I have been fortunate to have lived through contrasting geographical and cultural contexts and experiences in the United Kingdom, United States, South Africa, Nigeria and Botswana. The privilege of an international life and career allowed me to develop a global awareness whilst providing opportunities for critical personal reflection and insight. This multi-cultural life path has brought a richer understanding of my clients across diverse spaces.
As an architect, my experience spans cultural institutions, commercial offices and private residences, with a particular passion for large-scale civic buildings. I currently lead Global Business Development at John McAslan & Partners in London. In this dynamic role, I work across building sectors around the world with a focus on venturing into new markets. Prior to this, I worked as a Senior Project Lead at the globally-renowned firm, Adjaye Associates. There, I managed a small team through the design phase of a large cultural development in Saudi Arabia. Before this role, I worked as Associate Director at dhk Architects, one of the largest architecture practices in South Africa, where I led the design of multiple award-winning buildings. My interest in large-scale developments was catalyzed when, early in my career, I joined the bespoke residential design firm, SAOTA where I was offered the rare opportunity to work alongside the company’s Design Director in developing Kingsway Tower in Lagos, Nigeria; thus allowing my design ability to flourish.
I enjoy the challenge of unpacking complex briefs and distilling clear architectural concepts and narratives. Over the course of my career, this skill has been tested and refined and has served me well, especially working at firms with significantly different focuses and agendas. This diversity of experience has allowed me to engage with different approaches to architecture at varying scales. It has also afforded me the experience of tackling design in diverse cultural settings across Europe, Africa, Asia and the Middle East.
“I enjoy the challenge of unpacking complex briefs and distilling clear architectural concepts and narratives.”
Beyond architectural practice, I lectured at the University of Cape Town (UCT) School of Architecture for three years and have been part of masterclasses at the university’s Graduate School of Business, and Graduate School of Architecture. I completed my architectural education at UCT, where I graduated cum laude with a Masters degree. My thesis dissertation examined high-rise design in the city’s complex climatic and geological setting. With a strong passion for critical writing, I spent a few years writing for independent journals in Cape Town in my spare time.
My design sensibility, writing and thinking have also developed through BeFront Magazine. This is a design publication I founded in 2015, showcasing art, architecture and film. Since its inception, I have served as Editor-in-Chief and, with my team, have attracted a global audience across six continents. BeFront Magazine has opened various engagements, talks, panels and initiatives in design institutions such as ELLE Decoration, the Shnit Short Film festival and the American Architecture Prize Jury.