Located at the southernmost tip of the African continent, South Africa is home to a varied topography, from rugged mountains to lush forests, grasslands, and a vast coastline. Also called the "rainbow nation," its varied topography mirrors the country's cultural diversity. This multifaceted culture and landscape are reflected in its architecture, broadly classified into indigenous building techniques, distinct colonial styles, and modernist approaches.
Contemporary South African architects seek to reinterpret the past to address the need for inclusive design, affordable housing, and community-driven projects that foster social cohesion while minimizing its ecological impact.
The 25 architecture firms listed below illustrate South Africa’s current and evolving architectural developments:
SAOTA, a leading firm of architects, is driven by the dynamic combination of Stefan Antoni, Philip Olmesdahl, Greg Truen, Phillippe Fouché, Mark Bullivant, Roxanne Kaye, Logen Gordon, Dani Reimers and Dominik George who share a potent vision easily distinguished in their practices.
This, paired with both an innovative and dedicated approach to the design, documentation and execution of projects globally, has seen SAOTA become an internationally sought-after brand.
SAOTA has a global footprint with projects on six continents. We have a clear understanding of the place of design in the world and how to deliver architectural projects in diverse markets.
This success is driven by a design philosophy that connects function and form, and the pursuit of true architectural design to create appropriate solutions.
2. Nico van der Meulen Architects
Nico van der Meulen Architects, known for creating ultra-luxurious dream homes is based in Johannesburg, South Africa. The firm strives towards pushing design boundaries, embracing new forms and evolving technologies while maintaining the authenticity of its aesthetics and materials. Over the past forty years, it has completed more than 4,000 projects across 43 countries, receiving international recognition, including work in the USA, London, Cyprus, Saudi Arabia, and many other regions.
Established in 1998, dhk Architects is an award-winning design studio working across architecture, urban design, and interior design. It is one of Africa's largest firms, driven by a holistic, people-centered approach. Its projects span commercial, residential, hospitality, retail, healthcare, and education sectors. The firm's projects like Parklands College and Battery Park emphasize layered spatial connections and materiality.
SALT Architects, based in Cape Town, emphasizes innovation and contextual relevance in its design approach. The studio integrates core values of imagination, humility, and commitment across all project phases, from concept to construction. Its work spans diverse building types, advancing traditional methods with a focus on meaningful possibilities. Committed to memorable architecture, it prioritizes effective project management and thoughtful material use to create impactful structures that reflect their surroundings.
Metropole Architects combines engineering and artistry to create tailored, client-centric designs that address climatic, contextual, and sustainability concerns. Striving towards innovation, the firm crafts inventive, evocative buildings that resonate with their surroundings. By balancing functionality with aesthetic vision, Metropole Architects ensures its projects reflect a deep understanding of human needs and the environment.
Daffonchio Architects focuses on crafting sustainable, contextually responsive architecture that balances innovation with tradition. Inspired by diverse design influences, its approach combines classical principles with modern, parametric methods. This holistic approach ensures that every structure not only meets functional requirements but also contributes to environmental and social well-being, creating thoughtful, human-centered spaces.
frankie pappas is a collaborative architecture and design studio that fuses diverse talents to create distinctive, human-centered solutions. Its work spans various scales, from urban design and buildings to furniture and art. With a focus on thoughtful material selection and innovative methods, the studio crafts spaces and objects that resonate with its users. The studio's approach is grounded in collaboration and imagination, producing designs that elevate the everyday experience.
8. Meyer & Associates Architects, Urban Designers
Meyer & Associates is an architecture, interior design, and urban design firm. Its approach focuses on crafting contemporary, timeless structures that respond to the Cape's climate and context. The firm emphasizes material integrity, avoiding stylistic pastiche while creating innovative, functional designs. With a strong commitment to social change, it aims to address the needs of marginalized communities through responsible urban design and architecture that honors history while enabling future growth.
GSQUARED is an architectural firm known for its imaginative designs and client-focused approach located in Cape Town. Since its founding in 2006, the practice has specialized in luxury residential architecture, commercial developments, interior refurbishments, and furniture design. Its work emphasizes a site-specific and brief-driven methodology, avoiding borrowed styles.
Greg Wright Architects, founded in 1995, focuses on creating architecture that is both relevant and socially impactful. Its solution-driven approach is grounded in collaboration, ensuring innovative, client-focused results. Its projects spanning residential, hospitality, commercial, and mixed-use development, emphasize thoughtful material selection and site-specific design.
Kevin Lloyd Architects (KLA), founded in 2002, specializes in creating architecture that is enduring, engaging, and responsive to the client and the context. The firm focuses on natural spatial flow, proportions, and material selection to craft projects, from unique residential estates to complex commercial and industrial developments.
KLG Architects, founded by Köper Levin George, engages in residential, hospitality, educational, institutional, and master planning projects. With a focus on materiality, site exploration, and social impact, KLG Architects integrates feedback from the contracting side to refine its designs, ensuring flexibility and precision. Its projects like the Dune House and House Swanepoel emphasize a strong connection to the surrounding environment through sensitive design choices and use of natural materials like timber and brick.
ARRCC is an interior design studio specializing in residential, hospitality, and leisure projects. With a focus on materials and methods that emphasize detail and substance, the firm transforms briefs into elegant, modern interiors that balance luxury and timelessness. Its apartment design projects, Waterside and Parama, emphasize natural light, custom materials, and integration of art within minimalist, functional spaces.
Ludwig Hansen is dedicated to revitalizing urban environments in South Africa, focusing on projects in Johannesburg, Tshwane, and beyond. Its work emphasizes sustainable materials and design methods that integrate marginalized communities into the urban fabric. Notable projects include the Nelson Mandela Development Corridor and public transport facilities, utilizing local materials and adaptive methods.
15. Malan Vorster Architecture Interior Design
Malan Vorster Architecture Interior Design (Pty) Ltd emphasizes sustainable urban regeneration and community integration, focusing on marginalized groups. The firm employs resource-efficient materials and innovative construction techniques to address environmental constraints. Its projects like Paarman Tree House feature locally sourced materials like stone and timber, innovative structural techniques that respect the landscape, and a design ethos that enhances the residents' relationship with nature.
Kate Otten Architects focuses on creating architecture that responds to local conditions of materials, skills, climate, and context. Its projects span residential, commercial, and cultural sectors, including community libraries and art therapy centers. The firm emphasizes the use of local materials, sustainable practices, and site-specific designs, seeking an African architectural identity. Environmental and social sustainability is central to its work, ensuring a lasting impact on users and communities.
Fox Browne Creative combines innovative architecture, interior design, and hospitality operations with a focus on sustainability and lasting impact. The firm specializes in developing luxury lodges, private homes, and boutique hotels, with attention to guest experience from concept to completion. By blending natural materials and contemporary finishes the firm creates spaces that reflect sustainability, cost-effective solutions, and hospitality.
BLOC Architects focus on sustainability, integrating well-researched, practical responses to global environmental challenges. Its approach focuses on using technology to represent and test ideas, ensuring client collaboration and clear communication. BLOC's projects span various typologies and locations worldwide, including Miami, Chicago, Australia, and Southern Africa, reflecting its commitment to sustainable, adaptable architecture across diverse environments. This ensures innovative design solutions at every scale.
Since its establishment in 2000, Adjaye Associates, led by David Adjaye, has cultivated a diverse global team that thrives on a wide-ranging cultural dialogue. With studios in Accra, London, and New York, the practice has left its mark on projects across the world. The practice's architectural contributions exemplify a nuanced approach that integrates context, community, and culture on a global scale.
20. Mathews + Associates Architects
Mathews and Associates Architects, founded in 2000 by Dr. Pieter J Mathews, focuses on sustainability and site-specific responses, ensuring that each project is tailored to its context. Its projects like North-West University Vaal Campus and the Javett Art Centre emphasize contextual responsiveness and materiality. Both projects integrate public spaces and art and feature a solar-responsive design that integrates landscape and architecture. Its projects like North-West University Vaal Campus and the Javett Art Centre integrate public spaces and art and feature a solar-responsive design that integrates landscape and architecture.
Trend Group creates inspiring and functional spaces through a turnkey design and build approach. It selects materials such that it enhances the workflow and supports workplace strategies, maximizing return on investment. Its work, spanning office refurbishments, relocations, and expansions- integrates natural elements like timber and biophilic features with exposed structural components, balancing aesthetics and functionality.
22. Jenny Mills Architecture & Interiors
Jenny Mills Architects emphasizes sculpting spaces that harmonize with nature, integrating contemporary design into various styles, from classic to leisure. The firm is known for its use of materials that come together to form a thoughtful composition and for its ability to evoke a deep, visual response. Whether working with natural textures or modern finishes, its methods focus on maintaining a balance between artistry and functionality.
Local Studio seeks to create architecture that fosters public engagement and instills a sense of community. Its design philosophy emphasizes using locally sourced materials and sustainable methods, balancing aesthetics, function, and social impact. The firm focuses on developing projects that respond to urban contexts, with a portfolio including public buildings, urban design schemes, and private residences.
24. COA (Craft of Architecture)
COA Architects, based in Cape Town, emphasizes craftsmanship and a collaborative approach to design. Its hands-on methodology ensures attention to detail from concept to completion, using sustainable materials and innovative techniques to create timeless architecture. Its focus on simplicity, sustainability, and evolving design ensures that each project is innovative and enduring.
Slee & Co. Architects, founded in 1986, integrates vernacular architecture with advanced technologies to create designs that resonate with the surrounding environment. Its material palette is rooted in natural elements, using earth tones and textured finishes to reflect sunlight and climate responsiveness. Specializing in high-end residential projects, the firm applies sustainable principles by designing structures that manage heat, sunlight, and wind effectively.
The '25 best firms' series is curated by the Archello editorial team. The selection is based on a number of factors including the number of shortlisted and winning entries in the Archello Awards, the number of projects a firm has uploaded to its Archello profile, the number of projects that have been featured by Archello, as well as the size and quality of the projects included in each firm's Archello portfolio.
