This January, and back by demand, we re-present The SCAPE 100 issue. This isn’t just any 100 list — this is THE list that celebrates 100 influencers who are shaping the world of design, architecture, and interiors. From visionary designers to iconic architects, taste makers, artists, and makers, this issue is your definitive guide to the trailblazers who are key contributors to the future of the industry. We’re honouring the importance of issues like these because, amidst our busy lives and the serious content we explore through our curated issues, recognition matters.
Disclaimer: This issue is curated in no particular order. It doesn’t discredit the hundreds of exceptional architects and designers from issues past and future. It’s simply a means of showcasing the people and firms we’ve been watching — and we’ve been so thrilled with what we’ve seen that we want to share these industry leaders with you!
51. DAVID TALBOT
Founder and Principal, Platform
Cape Town
With a restless creativity that has propelled him from studios in London and Dublin, to part of the senior leadership at dhk Architects locally, David founded Platform in 2018 as a multi-disciplinary consultancy that goes beyond traditional architectural boundaries. His work reimagines how we interact with our built environment, from inspiring residential designs to ambitious commercial developments. David brings a refined and crucial understanding of sustainability to every project, blurring the lines between architectural design, real estate, and development.
Photography by Terence Orpen
52. ENRIKE DE WET
Founder and Lead Interior Architect,Sketch Studio
Johannesburg
Enrike doesn’t do ordinary. As the founder of Sketch Interior Architecture, she has carved out a bold niche in the hospitality industry, blending storytelling, style, and meticulous attention to detail. From her early days in South Africa to leading international projects in Dubai, Enrike’s return to Johannesburg marked the start of something significant — Sketch’s debut project, Proud Mary, which remains a flagship for the firm. Winner of the Emerging Firm of the Year award at the 2024SCAPE Awards of Excellence, Sketch has already tackled over80 projects — and they’re only just warming up!
53. PETER URRY
Director, Malan Vorster Architecture Interior Design
Cape Town
Peter Urry’s commendable career began when he emerged from CPUT as an Architectural Technologist and Interior Architect. Having launched his professional life at Meyer and Vorster Architects in 2005, he went on to step into the highly-regarded position as a Director at Malan Vorster in 2014. His name appears on iconic and globally celebrated projects like the magical, floating Treehouse on the Paarman Family Estate, which was featured on the ArchDaily Top 100 buildings in Africa in 2023 — an admirable representation of his residential design prowess.
54. THOMAS CHAPMAN
Founder and Architect, Local Studio
Cape Town and Johannesburg
Thomas Chapman’s practice focusses on reconnecting fractured urban spaces and creating public architecture that fosters community engagement. On his resumé you’ll find notable works like the Arch for Arch monument in Cape Town, Lapalala Wilderness School, and the Lutheran Church Outreach Foundation Community Centre. Chapman’s award-winning designs (his firm bagged three at the 2024 SCAPE Awards of Excellence) often merge bold contemporary forms with deep cultural narratives, making him a key figure in shaping modern South African architecture.
55. ROLAND POSTMA
Managing Director, Young Urbanists
Cape Town
As a well-versed advocate for enhanced urban and rural planning, Roland Postma holds multiple titles which place him at the forefront of the country’s agenda for citizen well-being. Not only is he the Managing Director of Young Urbanists, but also a co-founder of the Active Mobility Forum and the chair for the Safe Passage Programme in South Africa. Through an experimental approach, Roland is pioneering a renewed future for the streets (and beyond).
Photography by Julian Oldenburg
56. VEDHANT MAHARAJ
Founding Director and Architect, Rebel Base Collective
Johannesburg
Vedhant Maharaj is a boundary-pushing mind within the local architecture industry. On top of a stellar educational resumé(his Master’s thesis won the Corobrik Student Competition in2015), Vedhant’s drive is born from a mission to find innovative solutions for spatial issues. Projects completed with Rebel Base Collective that speak of his ethos include the SAIA Award-winning Ode to Oak, the GIfA-commended BIKE HAUS, and recently launched St Mary’s School. A testament to his outstanding practice, he also holds the title of NGX Ambassador for the Holcim Foundation for Sustainable Construction.
57. TREVEN MOODLEY
Co-Founder and Architectural Designer, TMD Studios
Durban
Composing meaning through design, Treven Moodley’s work is both evocative and enthralling. His sharply-honed skills in sectors like retail, hospitality, and commercial design are taking the KZN scene by storm — think Shakas Cafe, Obscura Cocktail Bar, Vortex Gym, and Skulpt Boutique Spa. Whether serene or bold, his penchant for designing with soul characterises the showstopping portfolio presented by TMD Studios.
Photography by Julian Carelsen
58. DION WALTERS
Founder and Director, Bomax Architects
Cape Town
Dion Walters is an architect whose design philosophy draws as much from the rhythm of the ocean as it does from the precision of the built environment. A passionate surfer, Dion founded Bomax Architects in 2000 with a vision to create spaces that reflect the natural world’s harmony. For him, design is about stripping back to the essentials — clean lines, bold forms, and distinct details. This ethos is evident in award-winning residential projects such as Sunset Villa and House Llandudno, which captivate along Cape Town’s Atlantic Seaboard. As Bomax celebrates its 25th anniversary, Dion is set to take things even further, and with the launch of interior firm Terra Design, a thrilling new chapter has begun
Photography by Justin Munitz
59. GABRIËL HUGO
Interior Design Director, LYT Architecture
Johannesburg
As the Interior Design Director at LYT Architecture, Gabriël’s work merges creativity with precision, delivering innovative, functional environments. Since joining LYT in 2013, Hugo has led a diverse portfolio of high-end residential, hospitality, and commercial projects. His transformative designs have earned international acclaim, with International Property awards including Best Leisure Interior in Africa for The Highline at Courtyard Hotel and Best Leisure Interior South Africa for Polo fields, Waterfall, to name a few.
Photography by Tristan McLaren
60. WERNER LOTZ
Principal Architect, Hours Clear
Cape Town
With 18 years in the game, Werner’s architectural work is as diverse as it is daring — ranging from small-scale renovations and community upliftment initiatives to high-stakes government projects. No stranger to blending bold design with context, he finds solutions that feel at once innovative and instinctively right for their environment. Now at Hours Clear Architects, his recent projects fuse residential design with cutting-edge exhibition concepts, leaving a lasting imprint on both space and experience.
61. STUDIO H
Design Team
Cape Town
Studio H is a design studio and production team with a taste for creating immersive experiences for brands of the highest calibre. From the genius of Hannerie Visser, this gastronomic powerhouse is a group of ‘culinary-minded designers’ that have launched initiatives like Food XX Africa: Women in Food and the Future Food Report. The team crafts mind-bending installations with food as a key to the composition, with each innovation they present proving that Studio H not only tracks trends — they set them
Photography by Retha Ferguson
62. MARK BULLIVANT
Principal and Architect, SAOTA
Cape Town
Mark Bullivant is an established architect at SAOTA, one of South Africa’s most prolific architectural firms. After graduating from UCT in 2006, he began at SAOTA and climbed up the ranks within the practice with his all-around ability, work ethic, and leadership skills. His role has been fundamental in establishing and developing SAOTA’s work in the United States as he aims to create delight in the user’s spatial experience and enhance their existence. His contributions include working on projects like Hillside (which was featured on Netflix’s ‘Selling Sunsets’) and the elegant Stradella, both in Los Angeles. An esteemed voice in the industry, having been interviewed by fellow top professionals like FAME Architecture & Design and the podcast Business of Architecture UK, Mark navigates his practice by valuing the power of imagery and collaboration for industry success.
63. HENDRE BLOEM
Founder and Director, Hendre Bloem Interior Design
Cape Town
Guided by the sense of timeless style that epitomises modern luxury, Hendre is known for his vast design experience that ranges from interior design to conceptual architecture, furniture design, and art curation. Specialising in residential design, his diverse portfolio spans continents, from intimate retreats in South Africa’s Klein Karoo to a family home on Kilimanjaro’s slopes, through to a beach villa in Hong Kong.
64. PORKY HEFER
Designer and Artist, Animal Farm
Cape Town
Porky Hefer is, as his name suggests, an uncanny character within the art (and architecture) industry. His work goes beyond just aesthetic value and often takes the form of activism and social commentary. That is, when they’re reimagining animal habitats for humans (chairs inspired by birds’ nests) or teasing at technological advancements (a giant table lamp, in the shape of a plug). Porky calls his work ‘vernacular architecture and design’, but vernacular here is anything but ordinary. With a Southern Guild status and featuring in New African Magazine’s 100 Most Influential Africans of 2017, Porky’s nature and animal focussed creations are nothing less than iconic.
Photography by Antonia Steyn
65. IMRAAN HO-YEE
Co-Owner and Design Director, Vivid Architects
Cape Town
Imraan Ho-Yee’s journey, shaped between London and South Africa, speaks to the fluidity and bravery of design reflected in his work. A graduate of the University of Cape Town in 1994, his architectural career took flight at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, where his keen eye for commercial development swiftly earned him an associate role. However, it was in Cape Town that he returned to his roots, forging a partnership with Trevor Versfeld and Paolo Viotti at Vivid Architects and overseeing large-scale projects with an innovative approach, such as the recently launched Riverlands Mall and the development of the larger Liesbeek River area. It’s safe to say Imraan thrives on transforming complexity into clarity, always with a flair for blending technology and creativity.
Photography by Peter Bruyns
66. SODA CUSTOM
Turn-Key Design and Project Management Studio
Cape Town and Johannesburg
Soda Custom is a studio that specialises in interior and exterior design across sectors like hospitality, retail, residential, and commercial. Founded by Gregor Bremer in 2002, Soda’s repertoire speaks for itself: Sonny & Irene, Bo-Vine, The Attic, Surf Shack, Tang Cape Town, and the list of high-end must-see spots goes on. There’s no question as to why their projects have featured in global measures of design excellence like the Restaurant & Bar Design Awards; everything they touch turns to gold.
67. LAUREN BOLUS
Partner, Fabian Architects & Make Studio
Cape Town
Having honed her skills in London’s competitive architectural scene, Lauren founded Make Architects in 2011, introducing a distinctive approach that blends conceptual innovation with flawless execution. Her 2015 merger with Fabian Architects resulted in the creation of a full-service practice specialising in commercial, residential, and hospitality design. With stand out interior design projects in the works like Africa’s first biophilic multi-residential development, The Fynbos, in collaboration with architecture firm TwentyEightZeroTwo, alongside striking builds such as Aurum in Bantry Bay and The Rose in Cape Town’s city centre, it is impossible not to be captivated by Lauren’s ability to create spaces that are contemporary, elegant, and profoundly honest in their materiality.
68. KEITH HENNING
Founder and Artist, AKJP Studio
Cape Town
Keith Henning is an artist and sculptor who takes a syncretic approach to materiality and form. His aim is clear: to create space for fresh perspectives and alternative ways of thinking about the narratives that define us. Henning’s practice brings symbolism to life, fusing theory and technique to express a wide range of cultural stories and personal experiences. The result? Works that occupy the intriguing space between conceptual and functional art — driven by both aesthetics and purpose. With a winking irony and sophistication, Henning’s pieces stand apart, featuring crisp forms and flesh-tone glazes paired with earthy greens. Extending his creative vision, Henning is also the Founder of AKJP Studio in Cape Town, a fashion concept store in Cape Town that nurtures up to 40 South African designers and artists.
Photography by Michael Oliver Love
69. SEAN GIBSON
Photographer
Cape Town
If Sean had a signature style, it would be his manipulation of light and shadow, tones and textures, and the dynamic interplay between his subjects and the spaces they inhabit. His photography tells stories that evoke emotional responses, revealing far more than the sum of its individual elements. Experimentation, raw talent, and a relentless pursuit of perfection define his approach to image-making.
His portfolio spans architecture, interiors, hotels, safari lodges, wine estates, landscapes, restaurants, and lifestyle. Beneath the technical mastery of filters, lenses, and aperture, lies an intuitive artistic connection to the landscapes of his home in Cape Town. His shots capture some of South Africa’s most iconic contemporary architecture and natural scenes, offering us a fleeting glimpse of the world through his eyes
Photography by Ramzi Mansour
70. STRUKT ARCHITECTS
Architecture Studio
Gqeberha
Beginning each project with the question, ‘What makes this project truly exceptional for this client, in this context?’, Niel and Ashleigh Basson have brought projects like the Kunshuis House and Gallery and the Baye the Lodge at Shamwari Game Reserve to life through their creative studio, Strukt Architects. With recognition from the likes of Corobrik, ArchDaily, and the SAIA Awards, Strukt has impressed with a diverse portfolio since its inception just over five years ago, transcending trends and styles with work that delivers on meaning and function.
71. LEON KLUGE
Landscape Designer
Franschhoek
Leon is a man deeply rooted in his passion, thanks to his botanical heritage — quite literally. Growing up with a deep admiration for his father’s curatorship of the Lowveld National Botanical Gardens and his grandfather’s role at the Betty’s Bay Botanical Garden, it’s safe to say that nature was embedded in his DNA long before he began crafting his own horticulturalmasterpieces.
2024 marked a year of incredible achievements for Leon. His ‘Cape Flora of South Africa’ display not only won Gold but was also honoured with the Best Exhibit award in the Great Pavilion, along with the New Design Award for the fynbos extravaganza — a first for South Africa at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. His ‘Between Two Worlds’ exhibit was the standout at the Singapore Garden Festival, where it claimed Gold, Best on Show, and Best Lighting. Leon capped off the year by being named Landscape Designer of the Year for DOTY’24.
Photography by Phonix Capture
72. MARGOT VAN DERWESTHUIZEN
Landscape Designer
Cape Town
Margot’s professional life may have started with a career in project management and consultancy, but her passion for the landscape couldn’t be ignored. Her practice is a testament to her aspirations to fulfil her clients’ garden dreams as well as her dedication to creating outdoor spaces that complement the architecture that surrounds them. With no lack of inspiration or vision, Margot’s touch extends across the Western Cape, from intimate courtyards to luscious country gardens.
Photography by Two Squares Media
73. CASAMENTO
Furniture Design Studio
Cape Town
In 2023, Forbes named Casamento one of the ‘Top Creative Businesses and Artists in Cape Town to Follow’ for their original upholstery, craftsmanship, and sustainability. The artistry at hand – which presents in the form of furniture, art, and cushions – is driven by the noteworthy creative known as Starry-Eve Collett. While Casamento began as a second-hand furniture business in 2007, it has flourished into a bespoke design studio that produces pieces that are inspired by the local landscape, gentle to the environment, and dressed in exquisite embroidery.
Photography by Alexa Singer
74. ALEX STEWART
Principal and Founder, Stewart & Partners
Cape Town
“Architecture is about connection –connecting people, the environment, culture, and place. It’s about buildings and landscapes, but more importantly, how we intervene to sustain thriving ecosystems and communities.”
Alex — a past Nelson Mandela Scholar and a Cambridge University graduate — leads a fiercely creative studio where every voice matters and individuals come together as a community to uphold the highest of standards in sustainable and socially responsible architecture. In doing so, Alex and his team design spaces that honour the environment, celebrate culture, and enrich lives.
Photography by Jeffrey Moffat
75. JACK ALEXANDER
Founder and Director, Jack Alexander Studio
Cape Town and Johannesburg
In the heart of Africa’s most coveted landscapes, Jack Alexander’s architectural creations stand as physical transla-tions of luxury and sustainability. Since founding his studio in2017, Jack has earned acclaim for crafting bespoke lodges and exclusive private island retreats, often in collaboration with Fox Browne Creative. His Johannesburg and Cape Town-based practice has transformed the luxury travel experience, from the Lolebezi Lodge on the Zambezi River to the reimagined Grumeti Serengeti River Lodge
Photography by Leana Clunies-Ross
This article is an extract from our 2025 Scape 100 issue. Read the full 100 issue here.
