About the practice
We're a small architecture practice situated in Pretoria. We focus mainly on offices, schools, new homes. (That's commercial, educational and residential projects in Architecture Language).
With 10 years' experience in the architecture environment, Heleen du Toit's skills have been honed around a variety of large and small projects, where she's gained valuable experience in design, technical solutions and construction contract administration. Heleen ventured on her own in 2011, which means that the training wheels are long gone and she still loves every minute of it!
As the principal in the practice, Heleen believes in thoughtful, contemporary design, energy-efficient principles and site-specific solutions.
Collaborating with our residential clients is paramount to our design process. This ensures the design solutions are set around your aspired lifestyle, budget and personal taste. For our commercial and educational clients we bring years of expertise to the table to ensure the architecture stays true to its function, within a client's brand and within budget.
We believe in staying up-to-date with the newest products, materials and methods and in continuously expanding our knowledge by regularly attending industry-specific conferences and workshops aimed at architects.
If you want us to form part of the team for your project; whether your home needs a face-lift, you're planning a medium-to-large commercial investment or just require an on-site consultation, visit the services and contact pages for more information.
More about Heleen
“I had 5 years working as a senior architectural technologist under my belt when I started my own firm as a Professional Architect. I formed part of teams on projects ranging from university residences, police stations and even had the great opportunity to work on the design and construction documentation of a soccer stadium.”
“Architecture came to me quite by accident! After travelling for four years post-matric, I realised that most of my photographs were of places, spaces and buildings. Lots and lots of buildings! My fate was sealed!”
“I truly believe that architecture should not be seen as elitist or reserved as a luxury service to a select few. It really does wrap itself around our every-day lives. Whether it's the design of a well thought-out ablution block, storage space, a home designed around the way your family really lives (embracing or taming that chaos), or a school where the learning and playing is evident in the structure: architecture forms the backbone to every community and society as a whole.”
Qualifications
2010: M-Tech Arch Prof (TUT)
2005: B-Tech Applied Design (CPUT)
2004: N.Dip Architectural Technology (CPUT)
Why you should want to use an architect
The term ‘architect’ is often incorrectly used to describe anybody that provides a drawing service. According to the Architectural Profession Act No. 44 of 2000, only a registered professional architect may refer to themselves as such. Anyone else using the term is in contravention of the Act. Using a South African Council for the Architectural Profession (SACAP) registered architect means that you are appointing a professional person that has undertaken a 6 year university degree, a two year training internship, under the mentorship of a professional architect, and has passed the professional practice entrance examination. A registered architect agrees to the code of conduct as set out by the Council and should furnish you with their Professional Indemnity Insurance.
Architects are fully trained and competent in design, planning, construction technology, construction law and administration of building contracts.