cape town, johannesburg, rsa
(   est. 1998   )
dhk
architecture, urban design, interior design

our studio

We’re fueled by curiosity and creativity. We seek to improve the quality of the built environment with subtle, yet confident designs characterised by clean lines and forms linked inextricably with function. Each design is unique, crafted to add commercial, social and aesthetic value while expressing our responsibility to safeguard the planet, nurture our team and enhance the lives of people who use the spaces we create.
Design dna 
Our strength as a design-led studio arises from a unique blend of creative talent, technical capability, implementation expertise and commercial strategy. We have a collaborative mindset and a global outlook. We’re always exploring new possibilities in advanced technologies, materials and design forms. We’re committed to being involved from first sketch to final construction, adding value at every stage. Each design is intentionally integrated into its unique social, environmental, cultural and functional context with quiet confidence and understated flair.
Design dna 
Our strength as a design-led studio arises from a unique blend of creative talent, technical capability, implementation expertise and commercial strategy. We have a collaborative mindset and a global outlook. We’re always exploring new possibilities in advanced technologies, materials and design forms. We’re committed to being involved from first sketch to final construction, adding value at every stage. Each design is intentionally integrated into its unique social, environmental, cultural and functional context with quiet confidence and understated flair.

what we do

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hospitality
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Create welcoming spaces that blend guest comfort with refined sophistication, aligned with the operator’s brand ethos and operational requirements.
hospitality
Create welcoming spaces that blend guest comfort with refined sophistication, aligned with the operator’s brand ethos and operational requirements.
interior design
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Through dhk Interior Design, create interior spaces that provide lasting value through materiality, sustainable design and sophisticated detailing.
interior design
Through dhk Interior Design, create interior spaces that provide lasting value through materiality, sustainable design and sophisticated detailing.
mixed-use
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Build dynamic urban communities by weaving together living, working and leisure spaces designed to respond to their diverse functional needs.
mixed-use
Build dynamic urban communities by weaving together living, working and leisure spaces designed to respond to their diverse functional needs.
office
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Design progressive workplaces that inspire collaboration, enhance wellbeing and adapt to the evolving needs of employers and employees alike.
office
Design progressive workplaces that inspire collaboration, enhance wellbeing and adapt to the evolving needs of employers and employees alike.
public + education
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Shape inclusive, future-ready environments designed to nurture learning and enhance the experience of the people who use them.
public + education
Shape inclusive, future-ready environments designed to nurture learning and enhance the experience of the people who use them.
residential
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Deliver considered spaces that enrich daily life and optimise value for developers through innovative space planning and sustainable construction.
residential
Deliver considered spaces that enrich daily life and optimise value for developers through innovative space planning and sustainable construction.
retail
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Design engaging retail environments that create memorable customer experiences and support successful commercial outcomes.
retail
Design engaging retail environments that create memorable customer experiences and support successful commercial outcomes.
sustainable
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Infuse sustainability throughout our design process, empowering clients and teams and embedding environmental principles from project inception to create meaningful outcomes that enhance health, economic and social value.
sustainable
Infuse sustainability throughout our design process, empowering clients and teams and embedding environmental principles from project inception to create meaningful outcomes that enhance health, economic and social value.
urban design
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Enhance urban lifestyles through integrated masterplans that prioritise people, promote inclusive public spaces and build vibrant, healthy communities.
urban design
Enhance urban lifestyles through integrated masterplans that prioritise people, promote inclusive public spaces and build vibrant, healthy communities.

meet the team

awards

2024
The Rubik
Best high-end Residential
Best high-end Residential
API Awards Finalist
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2024
Ellipse Waterfall
Best high-end residential
Best high-end residential
API Awards Finalist
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2024
Grand Hotel
Best Interiors
Best Interiors
API Awards Finalist
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2024
Old Cape Quarter
Best mixed-use development
Best mixed-use development
API Awards Finalist
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2024
Conradie Park
Best mixed-use development
Best mixed-use development
API Awards Finalist
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2024
Renske Haller, dhk MD
Woman in Real Estate
Woman in Real Estate
API Awards Finalist
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2024
Radisson Red
Hospitality Build of the Year
Hospitality Build of the Year
Scape Awards Finalist
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2024
Conradie Parks
Collaboration of the year
Collaboration of the year
Scape Awards Finalist
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2024
dhk architects
Architectural Firm of the Year
Architectural Firm of the Year
Scape Awards Finalist
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2023
Old Cape Quarter
Award for Architecture
Award for Architecture
CIfA Winner
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2023
35 Lower Long
Commendation for Architecture
Commendation for Architecture
CIfA Winner
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2023
Conradie Park Social Housing
Award for Architecture
Award for Architecture
CIfA Winner
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2023
Radisson Red
Award of Excellence
Award of Excellence
Gauteng Institute for Architecture Award Winner
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2023
Radisson Red
Architecture Award of Merit
Architecture Award of Merit
Gauteng Institute for Architecture Award Winner
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2023
Old Oak at Royal Johannesburg
Award of Merit
Award of Merit
Gauteng Institute for Architecture Award Winner
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2023
Arup, 6 Parks Boulevard
Award of Commendation
Award of Commendation
Gauteng Institute for Architecture Award Winner
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2023
Ellipse Waterfall
Innovative Excellence
Innovative Excellence
SAPOA Award for innovative Excellence Winner
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2022
Old Cape Quarter
The Best Project
The Best Project
Construction World Winner
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2022
Conradie Parks
Residential Development of the Year
Residential Development of the Year
Reside Property Development Award Winner
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2022
35 Lower Long
Best Commercial Office Development
Best Commercial Office Development
SAPOA Award for Innovative Excellence Winner
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2022
Old Cape Quarter
Overall Heritage
Overall Heritage
SAPOA Award for Innovative Excellence Winner
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2021
32 on Kloof
Overall Heritage
Overall Heritage
SAPOA Award for Innovative Excellence Winner
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2021
Parklands College "Innovation and Learning Centre"
Other Developments
Other Developments
SAPOA Award for Innovative Excellence Winner
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2020
32 on Kloof
Concepts - Plus-Architecture +Preservation
Concepts - Plus-Architecture +Preservation
Architizer A+ Award Winner
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2020
Delaire Graff Owner's Villa and Lodges
Best Hotels in Africa
Best Hotels in Africa
Conde Nast Traveler: Reader's Choice Award Winner
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2020
Capitec Bank HQ
Highly Commended
Highly Commended
Construction World's Best Projects Award Winner
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2019
Sable Park
Architecture
Architecture
A' Bronze Design Award
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2019
Axis
Architecture
Architecture
A' Bronze Design Award Winner
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2019
Norval Foundation
Architecture Award
Architecture Award
A' Gold Design Award Winner
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2019
Battery Park
Landscape Design
Landscape Design
A' Silver Design Award Winner
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2019
Battery Park
Concepts - Plus-Architecture + Urban Transformation
Concepts - Plus-Architecture + Urban Transformation
Architizer A+ Award Finalist
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2019
Sable Park
Details - Plus-Architecture + Cantilever
Details - Plus-Architecture + Cantilever
Architizer A+ Special Mention
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2019
Norval Foundation
Innovation in Concrete
Innovation in Concrete
Fulton Award Winner
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2019
Battery Park
Buildings Greater than 3-Storeys
Buildings Greater than 3-Storeys
Fulton Award Winner
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2019
Norval Foundation
Silver
Silver
Loerie Award Winner
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2019
Battery Park
Overall Heritage
Overall Heritage
SAPOA Award for Innovative Excellence Winner
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2019
Sable Park
Office Developments Commercial
Office Developments Commercial
SAPOA Award for Innovative Excellence Winner
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2019
Norval Foundation
Other Developments
Other Developments
SAPOA Awards for Innovative Excellence Winner
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2017
Waterway House
Commendation
Commendation
CIfA Award Winner
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2016
Paardevlei Lifestyle Estate
Highly Commended Development
Highly Commended Development
International Property Awards Winner
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2016
Dainfern Square
Shopping centers less than 20,000 meters-squared
Shopping centers less than 20,000 meters-squared
SACSC Retail Design + Development Award Winner
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2015
Drostdy Hotel
Regional
Regional
Eastern Cape Institute of Architects Award Winner
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2015
Newtown Junction
Overall Winner
Overall Winner
SAPOA Award for Innovative Excellence Winner
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2015
Drostdy Hotel
Heritage
Heritage
SAPOA Award for Innovative Excellence Winner
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2015
Newtown Junction
Transformation
Transformation
SAPOA Award for Innovative Excellence Winner
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2015
Newtown Junction
Mixed-use
Mixed-use
SAPOA Award for Innovative Excellence Winner
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2014
De Velde
Residential Development
Residential Development
International Property Awards Winner
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2012
UWC Life Sciences Building
Public + Education
Public + Education
SAIA Awards for Excellence Winner
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2011
UWC Life Sciences Building
Architecture
Architecture
CIfA Award Winner
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2011
Taj Palace Hotel
Other Category
Other Category
SAPOA Award for Innovative Excellence Commendation
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2011
UWC Life Sciences Building
Other Development
Other Development
SAPOA Award for Innovative Excellence Winner
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2010
15 on Orange
Architecture
Architecture
High Commendation - Leisure + Hospitality
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2010
Montclare
Mixed-use
Mixed-use
SAPOA Award For Innovative Excellence Merit
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2010
Melrose Arch Piazza
Mixed-Use
Mixed-Use
SAPOA Award for Innovative Excellence Merit
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2010
Boulevard Office Park
Commercial
Commercial
SAPOA Award for Innovative Excellence Winner
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2010
15 on Orange
Mixed-use
Mixed-use
SAPOA Award for Innovative Excellence Winner
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2009
Melrose Arch Piazza
25000sqm
25000sqm
Retail Design + Development Award Winner
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2009
Ahmed Baba Institute
International Development
International Development
SAPOA Award for Innovative Excellence Merit
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2009
Melrose Arch, Galleria Roof
for Tubular Structures
for Tubular Structures
Steel Tube & Pipe Manufacturers Steel Award Winner
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2007
Ahmed Baba Institute
Outstanding Design in Architecture
Outstanding Design in Architecture
Architecture South Africa Project Award Winner
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2006
UCT Chemical Engineering Building
SAIA Merit Award Winner
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2006
CTICC
SAIA Merit Award Winner
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2005
UCT Engineering Building
Commendation
Commendation
CIfA Merit Award Winner
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2005
CTICC
CIfA Merit Award Winner
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why work at dhk?
Building a leading studio at the forefront of our industry is about more than producing outstanding design. It’s also about building an outstanding team. 
In the studio, we actively cultivate a stimulating environment where people want to work. A studio that grows talent, challenges ideas and supports innovative engagement. It’s a diverse, creative environment that offers opportunities for personal and professional growth. 
We foster a culture of progressive design, high-performance and future-focused thinking that positively impacts the lives and careers of our people. We encourage our teams to test ideas and embrace new technologies, materials, sustainability principles and new methods of design and construction.
We support the development of future talent through our involvement in the industry-wide Go for Gold initiative, as well as mentorship, training and development programmes. We create connections with peers and colleagues outside the office through sporting and social events – and we make great coffee! 
[
work with us
]

journal

people
celebrating women 24/7/365
The history of the commemoration of Women’s Day is a vital reminder of how important women’s voices are in driving change. But we also agree that women’s contribution to our business, industry and society needs to be acknowledged, recognised, celebrated and exposed on every day of the year.
insights
architecture.za conference: key themes and takeaways
The AZA2025 conference in Johannesburg revealed a profession at a crossroads, wrestling with tradition, disruption and an expanding definition of architectural practice. Three central themes emerged from under the umbrella of Architecture Meets Us/Planet/Future.
press
dhk Architects wins two prestigious development awards for Longkloof Precinct
dhk Architects was awarded two wins at the Africa Property Investment Awards in a ceremony held in Cape Town last night.