We’re looking for a Senior Urban Designer to join our Cape Town-based team.
What You’ll Do
- Lead urban design projects from inception
through to report production and concept development.
- Integrate landscape and public realm design
thinking into urban frameworks and master plans.
- Collaborate across disciplines to deliver
cohesive, sustainable, and people-centered urban environments.
- Contribute to the strategic vision of urban
interventions that align with dhk’s architectural and landscape ethos.
- Engage with clients, municipalities, and
stakeholders on spatial development plans.
- Translate complex urban and environmental
challenges into practical, innovative design responses.
- Prepare compelling design reports,
visualisations, and presentations.
- Champion design excellence, sustainability,
and contextual responsiveness across both built and natural systems.
Requirements
- A postgraduate qualification in Urban
Design or Architecture with urban design focus.
- Minimum 5 years’ post-graduate experience
specifically in urban design.
- A robust portfolio showcasing urban
frameworks, master plans, and design reports.
- Registration with SACAP or UDISA
(advantageous).
- South African citizenship (mandatory).
Technical Skills
- Strong graphic, drawing and illustrative
communication skills.
- Proficiency in AutoCAD, SketchUp, Adobe
Suite, and Microsoft Office.
- Report writing and strategic thinking
capabilities.
- Competence in producing visual narratives
and analytical mapping.
- Advantageous: GIS proficiency, Rhino or
other parametric tools.
Key Attributes
- Self-driven, organised, and
detail-oriented.
- Strong interpersonal and leadership
skills.
- A passion for place-making, spatial
justice, and sustainable urbanism.
- Ability to mentor junior team members and
foster a collaborative design environment.
Benefits
- A competitive salary commensurate with
experience and expertise.
- Exposure to iconic urban and architectural
projects across the continent.
- Career development opportunities in a
progressive, design-led environment.
- A studio culture grounded in innovation,
excellence, and collaboration.
About dhk
Architects
dhk Architects is one
of the largest and leading design-led architectural studios in Africa. Our
strength comes from a unique blend of creative design thinking, technical
capability, implementation expertise and strategic vision.
Our reputation is
built not only on landmark architecture but also on our longstanding commitment
to designing integrated environments. We believe architecture should enhance
and shape its context – a philosophy rooted in urban design. At dhk, we foster a
culture of progressive design, high-performance, and collaboration, where urban
thinking drives innovation in built form.
We support personal
and professional growth through mentorship, development initiatives, and a
studio environment that encourages experimentation, leadership, and ambition.
Skills Required
- Postgraduate qualification in Urban Design or Architecture with urban design focus
- Minimum 5 years' post-graduate experience in urban design
- Robust portfolio showcasing urban frameworks, master plans, and design reports
- Registration with SACAP or UDISA (advantageous)
- South African citizenship (mandatory)
What We Do
DHK Architects is an award-winning architecture and planning firm based in Boston, MA. For more than 40 years our successful designs have transformed communities and led innovation in multi-family housing, transportation, and public places and structures.
