At dhk, we’re known for designing landmark projects across multiple sectors, from concept to completion. We have an impressive project portfolio, but what truly sets us apart is our team. We’re proud of our people and believe in celebrating their work. In this article, we're profiling Associate Sarah Tarr, who has been with the studio for 10 years. We asked her about her work and her journey over the past decade.
Tell us a bit about your background?
Sarah Tarr (ST): I graduated with a Master of Architecture at the University of Cape Town in 2014. Having worked for various architecture firms, gaining experience on various commercial and residential projects in Namibia and briefly in Australia, I joined dhk in 2015 as a Professional Architect and was promoted to Associate in 2024.
What kind of projects have you been involved in since joining the studio?
ST: I’m part of team Stokes [the architectural team led by dhk Partner Peter Stokes] at dhk. Our team conceptualises the designs of large mixed-use developments, large residential schemes, retail and hospitality developments and transport-related projects in various locations throughout Africa. Over the years, I’ve contributed to projects in the education sector, such as the recently completed Bishops Diocesan College in Cape Town and a new private school in Lydenburg. My first major project at dhk includes the conversion of the Triangle House office in 2017, from offices to the Radisson Blu Hotel and Residence in the Cape Town CBD (now known as Pullman Cape Town City Centre). dhk has particular expertise in adaptive reuse projects, which introduce contemporary additions to inject new life into existing historical buildings. I believe this project was pivotal in understanding the complexities of adaptive re-use and high-rise buildings.
I’ve also contributed to the award-winning Conradie Park mixed-use development in Cape Town and several office buildings in the Bridgeways Precinct in Century City, Cape Town, most notably Sable Corner as well as the recently launched Canal Plaza, a new commercial office development in Century City.
Could you tell us more about the two education projects you mentioned and share any challenges or lessons you've learned along the way?
ST: Educational projects can be very nostalgic. Everyone has their own experience with an educational institution, so they have underlying expectations of how it should feel or how the spaces should function. While engaging with the buildings for each of these two very different school clients, I enjoyed challenging and expanding my own perceptions of modern educational spaces.
Each of these schools also presented very different challenges in terms of siting and scale. Schools are often misunderstood in terms of their complexity, but the unique site challenges had profound impacts on each design. Shifting these into moments of opportunity was the real joy of the architecture.
At Bishops, the key challenge was linking the old campus buildings with their main thoroughfares to the new Ubuntu Learning Centre, located at the heart of the campus. We needed to retain flexibility in the new teaching spaces and a visual connection to the historical campus.
At Eastern Hills, the nature of the site presented a unique challenge. Platforming on a steep gradient and using a triangular shaped site efficiently to create a large campus masterplan is not in itself unique. However, breaking down the site in level changes that can be integrated into the design of easily replicable buildings makes the project feel hierarchical and highly legible to users. We designed on the principle of introducing small steps to spaces for small people, contrasted with large grand level gestures to reach the main hall. This approach created moments of difference and delight throughout the campus. Unifying the design with a simple architectural material palette and form completes the campus feel.
What’s on the drawing board at the moment?
ST: I’m working on a new urban block building in Cape Town, featuring over 240 luxury apartments as well as retail spaces at street levels.
That’s a completely different project from the two schools! How would you describe your approach to design?
ST: I consider myself to be an all-rounder. I’m focused on expanding my knowledge of projects at a holistic level. While I enjoy the aesthetic and design aspects, I believe that delivery is key. I equally enjoy the process of taking designs from concept to development reality.
Do you have a favourite dhk project and why? Or is that an unfair question?
ST: Generally, it’s an unfair question. But if I had to choose, I would say Battery Park [a 12 000m² urban park situated at a key entranceway to the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town]. If you were to oversimplify it, it's a parking garage with a park on top, but it by no means feels that way. In my view, that makes good architecture. It’s a space with well-thought out thresholds and interfaces, integrating complex historical, urban and modern requirements.
Is there a moment that stands out for you from the past ten years you've been at dhk?
ST: Yes, I have two, one more personal and one more professional. The first was the experience of standing inside Sable Corner. It was the first green site building project I was involved in from conception to completion. I was there when the façade was being completed and felt a sense of pride seeing the outcome finally coming together. This is something fairly unique to architecture. The second is my surprise office baby shower. I have been lucky to always work with wonderful people who put their heart into this.
How would you sum up the past ten years at dhk?
ST: I've grown and learned so much from the dhk team over the past ten years and am happy to continue learning from the experience and passion of the team.