The women significantly contributing to dhk’s large-scale new projects

National Women’s Day in South Africa is celebrated annually on 9 August. The public holiday commemorates the country’s 1956 Women’s March and pays respect to the sacrifices, triumphs and contributions women have made towards society. dhk credits much of its success not only to the remarkable female partners and senior associates at the helm of the studio but the highly skilled and dedicated women working in the studio trenches. Here, we spotlight several women who are intrinsic to some of dhk’s latest new work…

Brogan Bradfield – Urban Designer + Professional Town Planner

Brogan, an urban designer and town planner at dhk, was part of the winning Conradie Park Bid Consortium. One of the five ‘game-changer projects’ within the Western Cape, the 22.1ha project required rigorous urban design efforts to guarantee delivery of dignified and integrated spaces while ensuring that it remained financially feasible. Brogan was involved in the formation of the urban design framework and the master plan of the site, as well as generating the precinct plans for the planning application. 

Claudia Mela – Senior Architect / Associate

Claudia is an architect and associate at dhk, as well as a key member of the Johannesburg studio. She is leading the teams working on Oxford Parks, a 300,000 m² new pedestrianised precinct, as well as Ellipse Waterfall, a 620-unit apartment complex in Waterfall City. She oversees the design, coordination, documentation and construction of both projects in-line with the client’s brief and in compliance with statutory regulations.  Her key responsibilities entail managing project teams, chairing team meetings, preparing local authority submissions and managing the planning and delivery processes.

Ilona Botes – Architect

Ilona is an architect and a critical member of the team working on the mixed-use Longkloof Precinct in Cape Town. She works alongside the partners steering the project and is responsible for the full architectural design package required for client and hotel operator sign-off, requisite council and heritage submissions. She also worked closely with the client, hotel operator and interior designers, on the design development, interior look-and-feel of common areas, retail, back-of-house areas and an important and complex part of a large prestigious hotel.  

Stefania Siniscalchi – Landscape Architect

A leading landscape architect at dhk, Stefania is currently working on several large-scale projects within the Cape Town studio. Her portfolio of work includes guiding the landscaping at Conradie Park, focussing on the courtyard spaces and planting strategy, as well as steering the park design and planting for Balwin residential developments, The Huntsman and Fynbos. Stefania is also working on the hard and soft landscaping throughout the entire Longkloof Precinct, as well as developing the precinct branding and identity – bringing life to the 112-year-old revitalised heritage site. 

Wardah Razak – Senior Architectural Technologist / Associate

A senior architectural technologist, Wardah is involved in all stages of the architectural process, particularly the technical development and detailing across a wide range of building typologies. Working alongside dhk’s head of technical design, she is currently building dhk’s library of details and feeding the IP into new projects to ensure maximum efficiency. Wardah champions the Go for Gold initiative which provides students from disadvantaged communities the opportunity to enhance their architectural education through a year-long internship at dhk and mentorship throughout their tertiary education. 

Sarah Tarr – Architect

Sarah is the project architect on Sable Corner, an A-grade five-storey commercial building that forms a gateway into Century City. Sarah has been involved in the project since its inception in 2016, from the design phase to its completion this year. Her role was to seamlessly integrate the compelling design vision with the opportunities and limitations that the site and project provided, as well as to consider economic realities. Her contribution resulted in an attractive, high-quality and cost-effective landmark commercial building.