Company Profile

SDKS is an architecture and consulting firm based in Cape Town, with decades of experience in design, project management and built environment strategy.

Our architecture clients have given us opportunities to design across many urban settings as well as on remote coastal sites, and in mountains and deserts. Past projects include offices, museums, schools, heritage sites, housing estates and houses. Our clients value our attention to detail and return on investment.

Our broader built environment consultancy covers property enablement (collaborating with other professionals getting added rights for sites), digital strategies, and advising clients on the implications of new policies, such as asbestos regulations or heritage policies. We hold APHP Heritage registration and draw on decades of experience with historic buildings and places.

SDKS manage projects from idea to completion and help clients navigate the process. We enjoy working on multidisciplinary teams for more complex projects and welcome proposals for collaboration.

Directors

Stephen Dugmore
stephen@sdks-architects.co.za
c: +(27) 082 399 2390
t: +(27) 021 683 6395

>> About Us

Karin Dugmore Ström
karin@sdks-architects.co.za
c: +(27) 083 503 4514
t: +(27) 021 683 6395

Architectural Project Stages

We manage projects through six standard stages recognised internationally within the architectural profession. We typically oversee projects from start to finish, but can become involved at any stage.

Our project management services include:

Stage 1 – Inception: Understanding your brief, budget, project goals and legal constraints.
Stage 2 – Concept & Viability: Exploring design ideas and testing what is possible on your site.
Stage 3 – Design Development: Refining the preferred design and coordinating with engineers and other consultants.
Stage 4 – Documentation & Procurement: Preparing drawings for council approval, followed by detailed construction drawings showing building structures, material specifications, details and layouts for getting prices from builders.
Stage 5 – Construction: Administering the building contract and monitoring construction work.
Stage 6 – Close-Out: Assisting with project Completion and Final Handover.

The above descriptions provide a broad overview.
The specific scope of work for each stage is clearly defined in the contract documents.

Council & Statutory Approvals

Most projects require approval from one or more authorities, depending on the property, its location and the nature of the proposed work. We identify the relevant approval requirements early in the project and guide you through each stage of the process.

Depending on your project, the following approvals may be required:

Building Plan Approvals (BDM): Approval from the local authority confirming that the proposed building plans comply with the National Building Regulations (NBR) before construction begins.
Planning Approvals (LUM): Required where a proposal affects zoning, building lines, land use rights or other planning controls.
Heritage Approvals: Required for certain older buildings, heritage sites or properties within protected heritage areas.
Environmental Approvals: Required for certain developments on environmentally sensitive sites.

We prepare and coordinate all necessary drawings, reports and supporting documentation, including SANS 10400-XA energy compliance calculations. We have extensive experience navigating the heritage and municipal approval processes, having successfully secured approvals for hundreds of building plan applications.

Why Us?

Integrated Service from Start to Finish

With experience as both Project Managers and Principal Agents across hundreds of projects, we know how to keep projects running smoothly while delivering quality design. Our service covers the full six-stage process, from initial design through to final close-out. We carefully assemble each project team to ensure the right expertise is in place and that the original design intent is carried through to completion.

Sustainability at Our Core

Sustainability, environmental design and heritage conservation are central to our design ethos. We design buildings that use resources responsibly, respond to their surroundings and are built for the future. Our approach incorporates strategies aligned with local and international best practices, including energy- and water-efficient systems, solar solutions and environmentally responsible material sourcing.

Heritage Conservation

Our heritage consultancy streamlines the heritage approval process. We specialise in heritage-sensitive design, including adaptive reuse, restoration and maintenance. We provide heritage design, research and reporting services in accordance with Sections 38, 34, 31 and 27 of the National Heritage Resources Act (NHRA, 1999). With over three decades of experience, we are established leaders in heritage conservation and design.

Our Strategic Approach

Our built environment consultancy offers strategic research, portfolio planning and building lifecycle management. We advise on maintenance strategies, heritage conservation, spatial mapping and consolidation, compliance and risk assessments. We coordinate with specialist consultants where needed. Our experience covers large, multi-building campuses and geographically dispersed property portfolios.