Ray Harli
Years of Experience
20 years
Qualifications
Bachelor of Architecture, Cum Laude [Wits University, South Africa]
Master in Advanced Computation for Architecture & Design, Cum Laude [IAAC, Barcelona, Spain]
PDP (Property Development) [University of Cape Town, South Africa]
Professional Practice [UCD, Ireland]
Professional Registrations
SA Council for the Architectural Profession (SACAP)
Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI)
Architect’s Registration Board, United Kingdom (ARB)
Nationalities
South African and Irish
Publications + Lectures + Exhibitions
Harvard GSD: Implementing VR for Collaborative Design
Venice 2021 Architecture Biennial Time, Space and Existence
‘The Street as a Destination’ UCLA Berkeley
Forbes: The Sub City, What Lies Beneath
Awards
SA Institute of Architects (JITI)
IAAC Distinguished Graduate
KZN Institute of Architects: Moses Mabhida Station
SAISC Steel Award for Moses Mabhida Station
OPUS Award for Irishtown Police Station
Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland Award for the National Marine Institute
Corobrik Prize, Everite Prize, David Haddon Memorial Prize
Contact and Portfolio
LinkedIn rharli@gmail.com
Portfolio
+44 7861 373 451
Key data
Ray Harli is an architect focused on the intersection of technology, design, and development economics with computational, architectural and property development degrees. He is a licensed architect in the UK, Ireland and South Africa and has successfully completed several award-winning mega projects. He has extensive experience in a broad range of sectors including: residential, retail, commercial, industrial, healthcare, educational, transit-orientated-developments, masterplanning, renovation and sustainability, showcasing his versatility and depth across both local and global landscapes.
Ray is a recognised industry leader having pioneered the integration of AI and machine learning within the architectural field, setting new benchmarks for innovation and efficiency and has assisted in the creation of commercially successful VR apps now used by the industry and academia.
Professional Experience
Urban Soup Architects
Johannesburg, South Africa
www.urbansoup.co.za
Role: Director 2015 - Present
Arup
Johannesburg + London www.arup.com
Role: Design Manager + Design Technology Leader 2009-2015
The Office of Public Works Dublin, Republic of Ireland www.gov.ie
Role: Senior Architect + BIM Leader 2005-2009
John Thompson & Partners Limerick, Republic of Ireland www.ta.ie
Role: Architect 2002-2004
Key projects
European
Union Delegation Offices
Pretoria, South Africa
Size: 5,000 sq. m
Value: R85 Million (3.6 Million GBP)
Completed: 2024
Ray was the Development Lead for the EU Delegation’s offices in Pretoria, South Africa. The project involved adapting and upgrading an existing office complex incorporating EU standards and local regulations, with a focus on sustainable, secure, and functional design. Key features included energy-efficient systems, high-tech security measures, and compliance with EU building codes, emphasising accessibility and minimal environmental impact.
Trojena, Ski-Resort
Tabuk region, Saudi Arabia
Size: 60 sq. km
Value: 4 Billion GBP
2024 (on-going)
Trojena is part of NEOM’s regional plan, located 50 km from the Gulf of Aqaba. In the Trojena project within NEOM’s ambitious development, Ray’s role is centred on developing computational work flows, bridging the gap between design and production teams. The work flows are used to facilitate the efficient creation of a cutting-edge ski resort, ensuring seamless project execution in a unique, mountainous setting.
Jack Mincer Transport Hub
Johannesburg, South Africa
Size: 58,000 sq.m
Value: R570 Million (25 Million GBP)
2023 (on-going)
Ray is the lead architect for this 58,000 sq. m transportation hub. He is playing a key role in spearheading the comprehensive redevelopment of one of South Africa’s busiest transportation hubs through all stages from inception to construction. This ambitious project integrates a multi-story mixed-use facility, encompassing extensive multimodal transportation along with significant retail and office components, designed to enhance urban mobility and invigorate the local economy.
Johannesburg International Transport Interchange
Johannesburg, South Africa
Size: 52,000 sq. m
Value: R480 Million (20 Million GBP)
Completed: 2022
Ray spearheaded the design of a state-ofthe-art, multi-modal transport hub that integrates retail, office, recreational, and storage facilities. Strategically located in Johannesburg’s inner city, this project seamlessly connects long-distance bus, rail, and taxi services, playing a key role in enhancing the city’s public transport network. A benchmark in modern urban infrastructure, the hub provides an efficient and fluid transit experience, while fostering urban revitalisation.
VR Sketch App Development
https://vrsketch.eu/ Virtual Reality Tool 2022
Ray was a key contributor to the software development team behind VR Sketch, he helped create and ship this bespoke virtual reality tool that has achieved commercial success. VR Sketch is now used by several architectural firms and esteemed academic institutions, including Harvard’s Graduate School of Design. The tool enhances design work flows and fosters innovative collaboration in both professional and educational settings.
Tobacco Factory Conversion
Groningen, Netherlands
Size: 28,000 sq.m
Value: €36 Million 2022
Ray led the project team of architects and urban designers for British American Tobacco, for the strategic repurposing of their Groningen factory site amidst their transition away from cigarette production. His innovative approach reimagined the factory as a mixed-use development, transforming it into an inviting gateway to the city. His vision for this project underscores his commitment to sustainable development and architectural excellence, contributing significantly to the city’s social and economic vitality.
Aspen Pharmacare Corporate Campus
Woodmead, South Africa
Size: 14,000 sq.m
Value: R138 Million (5.9 Million GBP) 2022 (on-going)
Ray is leading the project team for Aspen Pharmacare’s office upgrade in Woodmead, transforming their existing office complex. The work involved reconfiguring internal layouts and implementing overall building enhancements to meet evolving business needs, ensuring the project progresses smoothly and efficiently.
Interwaste Landfill Precinct
Western Cape, South Africa
Size: 12.5 hectares
Value: R125 Million (5.4 Million GBP) 2023
Ray collaborated with Interwaste, a subsidiary of the French Séché Environment Group, on a transformative waste management project in the Western Cape, South Africa. He played a key role in the redevelopment of a major landfill site, aligning with the National Waste Management Strategy to promote a circular economy. He contributed to the planning and development of a comprehensive waste management precinct, incorporating treatment and disposal services aimed at significantly diverting waste from landfills, ensuring both environmental compliance and sustainable community benefits.
Goethe-Institut Virtual Meeting Lab
Metaverse
Size: 23,000 sq. m
Value: €230 000 2022
Ray collaborated with the Goethe-Institut to develop the Virtual Meeting Lab, an immersive virtual environment designed to overcome the limitations of traditional two-dimensional meeting platforms like Zoom. The project involved creating a dynamic virtual world where users engage in meetings, host exhibitions, lectures, film screenings, and socialise in a shared digital space, providing an interactive and multidimensional experience.
Large Multistory Office Conversion
Johannesburg, South Africa
Size: 62,000 sq.m
Value: R230 Million (9.9 Million GBP) 2021
Ray led the conceptual redesign of Eskom’s (national electricity utility company ) former head office into a dynamic mixed-use development, incorporating 172 social and affordable housing units alongside 126 student apartments. The project features comprehensive amenities including dining areas, a library, high-tech training centres, rooftop gardens, and gyms, fostering a vibrant, inclusive community.
Grinding Techniques Warehouse
Germiston, South Africa
Size: 6,000 sq.m
Value: R42 Million (1.8 Million GBP) 2021
A new storage warehouse for Tyrolit, a globally recognised leader in the production of grinding discs and dressing tools and their local partner Grinding Techniques, as Principal Agent Ray was involved in all stages of design from inception through to construction.
Kimberley Urban Design Framework
Kimberley, South Africa
Size: 12 hectares
Value: R2.5 Billion (108 Million GBP) 2020
This project consisted of the development of three interconnected precinct plans was aimed at revitalizing key urban areas, facilitating the creation of 10,000 mixed-use residential units alongside commercial and public spaces, tied together by critical transport links. This initiative promotes sustainable urban growth in Kimberley, enabling a harmonious live-work-play ecosystem, enriched with accessible economic, educational, and social amenities.
Oakwood Apartments
Johannesburg, South Africa
Size: 3,600 sq.m
Value: R60 Million (2.6 Million GBP) 2018
This development consists of 60 highend luxury apartments located in Sandringham, Johannesburg. Ray was
involved in the project from property acquisition , financing and completion on site.
BIM Optimisation Project DAP
Johannesburg, South Africa
Value: R2 Million (86 000 GBP)
2018
The purpose of this project was to assist the clients computational team at DAP, a prefabrication company, in optimising their existing BIM work flows with the ultimate goal of reducing the time taken to produce repetitive and non-repetitive BIM related tasks.
Rocket Mine Virtual Reality App
Johannesburg, South Africa
Value: R1.8 Million (77 000 GBP) 2018
This project consisted of developing a software application to enable remote monitoring and visualisation of mining production. Ray used the Unreal gaming engine to deliver a virtual reality app used by mining engineers. The app incorporates photogrammetry data collected by drones and converts the visuals into a VR environment.
Alexandra Theatre
Johannesburg, South Africa
Size: 8,100 sq. m
Value: R13 Million (561 000 GBP)
2017
This project showcased the application of LiDAR scanning technology to generate detailed point clouds and sophisticated Building Information Modelling (BIM) representations, meticulously capturing the existing architectural nuances of the Alexander Theatre. This cutting-edge approach laid the foundational groundwork for an expansive redevelopment strategy, setting a new benchmark in precision and innovation for heritage conservation and modernization efforts.
Tshwane Masterplan
Tshwane, South Africa
Size: 10 sq. km
Value: R185 million (7.9 Million GBP)
2016
The strategic masterplan and implementation framework offers to guide the regeneration of South Africa’s capital city over the next few decades and will play a critical role
in the successful transformation of several inner-city areas into thriving, diverse and safe environments. The development strategy for this 10 km2 city centre involved three stages: analysing baseline information, formulating a city-wide vision and spatial development framework; and producing implementation strategies for precinct plans. Ray was one of the Urban Design Leads.
Microsoft Soft Spots
Johannesburg, South Africa
Size: 1 285 sq. m
Value: R8 Million (346 000 GBP)
2016
A series of innovative meeting pods for Microsoft, aimed at creating serene, relaxation-focused spaces within the workplace. These bespoke pods are crafted to facilitate informal gatherings, offering employees a tranquil retreat for rejuvenation and collaborative engagement. The design integrates cutting-edge ergonomic features and ambient elements, redefining the dynamics of workplace interaction and well-being
Sub-city Postal Tunnels Regeneration
Johannesburg, South Africa
Size: 1.5km long
Value: R120 Million (5.1 Million GBP)
2017
This project entailed turning a network of old postal tunnels located in Johannesburg’s under belly into a renovated historic spine. The space is also used to increase the connectivity to existing transport hubs, strengthening the networks between Newtown’s rail and bus depots and taxi ranks.
Sutton Road London House
London, United Kingdom
Size: 110 sq. m
Value: 250 000 GBP 2017
This involved the conversion of a three bedroom bungalow into a large 5 bedroom double story house with loft spaces. Located in a prominent and historic part of London.
Engen Petrol Stations N17
Johannesburg, South Africa
Size: 2 300 sq. m
Value: R28 Million (1.2 Million GBP) 2016
This project consisted of the innovative design of two large petrol stations and truck stops located on the northern and southern sides of the N17 arterial.
SABMILLER Office Refurbishment
Sandton, South Africa
Size: 15 230 sq. m
Value: R220 Million (9.5 Million GBP) 2015
A comprehensive renovation of the SABMiller corporate headquarters in Sandton, coordinating the modernisation of internal office spaces and interiors. This initiative involved meticulous planning to ensure compliance with building codes, while focusing on optimising spatial efficiency. Key improvements encompassed office layouts, interior design, and the upgrade of electrical, mechanical, and IT infrastructures to elevate workplace functionality and aesthetics.
Bus Rapid Transport Depot
Dobsonville, Soweto, South Africa
Size: 12 300 sq. m
Value: R180 Million (7.7 Million GBP) 2012
This was part of a new BRT network for the City of Johannesburg. It is the single largest climate change initiative ever undertaken by the City and represented a major turning point in how the City deals with congestion, pollution and greenhouse gases as a result of transportation.
The Dobsonville BRT bus depot, the first in a network of depots, incorporates a range of services and amenities related to maintenance and administration of the BRT operations.
project included an extensive status quo analysis, the identification of an over arching vision, planning of the development framework and an implementation strategy.
Woodstock Station
Woodstock, South Africa
Size: 13 450 sq. m
Value: R110 Million (4.7 Million GBP) 2010
As part of a public-private-partnership Ray led the concept design and feasibility study for the redevelopment of Woodstock Station. The project included a mixed use development consisting of retail, residential and commercial space.
Moses Mabhida Station
Durban, South Africa
Size: 15 850 sq. m
Value: R130 Million (5.6 Million GBP) 2010
Ray played a key role as site architect on the successful delivery of the new award winning train station which was central to the 2010 World Cup events held at the Moses Mabhida Football Stadium. The station combines the highest international standards of comfort, ease of movement, visibility and security with a celebration of local culture to give passengers a sense of pride as they enter and use the building.
Irishtown Police Station
Dublin, Republic of Ireland
Size: 6 050 sq. m
Value: €8 Million 2009
Park Station Sub-Precinct Framework
Johannesburg, South Africa
Size: 35 hectares
Value: R450 Million (19.4 Million GBP)
2011
Ray played a key role in the design of a 35ha state owned land parcel surrounding Park Station. The
Ray was project architect from inception through to completion on a large station involving several specialised security related functions. The site of the station was of great historical importance and as such an extensive amount of research and conservational work was carried out in order to ensure that the design seamlessly responded to the sensitive urban fabric. The station became the blueprint for several new stations.
State Laboratories
Dublin, Republic of Ireland
Size: 8 300 sq. m
Value: €25 Million
2008
Ray played a key role in the production of tender drawings and detailed technical design for the State Laboratories in Ireland. The State Laboratory provides a comprehensive analytical and advisory service to Government departments and offices enabling them to implement and formulate the technical aspects of national and EU legislation.
National Marine Institute HQ
Galway, Republic of Ireland
Size: 11 050 sq. m
Value: €40 Million
2007
This was an extensive scheme to house marine scientists and their research activities including offices, auditoriums, libraries and laboratories. A sophisticated marine research centre was provided with cutting edge facilities that enhanced vital national marine research and development. The latest concepts and innovations in office and laboratory design were developed in order to meet specialist international accreditation requirements.
Grove Island Apartments
Limerick, Republic of Ireland
Size: 12 880 sq. m
Value: €35 million
2003
This was a significant award winning residential development . Grove Island was a purpose built student village housing 300 students in four and five bedroom apartments. The village includes a shopping centre with supermarket, retail outlets and state of the art leisure centre.
Rosebank Mall Shopping Centre
Johannesburg, South Africa
Size: 14 300 sq. m
Value: R140 million
2000
Redevelopment and extension of Rosebank Mall. The new-look centre is designed along an oval ‘racetrack’ format, ensuring seamless integration between all areas and levels.