When we first suggested transforming the former wine cellar into a Gallery of Treasures, we never imagined how wholeheartedly the idea would be embraced and how perfect the outcome would be.
At Singita, where conservation is at the heart of everything they do, our ambition was to weave that story into the very centre of the lodge.
Now completed, the former wine cellar has been reimagined as a fully immersive site-specific gallery: a place to safeguard and celebrate a remarkable collection of locally found, natural objects, alongside newly commissioned works by exceptional South African artists. The transformation also introduced a dedicated conservation lounge for reflection and knowledge sharing.
Updating a lodge with an existing architectural identity is never simple. Every intervention demands care and respect for what already exists We are immensely grateful to Singita and the project team, for embracing the idea. What a joy it is to see the space brought to life by so many talented artists, designers and creators
Project Team:
Architecture — GAPP Architects & Urban Designers
Structural Engineering — DEVS
Interiors — Singita Design studio + Cecile & Boyd
Construction — Town & Country
Quantity Surveying — Sigma
Featured Artists:
• Jack Fillery
• Wiid Design
• thedeadbotanist
• Tatenda Chidora
Photo Credits to Singita and Markus Jordaan
#GAPPArchitects #Singita #Lebombo #Architecture #AdaptiveReuse Conservation Hospitality Design

Student Life and Clinic Building
North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, Vanderbilpark, Gauteng

Guided by GAPP’s masterplan for North-West University Vaal Triangle Campus, the placement of the new Student Life and Campus Clinic aims to address fragmentation and frame a portion of public open space to strengthen it as a spatial asset within the campus environment.

Placemaking was further informed by two important pedestrian routes that intersect the site. The building entrances were conceived as external yet covered volumetric foyer atriums positioned along these pedestrian routes.

Materiality was informed by the extensive use of facebrick in the newer campus buildings. The continuation of this palette reinforces visual cohesion and contributes to a unified campus identity. The building is expressed as a solid facebrick mass, with voids carved from the volume to create balconies, where required. In contrast, the entrance foyers are articulated as white polycarbonate “knuckles”, clearly defining the building entrances and accentuating the generous volumes of the foyer atriums.

#GAPPArchitects #CampusDesign #EducationalArchitecture #UrbanDesign #StudentLife CampusClinic Architecture DesignForPeople Placemaking NorthWestUniversity

Meet the newest additions to our Johannesburg team! We’re super excited to welcome Lionel, Bruna and Heleen to the GAPP family!

Lionel, a Professional Architectural Technologist. I have a predominant technical background I incorporate into architecture by translating a design and developing it with the integrated understanding of compliance and technical resolve. I have an obsession for detail that trickles into my personal interests and hobbies. From sketch drawings and portraits I do, to the way I watch movies.
“I have a strong fascination for different cultures which is evident in the movies I like. My favourite movies are mostly foreign movies ranging from non-English European movies to Asian movies.”

Bruna is a Candidate Architect who loves exploring how architecture can tell stories and shape meaningful experiences. She’s drawn to context-driven, concept-led design. Outside of studio she enjoys exploring new places, travelling, and finding inspiration through photography and design.

Heleen, a Senior Architectural Technologist and recent Project Management postgraduate, thrives on working with people and designing spaces that feel welcoming to everyone. With a love for warmth, texture, and detail, she is endlessly curious about how things come together and brings a strong problem-solving mindset to her work, supported by her Revit expertise and a growing interest in project management. Outside of work she enjoys storytelling in all its forms, from illustration and photography to music and dance.

Join our Team! GAPP Architects & Urban Designers are currently seeking a talented and experienced ARCHITECT to join in working on remarkable projects in our Cape Town office.

Professional Architect applicant should have:

· A positive attitude and team spirit

· 5 – 10 years’ post qualification experience

· Formal Qualification as Architect from a recognised Institution

· Valid SACAP registration as PrArch

· Excellent design ability with skills in 3D modelling in Sketchup and Revit, Enscape, or other rendering solutions and the full Microsoft office suite

· The ability to perform all activities related to an architectural scope of work, but in particular, architectural work stages 2 to 4

· Hands on experience of design development, procurement and construction documentation, construction and contract management of all types of buildings, including hospitality

· A willingness to multitask and work well under pressure on exciting projects with supportive teams

· A love of work, in a demanding but supportive and satisfying environment

Candidates are required to submit a CV and portfolio of work to office@ctn.gapp.net with subject line ‘Architect: July 2026’

#GAPP #WeAreHiring #JoinOurTeam

|SCAPE| Recalibrating an Archive: An Intervention at the Ferdinand Postma Library for Blended Teaching and Learning.

We`re excited to share our Ferdinand Postma Library Refurbishment featured in Scape Magazine`s June Education & Culture Issue!

#Architecture #EducationDesign #FerdinandPostmaLibrary #ScapeMagazine #BlendedLearning #DesignForLearning