Stepping into the roles of Directors at Peerutin Karol, Henning van As and Giovanni Pivetta are reaching great new heights in the architectural industry. To celebrate their appointment and get to know Henning and Giovanni a little better, we sat down to ask about their design ethos, their goals, and what you can expect to see in the near future.
Congratulations on your new positions as Directors at Peerutin Karol! What are you most excited about in this new venture?
Henning: I feel it is something that I was always building towards, but now will have to grow into further. My position and experience have been closer to the design side in the practice, but now as Technical Director I will be in a position to better manage and have influence over the later stages of projects. I’m excited that this will bring a clearer translation from design intent and concept to actual built buildings, with less compromise on design and the integrity of the concepts.
Giovanni: Working at Peerutin Karol is an absolute pleasure; I am deeply grateful to Simmy, David, Tarryn, and Eitan for giving me the opportunity to play a more integral part of the practice. I’m proud to be a new director of this exceptional team of architects and I hope I will keep bringing my experience and competence. I am eager to continue sharing my passion for design and mentoring the next generation of architects who join our studio.
What are some new developments in the firm we can expect to see, and what are some new projects you’re gearing up to roll out that we should keep an eye out for?
Giovanni: We are currently busy with an urban master plan of an ‘island’ in Lagos. Technically, it’s reclaimed land from the lagoon, about 70 hectares with a secure high-end single residential estate, a series of mixed-use buildings, a hotel, and a picturesque waterfront with a promenade and a marina, all connected by green parks, sports facilities, and a fitness trail. We are also in the design stages for a sports academy just out of Abuja, Nigeria, an office headquarters for the largest coal mining company in Zambia, and in Cape Town we have an extensive alteration and addition of a single residential villa in Bantry Bay under construction. Probably the most exciting project is a joint venture with another renowned South African architectural studio in the Indian Ocean.
Henning: We can’t say much more about this secret project in the Indian Ocean yet. But because of its exceptional requirements and extremely high standards, this project has allowed us to explore our abilities on multiple levels. Through the use of available technologies in ways that we have never tried before, this is especially true for our collaborative BIM models and the use of AI in design; we believe we exceeded the project’s demands.
We’re very interested in the description of Peerutin Karol as being both design-driven and also business-minded in the sense of being able to deliver on time and within budget. Is this a philosophy that comes from the top, or does the firm actively seek members who have this dichotomy of strength in the working environment?
Henning: I would say that both are true. Peerutin Architects was built on the strengths of the two founding partners, Simmy Peerutin and David Peerutin. As the business has grown it was understood that to continue this legacy, future directors would need this range of skills. Therefore, early on, Tarryn Cohen was appointed as Director to support the management side of the practice. The merger of the renowned commercial practice of Louis Karol with Peerutin in 2021 only strengthened the team by adding Eitan Karol as Director of Business Development. Now, with the appointment of Giovanni as Design Director and myself as Technical Design Director, we have set the stage to continue this legacy forward.
Giovanni: It certainly comes from the top, but more as our approach to architecture rather than a business model. At Peerutin Karol, you are presented with the invaluable opportunity to fully immerse yourself in the significance of two critical elements in contemporary architecture: Solid design skills and robust strategic management. These encompass a deep understanding of architectural principles, innovative construction technology, attention to detail, and the ability to translate concepts into tangible designs. It underscores the significance of effective planning, organisation, and coordination throughout the project life cycle.
You both have extensive international experience in your practices. How will this aid you in your career path at Peerutin Karol going forward?
Henning: In Europe, specifically Germany, I learned to be very meticulous and correct. I learned to speak German early on and was able to immerse myself in the culture. The environment is very traditional, and things take time. Being able to strike a balance and allowing yourself to be detail orientated and meticulous, but also fast on your feet and adaptable, has helped me immensely in my work. I hope that this experience will help to further grow the firm, keeping it a competitor in the international arena and especially in Africa.
Giovanni: My background and experience have certainly played a pivotal role in shaping my professional life. Growing up, studying, and working in Italy, renowned for its rich architectural heritage, has profoundly influenced me as an architect. In any Italian city, a mere stroll is likely to unveil a Roman building, a medieval castle, a Renaissance church, a modernist institutional building, or a contemporary, ultra-high-tech building. I still have a strong connection with my Italian roots, so I try to stay updated on the latest design trends, philosophies, and technologies that Europe, and especially Italy, can offer. Architecture is vast, complex, and a well-mixed combination of art and science, philosophy and mathematics, freedom and rules. I believe the key to enjoying all of this is to never stop learning.
Can you tell us more about the collaborative aspects of your work?
Henning: As Technical Design Director the aim is to support each other from the early stages, to find creative design solutions that are appropriate, esthetical, and practical. With my design background and having worked closely together with Giovanni, the intent is that unforeseen design challenges that usually come up further in the technical development stage can be addressed and collaboratively solved. To this end we have adapted the way we are using Revit, our technical design documentation software, to more seamlessly host design layers that allow it to be a more responsive design tool.
Giovanni: Henning and I come from different work experiences and over the years we developed different competencies, bringing unique skills to the table, which is a great asset in architecture. Sometimes we may have different visions for a project, but we see this as an opportunity rather than a handicap. In our collaborative process, we often divide responsibilities based on our strengths, allowing us to work efficiently at different stages of the design process. Despite working on different aspects of the project, we maintain open communication to keep each other informed of our progress. This ensures that the project receives the attention and consideration it deserves at every stage.
Describe your design modus operandi in one sentence.
Henning: Creative problem solving with passionate but flexible design.
Giovanni: Dare with respect.
This article is an extract from our May Issue. Read the full issue here.
