Adele is director of design in the Johannesburg studio. She has a Bachelor of Consumer Science degree in Housing from Stellenbosch University, and a diploma in project management. Adele oversees all stages of each interior project from proposal, initiation and implementation, through to successful completion. She has a track record for on time delivery, accurate budgeting and excellent cost control for all of her projects.
Albert-John studied at the Nelson Mandela University, attended the St Lucas School of Arts in Ghent, Belgium, on an exchange programme and has completed various part-time urban design courses at the University of Cape Town. With 18 years’ experience in the industry, he has worked on varied local and international projects across scale, from master planning new city precincts to high-rise residential projects. AJ joined dhk in 2006 and is now an associate. His key focus is on delivery – interpreting the client brief, producing the necessary documentation and guiding the engineering disciplines, whilst keeping a close eye on programme and cost.
Anette has worked as a financial manager in the architectural industry since 1991 and joined dhk in 2001. She became financial director in 2009 and is responsible for the financial management of the company at all of the offices.
Aram studied architecture at the University of Venice, Italy. He joined dhk in 2008 and has been based at the Johannesburg office since May 2014. He has a wide range of experience working from new build and renovation projects through to large scale masterplanning and regeneration projects across the commercial, residential, civic and education sectors. He has worked extensively on dhk's projects in Northern Italy, and more recently on several new projects in Africa and South Africa. Aram is also an established product designer.
After graduating from the University of the Free State, Brinley worked in South Africa, Seychelles and Ireland. He joined dhk in 2008, and worked in the Johannesburg office from 2012 – 2015. He has experience in a wide range of project types, but his specialties include residential apartment buildings, housing and luxury hotel projects, concentrating on design, documentation and site management.
Claudia completed her M Arch (Prof) at the University of the Witwatersrand in 2010 and is a member of SACAP. She joined dhk in 2012 bringing her experience in design, master planning and advanced knowledge of Revit to the team which has proved valuable in the implementation and development of large-scale mixed-use developments. Claudia has worked on a wide range of projects both locally and internationally from conceptual to completion work stages.
Derick studied Building Studies at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, and Architecture at the University of Cape Town, and founded Derick Henstra Architects in 1983. dhk was established in 1998, to form a multi-disciplinary design studio.
Derick is the executive chairman of dhk, and as design principal together with Peter Fehrsen, he takes an active role in the design development of dhk’s projects across the board. He leads the design review board which examines the architectural projects throughout the company’s three studios. His passion lies in the pursuit of good architecture and design with a focus on the urban context, and under his leadership dhk has established a reputation as an innovative design driven commercial practice.
Ernst has a background in architecture as well as project management and property development. He has experience as an interior designer and project manager in commercial and retail architecture, having consulted to several major shopping centre developers and retail chains. He joined dhk in 2012 and heads up project management in the Cape Town interior studio.
Fahiema joined dhk in 2004 as an architectural technologist and has more than 15 years’ experience in the industry. She has been responsible for the detailing, documentation and coordination on a range of projects including hospitality, retail, residential and commercial buildings.
Fiona holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Accounting, with completed articles and has a background in auditing. She is responsible for managing and controlling the company finances, as well as overseeing the HR department. Her involvement extends to various aspects of project administration and she works closely with the project management team. Fiona has a keen knowledge of and interest in BEE and is the driving force behind the company’s transformation process. She also ensures that the company fulfills its numerous statutory obligations.
Guido has a Masters in Interior Architecture and has experience in both the architectural and interior design professions. He worked in Germany before joining dhk. As director of the interior design team at the Cape Town office, he drives the entire process behind each project, from establishing the brief and concept, preparing the technical documentation, and providing onsite supervision.
Guy has been Head of Urban Design at dhk since 2012, and sits on the dhk design review board. He was previously based in London, where he specialised in urban regeneration, development strategy, and master planning. Guy is a member of UDISA and sits on its steering committee, as well as the V&A Waterfront Design Review Committee. He is also a member of the Academy of Urbanism and a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts in the UK. He teaches at UCT, has been widely published, and regularly gives public presentations on regeneration, urbanism and sustainability.
Henry studied architecture at UCT and joined dhk in 2014. His focus lies in design and detail development, and his experience includes commercial, residential and cultural buildings throughout Africa and in Asia. Henry also currently teaches at UCT’s School of Architecture.
Joe studied architecture at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology and the University Cape Town. He joined dhk in 2001 and is currently managing several projects in Port Elizabeth, while based at the Cape Town studio. His extensive experience in the architectural profession has mainly included conceptual design, 3D presentations, graphics, marketing packages and detail design development. His design experience ranges from residential apartments, hotels, retail to office buildings.
Johan studied architecture at Cape Peninsula University of Technology and has more than 30 years’ experience as principal agent and project architect. With an extensive portfolio of work in commercial, retail and residential developments Johan has administered a number of projects under the JBCC contract. He has also worked on several private residential projects in a private capacity. Johan joined dhk in 2017 as an associate bringing a wealth of practical experience to the company.
John studied architecture at Wits University and leads the Johannesburg studio. He has extensive architectural experience and is involved in the delivery of large and small scale projects including mixed use and retail developments of significant complexity, and maintaining the highest professional and technical standards. John’s strategic thinking and experience in developing projects from inception through to commissioning, management of multidisciplinary teams and implementation delivers on client’s business objectives. He is experienced in sustainable development and masterplanning related to commercial, leisure and retail projects.
Martin studied architecture at the University of Cape Town before reading an MPhil in Environmental Design in Architecture and completing his RIBA Part 3 at the University of Cambridge. Martin is an associate director at dhk and has worked on a range of projects within the studio including Battery Park and 32 Napier Street. His primary focus for the future is on achieving high quality architectural solutions. Martin has been involved in a number of award-winning projects, both locally and internationally, and is a member of SACAP, SAIA, CIA, ARB and RIBA.
Peter studied architecture at the University of Cape Town and was a principal design partner at KCvR Architects before co-founding dhk in 1998. He leads the Johannesburg studio and travels between there and Cape Town. Together with Derick Henstra, he leads the design review board overseeing the design development of the studio’s projects. Peter brings his experience in conceptual design and masterplanning through to detailed design development to dhk’s projects across the board. He has been active in many significant urban renewal and projects in South Africa and abroad, and represents dhk’s projects in Italy.
Peter graduated from the Canterbury School of Architecture, and gained experience working in the United Kingdom, Germany and South Africa. He joined dhk in 2008 to expand the company’s input in the areas of sustainable architecture, master planning, urban design and delivery of sustainable developments. At dhk, he has full responsibility for delivering projects and maintaining the highest professional and technical standards across all stages of the project development process, and leads a team working on projects throughout South Africa.
Pierre studied architecture at the University of Cape Town, as well as University College London, UK. Prior to joining dhk in 2008, he worked for several highly respected architectural firms in London. He has extensive involvement in the design and implementation of projects at a wide range of scales and complexities, including residential developments, commercial office buildings, hotels, public buildings, and public spaces as well as master planning. He is familiar with all aspects of sustainable development from the design of individual buildings to larger scale developments.
Renske studied architecture at the University of Cape Town and has worked in South Africa, the UK and the Netherlands where she also gained experience in urban design. She joined dhk in 2006 and was appointed director in 2009. In 2014 Renske took on the role of managing director, and she sits on the dhk design review board. Renske has experience in a range of projects at varying scales and complexities, from spatial development frameworks and master planning to individual buildings, public spaces and landscapes. She leads a team working on several private residences, boutique hotels and galleries.
Rezah studied architecture at Cape Peninsula University of Technology and has also completed a heritage resource management course at UCT. He joined dhk in 2012 and has more than 11 years’ experience in commercial and residential sectors with a focus on design development, detailing and coordination.
Sarah is a Cape Town-based architect and urban designer who has spent the last 13 years working on urban design and architectural projects in both the public and private sectors. She is an associate director at dhk working within the Urban Design team.
Sarah is interested in the continuing debate on how to make urban environments more equitable and inclusive through the adaptation and refinement of both public and privately-owned spaces. More recently she has focused her energy on the education sector, particularly the spatial implications in designing for shifting pedagogies and the digital teaching environment.
Sarah has participated in public seminars, workshops and conferences around issues of housing, informal settlement upgrading, public infrastructure provision, public engagement, urban density and future learning environments.
Steve studied architectural technology at Cape Peninsula University of Technology. He joined dhk in 2004 following 14 years of experience in the industry. Steve is the technical director of the architectural studio, and leads one of dhk’s teams of architects, working on several large projects both locally and abroad. He has a proven track record in the successful documentation, implementation and delivery of medium and large scale projects in the commercial, retail, residential & hospitality sectors, and maintains the highest professional and technical standards across all stages of the project development process.
Trevor studied Construction Management and thereafter gained extensive experience in construction and project management within the interior design field. At dhk he is responsible for management of the interior design studio. His expertise extends to all stages involved in completing interior design projects, but particularly those related to programming, cost control, and construction management. His main focus is on large scale corporate and retail projects, and he has overseen numerous projects that involve the moving of large corporates to new premises.
Wardah studied architecture at Cape Peninsula University of Technology and has also completed a course in construction management. She joined dhk in 2006 and has been involved in a wide range of construction and building typologies across all stages of the architectural process.
