process, informed by four years of research, planning, and craftsmanship. Significant buildings were restored, new interventions quietly introduced, and the landscape revived through water systems, productive gardens, and endangered Renosterveld Fynbos. @open_city_architects www.opencity.co.za @etiennehanekominteriors www.etiennehanekom.com

@ddsprojects www.ddsprojects.co.za Photography by Dook Photography

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OPEN CITY ARCHITECTS

IN COLLABORATION WITH MR. AND CARRIE LATIMER LANDSCAPE DESIGN

for Timber House Noordhoek, Cape Town Architecture, interiors, and landscape are conceived as one immersive experience in Timber House. A clear 4.5-metre structural grid gives rhythm to the exposed SA Pine frame, while robust masonry anchors the home to its site. Natural materials, shifting tones, and tactile finishes create a sense of calm and permanence. The residence demonstrates that the richest design emerges when disciplines are not coordinated but genuinely co-authored. @open_city_architects www.opencity.co.za @instabymr www.bymr.co.za @carrielatimergardens www.carrielatimer.co.za Photography by Paris Brummer

ARRCC

IN COLLABORATION WITH OKHA AND ONE TO ONE BY MARTIN DÖLLER

for Kalahari Dunes Private Game Reserve Upington, Northern Cape Emerging from a shared design language between the collaborators, Kalahari Dunes is rooted in the extreme desert landscape. After studying hundreds of dunes, the team selected one to anchor the development, with a deliberate incision through the dune becoming the project’s central idea. Architecture, interiors, furniture, and lighting evolved together, creating a seamless response to place. OKHA’s bespoke furniture and Döller’s striking lighting installation reinforce the spatial narrative, allowing the collaboration to extend beyond traditional disciplinary boundaries. @_arrc www.arrcc.com @__okha www.okha.com 144

@onetoonebymartindoller www.1-to-1.world Image courtesy of ARRCC

AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE MMXXVI

BLOK

IN COLLABORATION WITH DHK ARCHITECTS

for ONEHUNDREDONM

Sea Point, Cape Town ONEHUNDREDONM demonstrates how adaptive reuse and contemporary design can transform a fragmented piece of Sea Point into a more vibrant urban condition. Designed by dhk Architects in collaboration with Blok, the project reimagines an iconic Victorian-era building through a contemporary insertion, improving spatial integration and pedestrian permeability. The design allows both heritage and development to coexist — grounded in history, memory, and place, while introducing lightness, clarity, and new life. @blokliving www.blok.co.za @dhkarchitects www.dhk.co.za Photography by Sean Gibson

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Photography by Natelee Cocks AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE MMXXVI

RESTAURANT ND BAR THE YEAR Senses converge to complement one another. The most inspiring dining experiences emerge when palate and palette exist in harmony, when material, spatial flow, and meticulous detail orchestrate a seamless, immersive experience. This award honours projects where aesthetic discernment helps reinvent what it means to share a meal or raise a glass.

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ION HOLDINGS for Smeul

Paarl, Western Cape The design is rooted in the meaning of its name: a slow-burning ember that continues to glow long after the flame has settled. This became both the culinary philosophy and guiding design principle bringing together local Paarl craftsmanship, hand-painted murals, and an open-fire kitchen. Warm, layered interiors celebrate the elemental nature of fire through honest materials, handcrafted finishes, and carefully restored heritage features. www.ion-holdings.com Image courtesy of Ion Holdings

MR.

for Arum

Franschhoek, Western Cape Arum reimagines the farm restaurant as a spatial journey reconnecting dining with the origins of food. Its interior is shaped by three enduring elements of agricultural life: mineral, vegetable, and animal. These become the conceptual DNA of a sequence of immersive dining environments. Stone, bronze, and mohair evoke terroir and geology; vegetable-dyed textiles and a sculptural cabbage-inspired fireplace explore growth; while leather and bone-like forms reference craft, preservation, food, and fire. @instabymr www.bymr.co.za Photography by Inge Prins

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TRISTAN DU PLESSIS STUDIO

Gardens, Cape Town Amura's design finds its inspiration beneath the surface of the ocean, within the kelp forests where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet. Cádiz and the Cape became two coastlines connected by salt, tide, and centuries of seafaring exchange. The interiors are dark and layered, creating the sensation of being beneath the ocean’s surface. Sculptural curves, polished timber, burnished bronze, and finely detailed joinery reference the golden age of ocean liners.

for Amura

@tristanduplessis_studio www.tristanduplessis.com Photography by Natelee Cocks 149

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TMD STUDIOS for 9th Avenue Marina

Durban Waterfront Marina Guests move through an evolving timeline of compression and expansion, entering an intimate, cocoon-like space before it gradually unfolds to frame expansive views of the harbour. The materiality favours symbolic abstraction, drawing from local African communities’ use of natural earth clays. Custom clay vessels, handcrafted by local artisans, reference Durban’s beadwork traditions, ensuring that the micro-details carry a profound sense of place. @tmd_studio_za www.tmdstudios.co.za Image courtesy of TMD Studios

TRISTAN DU PLESSIS STUDIO

for The Room

Umdloti, KwaZulu-Natal The site offered no natural light and little worth preserving: essentially a concrete box. The Room's design embraces the buried setting, drawing on 1970s recording studios at the height of their cultural excess. Muted teal gloss, burlwood, walnut, patterned carpeting, and deep-toned velvet create a tactile, retro-futurist interior. Sculptural ceilings, low amber lighting, and directional illumination allow the underground restaurant to create its own sense of time. @tristanduplessis_studio www.tristanduplessis.com Photography by Natelee Cocks

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SKETCH INTERIOR ARCHITECTS

for Nine Lives Rosebank, Johannesburg

Nine Lives began as an overlooked service level that was never meant to be occupied: a raw plant and servicing zone hidden within the building. It is transformed into an intimate, afterdark supper club, discovered rather than announced. A deep, shadowed palette, black leather, polished surfaces, and warm pools of light create a theatrical atmosphere. A hand-painted mural of jewelled, crowned cats runs the length of the dining room, while a sculptural curved bar anchors the space. @sketchintarchs www.sketchstudio.co.za Image courtesy of Sketch Interior Architects

HOURS CLEAR ARCHITECTS for Tambourine

District Six, Cape Town Tambourine treats original fabric and painted culture as equal layers of the building’s heritage, with new work forming a legible third layer. The building becomes an armature designed to receive the work of others: Marti Macfly’s mural, Ralph Borland’s ceiling sculpture, Greg Marshall’s fittings, and furniture collected by Tobias Alter. The result is eclectic, layered, and made by many hands. @hoursclear www.hoursclear.com Image courtesy of Hours Clear Architects 151

Image courtesy of SAOTA AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE MMXXVI

INTERNATIONAL BUILD BY A SOUTH AFRICAN PRACTICE

United by an unmistakable ambition, these buildings, conceived in South African studios, shape global skylines and groundscapes.

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ARRCC for Falcon 7X

Falcon 7X represents ARRCC's first venture into private aviation. More than an aircraft refurbishment, the project explores how the comforts, character, and emotional qualities of home could be reinterpreted within the spatial and regulatory constraints of a private jet. ARRCC sought to create a sophisticated living environment that would feel as natural and familiar as the client's residence. The project demanded a delicate balance between luxury and technical precision, with strict aviation weight restrictions influencing every aspect of the design. @_arrcc www.arrcc.com Image courtesy of ARRCC

BLACK SABLE DESIGNS for Bisate Sanctuary

Musanze, Rwanda Envisioned as remote refuge, guests can relax and connect with themselves and others in between the arduous trek of experiencing the endangered mountain gorillas. Being in the moment is a rare commodity; Bisate Sanctuary encourages guests to rediscover their present and embrace being by foregrounding a connection with nature, the exterior, and others. Each space highlights views of Mount Bisoke and the surrounding vegetation of the Volcanoes National Park. @blacksableza www.blacksable.co.za Photography by Flink Studio

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EXPERIENCE ARCHITECTS for Bupenyu Lodge Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe Set on the edge of the Batoka Gorge, Bupenyu Lodge draws its conceptual strength from the primal human desire to traverse great divides. This dramatic chasm, carved by the Zambezi River, is a liminal space between Zambia and Zimbabwe. The lodge takes inspiration from this symbolic crossing. Lightweight, cantilevered structures project out toward the void, appearing to hover above the basalt cliffs with their engineered precision, contrasting and complementing the raw power of the gorge. @exparchitects www.exparch.co Image courtesy of Experience Architects

NICHOLAS PLEWMAN ARCHITECTS + ASSOCIATES for Bisate Reserve

Musanze, Rwanda Bisate Reserve is located in one of Africa’s most significant conservation landscapes. This intimate luxury retreat provides privileged access to one of the world’s most extraordinary wildlife experiences: mountain gorilla trekking. Its design concept draws inspiration from the iconic domed structures of the historic King’s Palace at Nyanza and the rolling volcanic landscape of the Virunga Mountains. The architecture creates a collection of sculptural, nest-like structures that appear to emerge naturally from the forested hillside. @nicholasplewmanarchitects www.plewmanarchitects.co.za Photography by Felix Rome 155

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SAOTA for Amivana

Bali, Indonesia Situated on the slopes of the Ayung River Valley in Ubud, Bali, Amivana is a contemporary interpretation of Balinese architectural principles, responding directly to the site’s topography, climate, and cultural context. The residence is organised as a series of interconnected pavilions distributed across the steep site. Materiality draws from local resources and construction traditions with dark lava stone, ironwood, and timber detailing referencing Bali’s rich cultural heritage.

@_saota www.saota.com Image courtesy of SAOTA

STEWART & PARTNERS for El Lago Club Benahavís, Spain Where a 35,000 m² lake meets the edge of the Sierra de las Nieves UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, the El Lago Club del Real de la Quinta was conceived as an act of deference to landscape. A single curved canopy traces the lakeshore and the rhythm of the hills beyond. Peridotite quarried from the Sierra Bermeja anchors the building to its place while a continuous planted roof allows visitors to pass over the architecture as they would any other part of the landscape. @stewartandpartners www.stewartpartners.studio Image courtesy of La Quinta Grupo Inmobiliario

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MIGS + DREW WITH DREW ARCHITECTS for Desert Rhino Camp

Damaraland, Namibia The project began as a tarpaulin stretched between the trees: shelter for early explorers tracking and researching the desert-adapted black rhino. The original site was chosen for its cluster of large trees, and the new design makes them the primary spatial drivers. The landscape inspired the form and material palette with loose stone gathered to construct grounding walls contrasted with lightweight timber-framed structures wrapped in canvas. Roofs are formed with stretch fabric over masts and outriggers echo the camp’s origins. @drewarchitects www.studiodrew.co.za Photography by Felix Studios

LISA RORICH ARCHITECTS for Laba Grumeti Art Lodge Serengeti National Park, Tanzania Grumeti Art Lodge is deliberately positioned as a living gallery within the landscape, with African art embedded as a core architectural principle rather than applied as decoration. Sculpture, lighting, and functional artworks by Tanzanian and South African artists are integral to the spatial experience. Furniture is either bespoke or sourced from African designers, while hand-carved timber doors, blackened steel handles, and sculptural light fittings become tactile encounters that carry meaning and invite attention. @lisa_rorich_architects_ www.lisaroricharchitects.co.za Photography by Framethirtysix

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LUXURY FRONTIERS for The Treetop Tents of Nekajui Guanacaste, Costa Rica Surrounded by tropical dry forest, the treetop tents unfold high within the canopy, where filtered light, ocean breezes, and distant views of the Pacific define the experience. Elevated above the forest floor, each structure follows the site’s natural contours, minimising ground disturbance and allowing the landscape and wildlife to move uninterrupted beneath and around the accommodation. @luxury_frontiers www.luxury-frontiers.com Image courtesy of Luxury Frontiers

SAOTA for DDS

São Paulo, Brazil Set within the rolling hills of Fazenda Boa Vista, DDS explores the dialogue between South African and Brazilian Modernism. Influenced by the São Paulo School of Brutalism, the house adopts a bold architectural language of sculptural reinforced concrete. Its defining gesture is a monumental concrete bridge spanning the living spaces below, functioning as roof, enclosure, and sculptural object, while passive design principles strengthen the home’s connection to the landscape.

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@_saota www.saota.com Image courtesy of SAOTA

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KAA ARCHITECTS

for House Kairav Kunj Naivasha, Kenya

The house opens generously towards the bush and Aberdare Mountain Range. Its geometric composition, marked by fragmented prisms, allows it to expand and retract, creating spaces that breathe with both openness and solitude. Thick stone walls gradually reveal the beauty of the interior. Narrow, compressed access points lead to expansive openings. Fragmented volumes extend from the garden, drawing natural light deep into the house and creating ever-changing patterns of light and shadow. @kaa_architects www.kaa.co.za Photography by Lens and Layout Photography 159

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NICHOLAS PLEWMAN ARCHITECTS + ASSOCIATES with Michaelis Boyd Architects and Fox Browne Creative for andBeyond Suyian Lodge Laikipia, Kenya Perched on an elevated escarpment overlooking ancient granite kopjes, dramatic rocky outcrops, and distant views of Mount Kenya, the lodge is shaped by its extraordinary geology. Designed to appear as a natural extension of the surrounding granite formations, it operates entirely offgrid while minimising environmental disturbance. The project reimagines the East African safari lodge through a contemporary architectural response rooted in Samburu culture, craftsmanship, and long-term conservation. @nicholasplewmanarchitects www.plewmanarchitects.co.za Photography by Dook Photography

ARRCC for DDS

São Paulo, Brazil DDS draws inspiration from the expressive structural language of Paulo Mendes da Rocha and the sculptural forms of Ruy Ohtake. ARRCC interprets these ideas through interior space, materiality, furniture, art, and experience. Brazilian furniture, contemporary artworks, tapestries, sculpture, handcrafted objects, and locally sourced stone create a richly layered interior deeply connected to its architectural context.

@_arrcc www.arrcc.com Image courtesy of ARRCC

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MEG RALPH SPACES for Anantara Tented Camp Kafue River Kafue National Park, Zambia Some projects begin with a brief. Others begin with a place. Kafue began with a river. Elevated above the floodplain and positioned along the riverbank, the design preserves the natural rhythm of the site. Copper, terracotta, emerald, and cobalt reflect Zambia’s landscape, while weathered timber, woven fibres, carved hardwoods, ceramics, forged metal, and natural textiles celebrate the craftsmanship of local artisans. @m.e.g.r.a.l.p.h.s.p.a.c.e.s www.megralphspaces.co.za Photography by Richard Waite

FOX BROWNE CREATIVE with Nicholas Plewman Architects + Associates and Michaelis Boyd Architects for andBeyond Suyian Lodge Laikipia, Kenya An Afro–Wabi-Sabi sensibility underpins the interiors, with built-in furniture, textured plaster finishes, raw timber, and subtle lighting contributing to a sense of quiet restraint. The lodge’s colour palettes and finishes are informed by local wildlife, particularly the African wild dog, as well as the cultural heritage of the Samburu people. Earthy neutrals, soft blacks, and clay tones are paired with tactile natural materials to create calm, cocoon-like environments. @foxbrowne_creative www.foxbrowne.com Photography by Dook Photography

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ONCEPT PRODUCT OF THE YEAR Unrestrained, uninhibited, unlike anything yet — few have the vision to imagine the future before it arrives. This award celebrates those with bold ideas to reinvent the chair, lighting, ceramics, and more; those who insist familiar objects can find new, unexpected forms through inspiration, experimentation, and artisanal approaches. It honours ideas that respond to elemental forces, are informed by design precedents, and are fuelled by the exchange of ideas within communities of collaborators.

Image courtesy of Reticence

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VITALLI.

for HAO Dining Chair

Inspired by the symmetry of a landscape mirrored in still water, the HAO Dining Chair captures a fleeting natural phenomenon through abstraction. Vertical carbon-stained timber elements reinterpret the trunks of surrounding trees, while the Tibetan sheepskin seat recalls the textured grassy bank. The seat line becomes the reflective plane, creating the illusion of mirrored forms extending above and below the surface.

@vitalli.design www.vitalli.design Image courtesy of Vitalli.

Materials: Carbon-Stained Ash Timber, Tibetan Sheepskin

RETICENCE for The Bound Vessel

Conceived from profound loss, this vessel is a tribute to two lives bound together in death and memory. Two intertwined forms, one male and one female, echo one another, held by a delicate cord that symbolises a connection death cannot sever. The Bound Vessel is created not only for the hidden recesses of mourning, but to exist alongside us in the vibrant pulse of daily life.

Materials: Ceramic, Black Waxed Cord

@reticencestudio www.reticence.co.za Image courtesy of Reticence

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RONEL JORDAAN for Blowing Bubbles Blowing Bubbles explores the overwhelming nature of the many 'speech bubbles' we encounter through news and social media — truths, untruths, opinions and emotions. The conglomerate of bubbles represents these thoughts, while blue signifies truth. Created through slow wet-felting, the stool reflects Ronel’s belief that laughter is an antidote to negativity.

Materials: South African Merino Wool, Metal

@roneljordaantex www.roneljordaan.com Image courtesy of Ronel Jordaan

VITALLI. for MON Armchair

Inspired by volcanic landscapes, the design distils the raw geological forces of pressure and cooling into a bold collectible object — one that balances elemental inspiration with contemporary craftsmanship, transforming one of nature's most powerful phenomena into a timeless expression of sculptural furniture.

Materials: Antique Distressed Copper, Tibetan Sheepskin, Shou Sugi Ban Ash Timber

@vitalli.design www.vitalli.design Image courtesy of Vitalli.

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HEINI VAN NIEKERK ARCHITECTS for Pavo Chaise

Inspired by the elegance of the peacock, the design translates organic movement into a contemporary form. The sweeping backrest and integrated lighting enhance its sense of rhythm, depth, and materiality, allowing the chair to transform with its surroundings.

Materials: Acrylic, Aluminium, RGB LED Strips @heini.van.niekerk.architects www.heinivanniekerk.com Image courtesy of Heini van Niekerk Architects

HOI P’LOY for De Ponti Touch

A conscious marriage of old and new, De Ponti Touch combines precision techniques and materials over 100 years old with technology and substrates at the cutting edge of tomorrow. Drawing on the Moka Pot’s faceted geometry, the lamp reframes 3D printing as a deliberate expression of craftsmanship — not a substitute, but a purposeful choice.

Materials: Polylactic Acid (PLA), Brass

@hoiploysa www.hoiploy.com Image courtesy of Hoi P’loy

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MEETLO STUDIO for Semoya Bench

Named after the Setswana word for spirit or breath, Semoya reflects on the invisible forces that shape our existence. Like the movement of wind through the landscape, spirit cannot be seen, yet its presence is revealed through the way it transforms everything it touches. The sculptural frame embraces fluidity over rigid geometry, expressing the organic and often unpredictable nature of spiritual journeys.

@meetlo_studios www.meetlostudio.co.za Image courtesy of Meetlo Studio

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longevity through design IGNEOUS CONCRETE | innovators in all weather, lightweight polyconcrete +27 (0)82 443 0084 | info@igneous.co.za | www.igneous.co.za | #igneous_concrete specialist suppliers of large scale, low maintenance, weather resistant, water repellent, UV stable pots + planters | bench + wall paneling | seating + furniture | bollards, bins, canopies and signage | custom design and landscaping essentials | indoor and outdoor installations for retail, commercial, leisure and public open spaces

EMERGING STUDIO OF THE YEAR Every new practice begins with a point of departure — a distinct instinct, a restless curiosity, a desire to make things differently. A celebration of a generation shaping what comes next, with ideas and work that hint at a new language waiting to be defined. 169

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ANANTA DESIGN STUDIO For Ananta Design Studio, design becomes a catalyst for cultural preservation, social impact, and creative innovation. Through collectible furniture, lighting, and functional art, the studio merges contemporary design with African heritage craftsmanship, creating pieces that celebrate their Indian and South African heritage while elevating African craft within the global design landscape. @studioananta_ www.studio-ananta.com Image courtesy of Ananta Design Studio 170

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TMD STUDIOS Every project for TMD Studios begins with a deep understanding of place and unfolds through a considered exploration of materiality, craftsmanship, and spatial composition. Their work celebrates the intersection of architecture, art, and design, pairing bespoke detailing with carefully curated furnishings, local craftsmanship, and natural materials. @tmd_studio_za Photography by Julian Carelsen

OHKRE COLLECTIVE Before Ohkre was an idea, it was a colour. Ochre is one of the earliest known languages of creativity — used by our ancestors to inscribe meaning into place, material, and surface. Raw, grounded, tactile, and human, it reminds us that making has always been a way of belonging. This origin shapes the way Ohkre Collective works. Here, design is never a singular act of authorship, but a process of gathering. @ohkre_collective www.ohkre.com Image courtesy of Ohkre Collective

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FYGG STUDIO Fygg Studio believes that understanding people is just as important as understanding design. The intentionally small studio allows them to stay closely involved in every stage of a project, with clients becoming collaborators, artisans becoming partners, and suppliers becoming part of the process. Whether designing for travellers or families, hospitality or residential spaces, their goal remains the same: to create environments that feel authentic, meaningful, and emotionally resonant. @fyggstudio www.fyggstudio.co Photography by Revere Creations

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STUDIO GOODD From Cape Town to London and New York, Studio Goodd brings a multidisciplinary approach to high-end private residential and luxury hospitality design, with collaboration sitting at the heart of their process. Their team of designers, architects, and stylists each brings a distinct perspective, yet they work as one, ensuring every project benefits from collective expertise and creative dialogue. @studiogoodd www.studiogoodd.com Photography by Mark Williams

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NISH Founded on the belief that furniture should enrich the experience of everyday life, evoke emotion, and endure both physically and aesthetically over time. N I S H produces timeless furniture and objects that balance sculptural simplicity with everyday function, with each piece conceived as an exploration of material, proportion, and form. @nish___design www.nish.design Image courtesy of N I S H

MARIELOUISEKOEN INTERIORS MARIELOUISEKOEN Interiors is the culmination of over a decade of experience spanning luxury interior design in New York and an established fine art practice in Cape Town. With original artwork informing the materiality and atmosphere of every space, the studio allows for a deeply collaborative and highly considered design process across luxury residential, hospitality, and commercial interiors. @marielouisekoen www.marielouisekoen.com Image courtesy of MARIELOUISEKOEN Interiors

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DEFT STUDIOS What began as an experiment became something bigger. Deft Studios’ outlook on the furniture world is entirely their own, authentic to who they are as individuals. Years of organic, hands-on growth have earned them real confidence and real expertise, but they never mistake that for completion. There’s always more to learn. @deft.studios www.deftstudios.co.za Image courtesy of DEFT Studios

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EDUCATIONAL BUILD OF THE YEAR

Educational buildings can be transformative; in rare cases, they help cultivate the freedom to think, the safety to explore, and the inspiration to imagine boldly. This is architecture that approaches learning as both a rigorous and deeply human experience, recognising that buildings shape how students and scholars think and how ideas crosspollinate.

AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE MMXXVI

DHK ARCHITECTS

for Bishops Ubuntu Learning Centre Rondebosch, Cape Town The Ubuntu Learning Centre transforms a historic library and lecture theatre into a flexible educational ecosystem. The preserved Molteno Library is connected to a contemporary insertion through a glazed ‘gasket’, creating a deliberate dialogue between old and new. Inside, a vertical gradient moves from collaborative spaces to quieter study areas, while adaptable classrooms, meeting pods and informal ‘homago’ zones support different modes of learning, collaboration, and reflection. @dhkarchitects www.dhk.co.za Photography by Sean Gibson

HUBO STUDIO

for Redhill Junior Library & Urban Park Sandton, Johannesburg Conceived as a town hall for Redhill’s educational community, the library is a shared space where every child can gather, connect, and belong. The original pitched-roof structure is retained, while the former school façade becomes a child-scaled streetscape, creating a miniature village. Inside, new walkways, floors and a glass roof transform the building into a connected ‘city of stories’, where circulation becomes streets, gathering areas become civic spaces, and reading corners offer quiet retreat. @hubostudio www.hubostudio.com Photography by Paris Brummer

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SALT ARCHITECTS

@saltarchitects www.saltarchitects.co.za Photography by Christopher Littlewood

for Apex Stellenbosch Stellenbosh, Western Cape

Apex High School occupies a former winery on the edge of Stellenbosch, directly beside Kayamandi, which it primarily serves. Its adaptive reuse transforms a site once dedicated to producing luxury goods into one that produces educational value. The architecture makes this model possible: large, daylit and acoustically separated volumes allow up to 100 learners to work independently within a shared space, demonstrating how adaptive reuse can redistribute access, resources, and opportunity.

TANN ARCHITECTURE for Volley Roper

Brooklyn, Pretoria Drawing on the modernist architectural heritage of its location, the Volley Roper student housing project creates a contemporary expression of student living. The 1960s work of architect John Claassens, including a neighbouring house refurbished as social and study spaces, informed the building’s character. A dynamic breezeblock screen wraps the main façade, responding to light, privacy, and climate while creating a distinctive identity. @tannarchitecture www.tannarchitecture.com Image courtesy of TANN Architecture

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VKDB ARCHITECTURE AND INTERIOR DESIGN

for The Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study North Wing

The STIAS North Wing is designed around a simple idea: great ideas happen when people cross paths. The Coffee Hub is positioned at the junction between old and new, turning circulation into an opportunity for spontaneous exchange. A darker, floating volume settles quietly into the surrounding parkland, while a rooftop terrace opens towards the mountains. @vkdb_design www.vkdb.co.za Photography by Markus Jordaan

GAPP ARCHITECTS AND URBAN DESIGNERS for NWU Student Life & Clinic Building

Vanderbijlpark, Gauteng Guided by GAPP’s masterplan, the design responds to the need to counter campus sprawl by intensifying established cores and creating a more walkable environment. Positioned snugly between two existing buildings on a 3.5 m-high embankment, the building frames public open space, strengthening it as a significant spatial asset. @gapp_ www.gapp.net Image courtesy of GAPP Architects and Urban Designers

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INCLUSIVE BUILD OF THE YEAR Good architecture provides more than access; it creates opportunities to participate, connect and belong. Across this year’s entries, inclusion is expressed through culture, community, sensory experience, and a thoughtful response to place. These projects demonstrate how design can make spaces feel meaningful. 180

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OFFICE 24-7 ARCHITECTURE for The Gianni Ravazzotti Biodiversity Centre Vaalwater, Limpopo The Centre transforms learning into an immersive, hands-on experience, encouraging visitors to actively explore local biodiversity and the connections between people, community, and the natural world. At its heart is an invitation to engage all the senses. Elaborate surface textures encourage visitors to reach out, touch, and explore, turning passive observation into active discovery and fostering a deeper appreciation of the living world around them. @office247_architecture www.office24-7.co.za Photography by Elsa Young

SAKHISIZWE ARCHITECTS for KWADUKUZA MUSEUM KwaDukuza, KwaZulu-Natal Inspired by the isicholo, the brick tower at KwaDukuza Museum becomes a powerful symbol of Zulu identity, dignity, and ancestral creation. Positioned directly opposite the King Shaka Memorial and Visitors’ Centre, the museum establishes a strong visual and symbolic connection between the two heritage sites, linking them as part of a shared cultural experience. Together, they create a meaningful dialogue between architecture, memory, identity, and place. @sakhisizwearchitects www.sakhisizwearchitects.co.za Photography by Grant Pitcher

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HENDRE BLOEM INTERIOR DESIGN for Oranjezicht City Farm Market V&A Waterfront, Cape Town The new market represents a movement that has grown from a grassroots initiative into an institution that supports thousands of livelihoods and serves as a benchmark for sustainable food culture in South Africa. The interior design reflects the ethos that has defined Oranjezicht City Farm since its inception: local, seasonal, honest, and community-driven. @hendrebloeminteriordesign www.hendrebloem.com Photography by Paris Brummer

TWOFIVEFIVE ARCHITECTS for The Cube Maitland, Cape Town Through careful planning, disciplined cost control, and an unapologetically expressive façade, The Cube transforms a constrained industrial site, providing residents with not just a home but an identity, pride, and a sense of belonging. The project builds upon Maitland’s evolving urban fabric, proving that ambitious architecture can remain accessible, practical, and socially meaningful. @255architects www.twofivefive.co.za Photography by Paris Brummer

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ARC MU:V for Izinga Transport Hub Midrand, Gauteng Balancing the practical requirements of a high-volume transport interchange with carefully considered architectural interventions, Izinga Transport Hub creates a dignified, people-centred environment that enhances the overall experience of arriving and departing from Mall of Africa. Daily public transport infrastructure is elevated by the inclusion of public art, environmental graphics, and large-scale murals. @arc_architects_sa www.arcarchitects.co.za Image courtesy of ARC MU:V

JVR ARCHITECTS & INTERIORS for Roger Ballen Centre for Photography

Forest Town, Johannesburg A contemporary public institution that celebrates photography as an accessible art form, the Centre serves as a quiet architectural backdrop, allowing photography to remain the main focus. Carefully positioned openings and recessed glazing minimise direct sunlight, protecting the artwork while creating subtle moments of light. @jvrarchitects www.jvrarchitects.co.za Photography by William Hindle

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BIG BUILD OF THE YEAR Scale has a presence of its own: measured not only in height and footprint, but in the weight it carries within the city and the lives unfolding around it. The most powerful large-scale architecture does more than command attention; it gives something back, shaping its surroundings with ambition, generosity, and purpose.

Photography by Paris Brummer AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE MMXXVI

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ELPHICK PROOME ARCHITECTURE for Ridgeside Offices

Umhlanga, KwaZulu-Natal Size: 32 800 m2 Occupying a prominent position within one of South Africa’s fastest-growing business districts, the development was created through the consolidation of two adjacent properties, establishing a new corporate campus. The natural terrain was used to create a layered sequence of buildings, landscapes, and public spaces that connect seamlessly across the site. @elphick.proome.architecture www.eparch.co.za Image courtesy of Elphick Proome

GLH ARCHITECTS for Ivory Coast Embassy

Eastwood, Pretoria Size: 1200 m2 The Embassy is a contemporary diplomatic landmark that expresses unity, identity, and openness. The building’s form is generated from an elliptical spiral: a ribbon-like volume that suggests upward movement and continuity. Reinterpreted through contemporary fabrication, diagonally tiled laser-cut stainless steel panels form a seamless array of bands and diamond-shaped openings, reinforcing West African motifs. @glh_architects www.glh.co.za Photography by Carlo Antonelli

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TANN ARCHITECTURE for Volley Roper Brooklyn, Pretoria Size: 3817 m2 This student housing project creates an aesthetic language – framing a suburb in Pretoria en route to the University of Pretoria main campus. The main waved façade interprets the spatial and material character of Brooklyn’s modernist architectural heritage within a contemporary student living scheme. The unique ‘waved’ architectural language is not just external; it seamlessly reflects inward, defining the social zones along walkways and carrying through directly into the interior designs. @tannarchitecture www.tannarchitecture.com Photography by Gordan Jubber

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HENDRE BLOEM INTERIOR DESIGN for Oranjezicht City Farm Market

V&A Waterfront, Cape Town Size: 3900 m2 The new Oranjezicht City Farm Market stands as a contemporary expression of sustainable urban retail and conscious design decisions. Building upon the architectural framework, the interior design amplifies the market's connection to its agrarian heritage while introducing a refined and distinctly contemporary identity. Timber serves as the unifying design language, creating a warm and tactile environment that evokes the character of the rural landscape. @hendrebloeminteriordesign www.hendrebloem.com Photography by Paris Brummer

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TWOFIVEFIVE ARCHITECTS for The Cube Maitland, Cape Town Size: 1200 m2 TwoFiveFive Architects believe that affordable housing needs not be anonymous, compromised, or apologetic. The central design philosophy was to achieve visual complexity through simple, economical and repeatable detailing. The façade draws inspiration from the sawtooth roofs of Maitland’s factories and warehouses. These forms are reinterpreted through projecting privacy balconies, stepped elements, and carefully articulated brickwork. @255architects www.twofivefive.co.za Photography by Paris Brummer

TANN ARCHITECTURE for PANTRY Hazelwood, Pretoria Size: 960 m2 PANTRY’s restrained architectural language is defined by dual opposing forces: a lightweight, corrugated metal ‘hovering’ roof juxtaposed against heavy, monolithic stone masses. This structural gap allows the floating roof line to open up the façade, establishing a highly visible transition that invites passersby into a warm, ‘Fancy but Easy’ interior market space. @tannarchitecture www.tannarchitecture.com Image courtesy of TANN Architecture

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THE MMXXVI RISING STAR AWARD Every generation has its voices, but only a few arrive with something distinctly their own. A Rising Star possesses the instinct, imagination, and conviction of one beginning to leave an unmistakable mark on the world around them.

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RYAN OLIVIER Founder and Creative Director, Vitalli. For Ryan, design isn’t just something he does — it’s who he is. It’s the one thing he cannot stop himself from doing. There’s no off button. @vitalli.design www.vitalli.design Image courtesy of Vitalli.

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MARIE-LOUISE KOEN

JOSEPHINE NOYCE

Founder, MARIELOUISEKOEN Interiors

Founder and Director, Josephine Garden Design

Rather than treating art and interiors as separate disciplines, Marie-Louise has spent the past decade developing a practice where each informs the other — creating spaces in which original they are conceived as one.

If Josephine is remembered for anything, she hopes it is not for a recognisable style, but for creating landscapes that belong so completely to their setting that they feel as though they have always been there.

@marielouisekoen www.marielouisekoen.com Image courtesy of MARIELOUISEKOEN Interiors

@josephines_gardens www.josephinenoyce.com Image courtesy of Josephine Garden Design

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KIM BENATAR Principal Architect and Managing Director, Three14 Architects Architecture that is restrained rather than extravagant, confident rather than loud, and quietly luxurious because every decision has been made with purpose. Kim believes that every junction, every material, and every line deserves attention. @three14architects www.three14.co.za

WARREN TURNBULL Founder, Hutch Custom Warren would rather risk the harder curve than guarantee the easier one. That’s the whole manifesto, really: make the piece that scares you a little. Everything else follows from that. @hutch_custom www.hutchcustom.com Photography by Maleene Hinrichsen

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VIVEKA AND RUCITA VASSEN Co-founders, Ananta Design Studio Viveka and Rucita’s work is an expression of a dual identity, drawing on the traditions, rituals, vibrant colours, and craftsmanship that have shaped them to create a contemporary design language with depth and meaning. @studioananta_ www.studio-ananta.com Image courtesy of Ananta Design Studio

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TANISHA NEILL Founder and Creative Director, NISH Guided by instinct rather than a predetermined aesthetic, Tanisha creates timeless furniture and objects that balance sculptural simplicity with everyday function; intended to be lived with, cherished, and ultimately passed down through generations. @nish___design www.nish.design Image courtesy of N I S H

DAYNE WRIGHT AND WARWICK RENARD Directors, Millennia Architects Memories are created in the unexpected events that stand out from the mundane, and Dayne and Warwick’s raison d’être is to create them through architecture that feels both distinctive and inevitable, unlocking the potential of places that are frequently remote, sensitive, or off the beaten track. @millennia_arch www.millenniaarchitects.com Image courtesy of Millenia Architects

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the new sga 2000: where power meets precision in every spray ƒ As STIHL marks 100 years of innovation, the SGA 2000 Backpack Battery Sprayer sets a new standard for professional spraying in landscaping, horticulture, pest control and weed management. This cordless powerhouse is designed to make every application more efficient, comfortable and precise. • • • • • •

20L Tank Capacity: Cover larger areas with fewer refills, keeping productivity high throughout the day. Integrated Stirring Function: Ensures even mixing and consistent application of liquids for professional results every time. Adjustable Pressure Regulator: Easily adapt spray pressure intensity for fertilisers, herbicides, fungicides and pest treatments. Four Nozzle Options: Achieve precise application across a variety of landscaping and horticultural tasks. Comfortable Carrying System: Padded, adjustable shoulder straps and optimised weight distribution reduce fatigue during long working hours. Consistent Battery Performance: The integrated lithium-ion battery delivers reliable, maintenance-free power from the first spray to the last.

Engineered for professionals who demand precision, productivity and all-day comfort, the SGA 2000 enables you to take on every spraying task with confidence.

SGA 2000

BATTERY BACKPACK SPRAYER

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www.stihl.co.za

instagram.com/stihlsa

VISIONARY DEVELOPMENT THE YEAR

An ode to the bold moves that transform places, shift perceptions, and leave a lasting imprint on the way we inhabit the world. Our cities are shaped by more than buildings; they are shaped by ambition, foresight, and the decisions that determine what comes next.

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Photography by Paris Brummer

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SIMILAN

for Newinbosch Neighbourhood Estate Stellenbosch, Western Cape Newinbosch is conceived as a layered, living neighbourhood where nature is not the setting, but the blueprint. Drawing on South African gathering traditions and Cape vernacular, homes, workspaces, and shared buildings cluster around green belts, slow streets and communal spaces, creating a cohesive design language that feels familiar yet fresh. @similangroup www.similan.co.za Image courtesy of Similan

BERMAN BROTHERS GROUP for Dolce Vita Sea Point, Cape Town A mixed-use development, Dolce Vita brings together luxury residences and the five-star boutique hotel, The Cole, beneath a singular architectural expression. Drawing on Tropical Modernism, Mediterranean coastal urbanism, and Sea Point’s mid-century apartment culture, its sweeping balconies, layered façades, and sculptural curves create a contemporary landmark that connects with the street while embracing its Atlantic Seaboard setting. @bermanbrothersgroup www.bermanbros.co.za Photography by Paris Brummer

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TWOFIVEFIVE ARCHITECTS for Madèlane Suites Cape Town CBD Madèlane completes the transformation of the city's once-overlooked Vredenburg Lane into a vibrant urban destination. Occupying just 99 m², the 11-storey, 30-key aparthotel demonstrates how precision, adaptive reuse, and intelligent planning can create generosity on a compact site. Its ribbed concrete façade and bold blue balconies bring a distinctive contemporary identity to the precinct, while a communal rooftop extends the experience skyward. @255architects www.twofivefive.co.za Photography by Paris Brummer

BLOK for ONEHUNDREDONM

Sea Point, Cape Town A historic Sea Point landmark is reimagined as a contemporary mixed-use destination at ONEHUNDREDONM. Urban living, retail, eateries, and a rooftop pool are brought together beneath one roof. The seven-storey development extends the building’s life through a modern architectural response grounded in history, place, memory, and tradition. @blokliving www.blok.co.za Photography by Sean Gibson

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ATTERBURY for Bendehuis

Menlo Park, Pretoria Bendehuis preserves the spirit of connection and belonging that has defined the site for generations. A carefully composed collection of two- and three-storey buildings is arranged around the restored historic home, mature trees, and landscaped courtyards, creating a contemporary development that strengthens the identity and human scale of Pretoria’s Old East Precinct. @atterburyproperty www.atterbury.co.za Image courtesy of Atterbury

ABLAND PROPERTY DEVELOPERS for The Rubik Cape Town CBD A 27-storey mixed-use landmark at the intersection of Loop and Riebeek Streets, the Rubik brings together premium offices, luxury residences, and retail in a compact inner-city site. Its four rotated glazed volumes create a sculptural presence on the Cape Town skyline, while an articulated podium strengthens the street edge. More than a high-rise, The Rubik contributes to the CBD’s revitalisation, combining density, walkability, and intelligent urban living in one cohesive development. @ablandpropertydevelopment www.abland.co.za Photography by Sean Gibson

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LANDSCAPE & URBAN PROJECT OF THE YEAR When design becomes an act of care, its impact reaches far beyond the space itself. The most meaningful interventions are those that leave something richer behind: a stronger sense of belonging, a more resilient landscape, and a future with room to grow.

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Photography by Paris Brummer

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YES& STUDIO for Bo-Kaap Market Bo-Kaap, Cape Town Situated within a civic node at the heart of Bo-Kaap, and delivered under the City of Cape Town’s economic development mandate, the Bo-Kaap Market operates as a case study in responsive design that adapts to the layered social, ecological, and heritage imperatives that inform it. @yesandstudio www.yesand.studio Photography by M. Franklin

HUBO STUDIO

for Galliot Road Park Glenhazel, Johannesburg What began as a barren, overlooked stretch of open land grew, through conversation, into a far more ambitious reimagining of the site. Galliot Park was designed as an extension of the community itself, a piece of shared civic life stitched back into the neighbourhood’s daily rhythm. The park now functions as connective tissue, drawing neighbours together through shared use of the grounds. @hubostudio www.hubostudio.com Photography by Paris Brummer

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CARA SMITH LANDSCAPE DESIGN for SANCTUARY OF SOLACE Constantia, Cape Town Curving pathways, sculpted berms, and naturalistic planting gently contrast with the architecture, while an ecological pool creates a deliberate contrast between the more structured, architectural swimming area and the softer, naturalistic ecological zone. @carasmithlandscapedesign www.carasmithdesign.com Photography by Davina Mortloc

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CNDV LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS for Newinbosch Neighbourhood Estate Stellenbosch, Western Cape This project treats landscaping as living infrastructure: a system that rebuilds ecosystem function. A wide biodiversity corridor connects the site to neighbouring land, while compact urban pocket forests maximise biomass within limited space. The approach draws on the Miyawaki method, accelerating natural forest succession through dense, multi-layered planting. @cndvlandscapearchitects www.cndv.biz Photography by D Zondagh

BLOC ARCHITECTS for The Gates Sheffield Beach, KwaZulu-Natal Rather than separating the public realm from the protected indigenous forest beyond, security infrastructure becomes an opportunity to create a carefully choreographed transition. The Gates slows arrival, heightens awareness, and reconnects visitors with the ecological character of the site. @blocarchitects www.bloc.archi Photography by Chris Allan

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CRAFT OF ARCHITECTURE for Boulevard Courtyard District Six, Cape Town Located at the historic edge of Woodstock and District Six, Boulevard Office Park’s underused courtyard was largely empty and uninviting, exposed to wind and harsh sun. Its new rendition introduces a continuous, angular, ribbon-like steel structure that runs through the courtyard, incorporating seating, planters, and lighting. The project transforms the area from a passageway into a place where people can sit, meet, and spend time. @craft_of_architecture www.coasite.com Photogrphy by Wianelle Briers

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IN GOOD OMPANY

Some Brands Supply an Industry. Others Become Part of It. Oggie Flooring Celebrates Two Decades of Doing Things Properly — Building a Remarkable Business, Enduring Relationships, and Finding a Place at the Heart of the South African Design Community

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Photography by Antonia Steyn

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Twenty years have passed, and yet the things that matter to Oggie Flooring have remained remarkably constant: hard work, care, an uncompromising pursuit of excellence, and, above all, the relationships that make a business something more. If you devote yourself to these things for long enough, there comes a day when you look up and realise you’ve built something important – something much bigger than that first job when a container of boards arrived on South African shores.

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"Excellence is not one big gesture to Oggie. It is hundreds of considered decisions, beautifully resolved."

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responding to Oggie’s social channels. This contrast is revealing: a business of considerable scale, led by someone who has never developed much appetite for distance. Looking back over two decades, Nick does not measure Oggie’s story only in square metres laid or milestones reached. He remembers people. The architects and designers he first encountered as apprentices, now leading their own practices, and the clients who returned with new projects. For Nick, each client deserves the same respect, whether a student in Woodstock or a developer with a major project. Some projects stand out for having changed the course of the business. An early commission was one such turning point – the kind of project that expands what the company is capable of, and what it begins to believe it might become. Oggie’s story has been built gradually through introductions made, trust earned, opportunities taken, and relationships carried forward. Oggie’s floors are designed to be lived on, adding a patina over time that only enhances the material’s character. ‘If I look at my floors,’ Nick reflects, ‘there are traces of my kids riding bikes, and friends dancing and spilling wine.’ Oggie floors age beautifully not despite the marks of life, but because of them.

Photography by Antonia Steyn

Founder Nick Gluckman has spent the past two decades moving the flooring industry forward, but his story is also woven into the journeys of the architects, designers, developers, and clients who have grown alongside him. Today, Oggie is inseparable from the fabric of the South African architecture and design industry.

Oggie has become synonymous with flooring itself. Yet, what lies beneath that recognition is the beauty, atmosphere, and longevity of real wood: a natural product that grounds a space and brings warmth and unique texture to every

room. Through a focus on quality and thoughtful design, Oggie’s products have become part of the spaces imagined by generations of collaborators. Those who know Nick well tend to speak first of his integrity – an unwillingness to compromise that has shaped Oggie as much as any business decision. And for all the company has grown, remarkably little seems to have changed about the man behind it. He is still the same guy from East London, deeply connected to his roots, his family, and the everyday workings of his business. He is known for being home by five to cook dinner for his family; by the early hours of the morning, he may already be personally

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Photography by Antonia Steyn For Nick, business is ultimately about values and making people feel special. His belief that ‘great industries are built by people who are willing to celebrate one another’ is also at the heart of Oggie’s long-standing partnership with the Scape Awards of Excellence. From the beginning, Oggie has supported the architecture and design community as a participant in its growth, and continues

Photography by Antonia Steyn to help create the visibility and opportunity that South African talent deserves on a global stage. Looking ahead, the goal remains the same as it was twenty years ago: to keep showing up for architects, designers, and clients, and to be remembered as ‘good people who cared,’ providing quality products and service that endure.

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"South African talent has a distinctive voice. There is so much happening across our architecture and design community — and do you know what — it deserves to be recognised and placed on a global stage."

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"Trends change all the time. Good materials, thoughtful design and strong craftsmanship endure."

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IN A NEW LIGHT With Colour in Motion, Infinity Surfaces Looks Beyond the Static Surface — Towards Colour, Depth, Materiality, and the Transformative Effect of Light

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Some materials simply finish a building. Others become part of its architecture. Infinity Surfaces belongs firmly to the latter. Made in Italy and conceived at an architectural scale, its large-format porcelain surfaces have long moved easily between floor and wall, fireplace and façade, interior and exterior. Technical performance remains fundamental — heat resistance, UV stability, durability — but increasingly, it is what those capabilities make possible that is interesting.

For Vuyokazi Mhlophe, Head of Marketing at Interslab, the proposition begins with rigour: ‘Italian craftsmanship. No compromise on quality. Superior standards.’ But rigour need not mean restraint.

Colour in motion At the Norval Foundation in Cape Town, Infinity's latest collection was revealed not simply as a series of new surfaces, but against the changing conditions that give material its character: light, shadow, movement, and time. The collection's name, Colour in Motion, proves particularly apt. Across eight new surfaces, stone is interpreted rather than merely imitated. Orobico Luxe is warm and richly veined; Arabescato Diva carries flashes of gold that become more pronounced as light moves across it. Santos shifts through tranquil greens and stronger mineral notes, while the translucence of Onyx White allows illumination itself to become part of the material expression. The collection continues to move between distinct moods: Andromeda draws inspiration from the night sky, while Cammeo moves through blush, blue, and ivory. Taj Mahal is quieter — warm, tactile, and softly golden — while Ceppo Romano finds its character in

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geological layering, as though time itself has been compressed into the surface. Together, they represent a noticeably more expressive chapter for Infinity.

‘I haven’t been excited about a product launch like this in years,’ says Mhlophe. Beyond performance, specification, and scale, there is something else architects and designers require from material: possibility. Giulia Milani, Export Area Manager at Infinity Surfaces, describes that versatility as giving designers the freedom to make an impact through their own craft. And in South Africa, she sees an industry particularly willing to test those possibilities. ‘South Africa doesn’t just adopt global trends but dictates them,’ she says. ‘You’re not satisfied with good — you want excellence.’ It is a sentiment that feels increasingly difficult to dispute. South African architecture and design is operating with a growing confidence of its own — materially curious, geographically specific, and less interested in looking elsewhere for permission. International materials arrive here not simply to be adopted, but interpreted, challenged, and made particular to place.

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“South Africa doesn’t just adopt global trends but dictates them. You’re not satisfied with good — you want excellence.” — Giulia Milani

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Perhaps that is why the relationship between Infinity Surfaces and Scape has felt so natural.

Now entering its third year, Infinity's partnership with the Scape Awards of Excellence extends beyond sponsorship. Both are invested in the same larger proposition: that exceptional South African architecture and design deserves not only to be made, but to be seen. ‘By supporting a beautiful and empowering awards programme like the Scape Awards, we not only empower designers, architects, and developers,’ says Mhlope, ‘but position this amazing industry in South Africa to be seen and gain the recognition it deserves.’ There is something fitting in that alignment. Infinity creates the surfaces upon which architecture can make its mark. Scape creates the platform upon which that architecture can take its place.

"By supporting a beautiful and empowering awards programme like the Scape Awards, we position this amazing industry in South Africa to be seen and gain the recognition it deserves." — Vuyokazi Mhlophe

And, in a new light, both can look rather different.

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Venti Fires Parrilla Braai The new Venti Fires Parrilla Braai is more than a place to cook—it is a statement piece for those who appreciate the unmistakable flavour of wood-fired cooking, exceptional craftsmanship and the theatre of an open fire. Inspired by the traditional South American parrilla, it combines authentic cooking principles with modern engineering to create the ultimate braai experience. Designed to become the centrepiece of any entertainment area, the Parrilla Braai features clean architectural lines, robust construction and a height-adjustable grilling system that gives you complete control over cooking temperatures. Lower the grid for intense searing or raise it for slower, gentler cooking, ensuring perfect results every time. Models wider than 1200 mm are available with two independently adjustable grids and an optional coalmaker, allowing different cooking zones for preparing multiple dishes simultaneously. This versatility makes it easy to grill, roast or keep food warm while entertaining family and friends. The Venti Fires Parrilla Braai reflects our commitment to quality manufacturing, practical design and attention to detail. Built for durability and engineered for performance, it is an investment in memorable gatherings and exceptional cooking. Whether you're hosting a casual weekend braai or entertaining a crowd, the Venti Fires Parrilla Braai delivers authentic wood-fired flavour, precision cooking and timeless style—because the best braais don't just cook food, they create unforgettable experiences.

Thermo Fires

Leadership through Quality

021 200 7660 info@thermoﬁres.co.za

021 981 1988

076 097 3347

www.thermoﬁres.co.za

18 Viben Avenue Brackenfell Industria Western Cape

AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE MMXXVI

MARK THE SPOT The MMXXVI Trophies

Last Year, The Minimalist Took One Home. This Year, They Make Them – Crafting the Objects that Will Pass from the Hands of One Scape Awards Champion to the Next

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There are many things to take home from the Scape Awards of Excellence. There is, however, only one thing that proves you won: the trophy marks this victory. It is what the fiercest competitors in South African architecture and design come to Quoin Rock hoping to leave with – an object earned through extraordinary work, deliberated over by a global jury, and eventually placed into the hands of very few. So, it goes without saying, Scape wanted the very best hands making it. Twelve months ago, the twins behind the stainless-steel fabrication studio stood on the other side of this story. The Minimalist was crowned

an incredible moment of reassurance and validation for our entire team.’

our 2025 Maker of the Year, as a Scape trophy was placed into their hands at the Mount Nelson in recognition of their work. This year, they return as makers – entrusted with creating the tokens of victory that the next generation of winners will carry home. It marks a continuation of their role as makers, and a new way to be honoured for what they do. Each trophy begins with a flat sheet of stainless steel. In The Minimalist’s hands, it is shaped, rolled, and formed into Scape’s now-familiar S-shaped silhouette before a mirror-polished, etched plate is set into place. What begins as raw material becomes an object loaded with meaning. And The Minimalist knows precisely what this object can mean. Their 2025 win arrived at a particularly precarious moment. Having been forced out of the shared factory from which they had been operating, Jason and Joshua Henry were questioning whether going out on their own had been the right decision at all. ‘Winning the Scape Awards 2025 completely shifted that perspective,’ they remember. ‘It was

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Momentum followed. The studio has since pushed stainless steel into new territory, expanding into lighting with a collection of aluminium and mirrorpolished desks and standing lights, while beginning to think at an even greater scale: architecture, furniture, objects, and systems brought together as complete living experiences. This year, another long-held ambition becomes real. Through a collaboration with Aesplore, The Minimalist will take over an entire space during Design Week – part showroom, part manifesto, and an opportunity to tell the story of their work on their own terms.

Through all of it, stainless steel remains the constant. ‘It’s built for longevity, and people are beginning to understand how versatile stainless steel can be.’ It also proves to be a fitting material for a trophy. Beyond commemorating a single night, the best awards are markers in a longer story. They pause to recognise and record where somebody was, and what they created. For The Minimalist, that moment came in 2025. In 2026, they shape that experience for someone else. Soon, the trophies will leave their workshop so that, on 9 October at Quoin Rock, they will find their new owners.

"Keep creating, keep pushing boundaries, and keep leaving your mark, one piece and one project at a time. And through it all, walk with grace." — The Minimalist

FINOak Atelier Engineered Hardwood- 190 Unfinished -Jax Oleum Stained - Sand

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FINOAK ATELIER - CHAR