Build your career, stretch your mind, expand your horizons with us
Working at dhk means learning from some of South Africa’s best architects, urban designers and interior designers. In our studio, you’ll collaborate with experts, learn from the best, celebrate success together and stretch your mind from day one. We offer hands-on experience working on real projects in an award-winning multidisciplinary studio. With us, you’ll make a meaningful contribution to projects that shape cities, neighbourhoods and buildings across the country and beyond.
Here’s your (non-linear) pathway into practice
The process of building your career isn’t always a straight line, but here’s an overview of the steps you could take to achieve your design dreams when you work with the best in the business.
01 | school exposure
02 | go for gold
03 | undergrad support
04 | year out
05 | honours/masters
06 | start your career
07 | accelerate your progress
08 | advice from seasoned experts
09 | career growth: progression + global opportunities
01 | Job Shadowing
We host high school learners twice a year in our Johannesburg and Cape Town offices for two-day job-shadowing experiences. This offers a deep dive into life in our studio and into architecture, urban design and interior design as careers.
"What initially drew me to the built environment was the element of seeing a project develop into a useable space. Discovering that I could get involved earlier and see a project mature from concept to tangibility is what solidified my decision to pursue architecture as a career...What truly added value to the open day was the opportunity to speak to qualified architects and receive insight into and advice for the journey ahead." - Liam Groenewald
"Those two job-shadowing days gave me the chance to hear from professionals and ask the questions I really wanted answered. We also spoke to university students who'd recently been in our position. This was reassuring, since I was still uncertain about my future at the time, and it made me feel more confident and less alone." - Nazeerah Abrahams
Book your spot: people@dhk.co.za
[ subject line: job shadow enquiry ]
02 | Go For Gold
We’re the only architectural studio partnering with Go4Gold and we help aspiring architects from previously disadvantaged communities start a career in the built environment. For a year after matric you’ll learn about the industry from experienced professionals. Candidates leave with a stronger sense of direction and confidence in their study and career choices.
"For the most part, a typical day in studio was almost always different from the last. Each day provided me with a new opportunity to learn a new skill to further inform my career decision...Being in the office for the year helped prepare me for my academic journey. Due to the level of work I was exposed to by both students and professionals, I was able to develop and hold myself to a certain standard of work, which I believe will one day make me a professional capable of producing excellent work." - Kamva Mqeni
03 | Undergrad support
We provide guidance and support to our interns and student while they pursue their tertiary studies and early career journeys. This includes selected bursaries (Ts + Cs apply), and dedicated space and resources to facilitate work and learning within the studio. We encourage peer-to-peer mentorship, which makes a meaningful impact as students collaborate on their academic projects.
"Having access to the studio environment, resources and support made it easier for me to develop my ideas, work through challenges and complete my assignments to the best of my abilities. In studio, we were often given individual tasks where we had to develop our own designs, ideas and concepts. Working at the office helped me realise that architectural projects are much more collaborative. The more consistent you are with your work and your academic performance, the more opportunities you can create for yourself." - Joshua Smith
04 | Year out
Every year, we offer selected full-time paid internships to build your in-studio learning (Ts + Cs apply). You’ll work on live projects and develop your creative, technical and professional skills with support from experienced designers. It’s an excellent launchpad for your career.
"When I hear about real projects, I mainly see the final outcome or understand the project in theory. When I worked on one it gave me a much better understanding of the hard work that happens behind the scenes to achieve that final result. Working on real projects has taught me that architecture can be more pressure-filled and collaborative than I initially thought. There are constant decisions to be made, information to coordinate, changes to work through and deadlines to meet. It has also taught me the importance of getting things right from the start and being as accurate as possible, because that sets you up to finish the project strongly." - Boitumelo Langa
"In my experience, almost everyone I've worked alongside has guided me in some way, but Jennifer Rose and Samantha Titus stand out as my biggest mentors. The one thing I have learnt from both of them is the importance of drawing legibility, not merely in terms of technical accuracy but in maintaining a clean and cohesive visual presentation across every package I produce. This is a discipline I will carry forward as I progress in my professional career." - Michaella Godfrey
Secure your spot: email hello@dhk.co.za
[ subject line: internship enquiry ]
05 | Honours/Masters
We are committed to helping you achieve your academic goals while creating opportunities for your long-term career growth. We also offer bursaries for selected Honours and Masters’ candidates (Ts + Cs apply).
"My two years as an intern at dhk were the most inspiring and formative years of my learning so far. I first started by assisting my team with updates, following guidance closely when I was still finding my footing, and by the end of my internship, I was producing almost a full construction documentation package, with my work regularly reviewed in desk crit sessions and workshops with my mentors. My team has also helped with answering questions throughout the semesters and the office's broader resources and support have been there for me. I've never felt like I was figuring things out alone.It's the people and the culture of support that make me excited to return after postgrad. dhk has invested in my growth from day one through mentorship, real responsibility on projects and a genuine open-door approach whenever I've needed help. And I've still got so much to learn." - Emily Hume
Secure your post-grad support: email hello@dhk.co.za
[ subject line: honours/masters’ bursary enquiry]
06 | Start your career
We periodically hire candidates at earlier stages of their careers, depending on the needs of our studio and projects. They're exposed to a collaborative studio environment and have an opportunity to grow as professionals.
"Being able to engage with anyone in the studio and being afforded the time to interact with them and draw on the knowledge they possess has made a significant difference. Not being afraid to ask the questions you require information on, and having that wider support structure around you, has really contributed to my growth this year."
- Liam Gaillard
"The biggest support was the constant workshopping and collaboration with the broader team. Being able to regularly discuss ideas, receive feedback, and learn from colleagues helped me develop my skills, build confidence and better understand my role within the practice." - Britani Kahn
Secure your dream job
[ open roles in cape town + johannesburg ]
07 | Accelerate Your Progress
Mentorship is in our DNA. With us, you'll work with architects, urban designers, interior designers and technical specialists who will mentor and support you. Our goal is to help you become a well-rounded designer with confidence in your creativity and in your technical proficiency.
"dhk has given me an opportunity to grow significantly in my career as an architect. When I started nine years ago as an intern, I never imagined that I would one day become a professional architect and take on the role of project lead. The people around me have played a significant role in that journey, instilling in me a quiet confidence and belief in my abilities."
- Sam Titus
"dhk has supported me throughout my journey by providing mentorship and giving me the time I needed to study and attend the Professional Practice Exam. They also created groups where those preparing for the exam could come together, support one another through the demands and stress of studying, ask questions, and share resources. More recently, dhk has supported my decision to return to postgraduate studies, which I plan to complete in 2027, while continuing my path towards becoming a professional architect. Having that support and encouragement from my workplace has made a significant difference in being able to pursue this next step." - Rachael da Fonseca
08 | Advice From Seasoned Experts
Your portfolio should showcase your creative potential. It’s the first introduction to you as a designer, how you approach problems and what inspires your work. We support design reviews, crit sessions and portfolio reviews at universities, student events and industry events throughout the year.
"The biggest mistake I am picking up with the graduate portfolios I recieve is probably too many renders and images. As a personal preference, I like to see more of the design thinking behind the project. Show me how you arrived at an idea, not just the polished end result. I like seeing someone who can pick up a pen and communicate an idea, alongside computer drafting, diagrams and other digital skills. That range tells me much more about how they think and solve problems. Another common mistake is simply including too much information that doesn’t really say anything. Every page should have a purpose." - Wardah Razak
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09 | Career Growth: Progression + Global Opportunities
When you join dhk, you join a leading South African practice with the opportunities of a global network. Through the 10n Collective created by Egis, we're connected to design studios in 22 other locations around the world. This opens doors for collaboration, knowledge sharing and exposure to global perspectives. If you’re curious about the world beyond our borders, dhk is the best place for you.
"I don’t think career growth is only about moving up the ladder or getting a new title. It is also about continuously learning and building your expertise. We have opportunities such as BIM training, external speakers and design dialogue sessions, and there is a lot of knowledge within the studio that people can learn from. For me, becoming more knowledgeable and capable is just as important as vertical progression." - Liziwe Namba
Get to know our local leaders from the global collective
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