SAOTA

30/10/2026

An Evening at the Table, in partnership with Poliform.
 
As part of the October programme at Shaped by Place, presented in partnership with Poliform, we hosted an intimate dinner for a specially invited group of guests and Poliform executives. Set within the exhibition space, the evening brought everyone together around the table, surrounded by the stories and work marking 40 years of SAOTA.
 
Our longstanding relationship with Poliform is grounded in a shared commitment to considered design, material integrity, craftsmanship and attention to detail. Poliform’s support as our exhibition partner was a natural extension of this relationship, and the dinner offered an opportunity to mark the occasion together.
 
 

30/10/2026

The Shaped by Place October talks programme has drawn to a close after four weeks of conversations that extended the exhibition through discussion and exchange.
 
Across the programme, SAOTA Principals were joined by Peter Rich, Chanel Besson, Nigel Savel and Sher’Neil Savel of 9Miles, John Wilson-Harris of CIfA, Martin Kruger, Henri Comrie and Akheel Kahn, bringing different perspectives to questions of place and practice, social impact, architectural legacy and the evolving role of technology in design. 
 
Our sincere thanks to each of our speakers for sharing their knowledge, experience and perspectives, and to everyone who joined us for the conversations.
 
A special thank you to Poliform, our exhibition partner, for their continued support of Shaped by Place.

27/10/2026

Aqeeq, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
 
Inspired by the layered geometry of an agate stone, Aqeeq is conceived as a series of fragmented volumes that break down the building’s mass, filtering light and casting shifting shadows across the architecture.
 
Set within Riyadh’s evolving urban landscape, the office building creates moments of privacy and shade while establishing a distinct architectural identity. Earth-toned materials and textured surfaces further connect the architecture to its setting and to the natural formation that inspired its design.
 
SAOTA project Team: Greg Truen, Danny Bester, Hannah Mullins, Scott Pornss

20/10/2026

A look back at Architecture, Power & Justice, our recent conversation as part of the Shaped by Place series.
 
SAOTA Principal Mark Bullivant joined Nigel and Sher’Neil Savel, co-founders of 9Miles, to explore the relationship between architecture, education and social impact.
 
Drawing on the 9Miles Learning Centre, the discussion reflected on how design can support access, dignity and community empowerment, creating lasting value beyond the building itself.
 
Thank you to our speakers and everyone who joined us at Brundyn Arts & Culture.
 
We look forward to continuing these conversations this Wednesday, 21 October, with Modern Architecture in the Cape, the next discussion in our Shaped by Place series.

20/10/2026

We recently welcomed Yinjispace 印际 back to Cape Town for the 2026 InTour 谷行 South Africa Study Tour, continuing a design exchange developed over five visits to SAOTA.
 
Across the week, the group joined studio conversations with SAOTA, _arrcc and OKHA Design Studio and visited a selection of SAOTA-designed residences. Guided by the architects, these visits explored how each project responds to Cape Town’s terrain, climate and views through light, materials and the relationship between interior and exterior.
 
ARRCC Principal Jon Case shared the studio’s approach to interior architecture, exploring materiality, sensory experience and the connection between interiors and their architectural and natural surroundings.
 
The programme also included a visit to the exhibition Shaped by Place: 40 Years of Architectural Practice, where Greg Truen offered insight into the people, places and ideas that have shaped SAOTA’s work over four decades.
 
Thank you to YINJISPACE and everyone who joined us from China for another week of shared ideas and conversation.

19/10/2026

14/10/2026

We’re proud that 9Miles Learning Centre has received the SCAPE Award for Unbuilt Project of the Year.
 
The award adds to a growing body of recognition for the project in 2026, including a WAFX Award in the Power & Justice category, a shortlist in Future Projects: Education at the World Architecture Festival, and selection as a finalist in the Architecture Hunter Awards, Unbuilt & Concepts: Institutional Facilities category.
 
9Miles continues to be recognised for the ambition behind the project and its focus on architecture, education and social impact.

Thank you to SCAPE for recognising 9Miles and celebrating the people and projects shaping South Africa’s built environment.
 
SCAPE Magazine Scape Awards of Excellence 9Miles Project
 
SAOTA Project Team: Mark Bullivant, Stefan Antoni, Edward Peike, Enran Frankenfeld, Lichumile Monakali, Kiara Skors, Alex Pienaar, Janka van Zyl, Peter Harel.

13/10/2026

In our 40th year, we’re proud to receive the SCAPE Award for Large Architecture Firm of the Year.
 
This award follows the 2026 SAIA Gold Medal for Architecture, the highest honour conferred by the South African Institute of Architects, presented for the first time to a practice rather than an individual architect.
 
This recognition honours the collective work of our team and the clients, collaborators and partners who have helped shape SAOTA over four decades.
 
Thank you to SCAPE for bringing South Africa’s architecture and design community together to celebrate the people and projects shaping our built environment.

12/10/2026

Last week at Shaped by Place.
 
From exhibition tours and student engagement to conversations on architecture, education and social impact, here’s a look back at some of last week’s highlights.
 
Swipe through to see what happened and what’s still to come throughout October.
 
In partnership with Poliform, Shaped by Place continues to create opportunities for dialogue, reflection and exchange around architecture and design.
 
The exhibition is remains open at Brundyn Arts & Culture, 21 Church Street, Cape Town, until 31 October. Admission is free.
 
Opening times
Monday to Friday: 10:00 to 17:00
Saturday: 10:00 to 16:00
Sunday: Closed
 
Poliform The Excellence Group Yinjispace 印际 InTour 谷行 9Miles Project
 
# SAOTA40