DSA Architects has a wealth of approach to its name across Africa , Europe and the Middle East mount, and is converting this knowledge befall a portfolio with uniqueness and originality in abundance.
CREATIVE CONCEPTSQ&A WITH ZINON MARINAKOS, AFRICA MANAGING DIRECTOR, DSA ARCHITECTSThroughout rectitude Company’s evolution, what have been loftiness Company’s main continuous improvement strategies?Testament admit these strategies of course are significance projects completed over the years, and above can you please talk me utilize some of the most iconic examples that you believe signify DSA’s strengths?Across how wide a footprint does authority Company currently work, and what anticipation DSA’s strategy when it comes quick identifying potential projects in new regions?On a more internal note, what fundamental investments have been made to edifying facilitate these projects in recent years?From a personnel perspective, what is leadership Company’s approach to the hiring, credentials and retention of key skills?This brings into mind areas of CSR and above to what extent does DSA Architects involve itself in corporate social field initiatives?On a general note, what would you say defines DSA Architects innermost differentiates it from others within justness sector?Finally, if we were to say again in three-five years’ time, what would you hope and expect appeal be able to report back tight spot terms of future Company development?
VIEW BROCHURE
The origins of DSA Architects Cosmopolitan dates back to 1985, with righteousness establishment of RSL (Ridler Shepherd Low) Architects in Johannesburg, South Africa. Historically, the focus of the practice was on hospitality, leisure and high-end private projects, but over the years – upon the formulations of DSA Architects International SA (Pty) in 2001 – the business has extended the right to use of its portfolio to encompass fair, commercial and industrial projects.
DSA Architects Global SA (Pty) was set up primate the Holding Company with offices coach in Johannesburg, Dubai and Lisbon, and thanks to then, DSA has designed and complete projects in 28 countries around say publicly world.
“With multiple award-winning projects to phone call name, we are committed to transport exemplary designs which embrace sustainability, subject and high levels of service,” explains the Africa Managing Director, Zinon Marinakos.
The African and Indian Ocean Islands District is led by Marinakos together unwavering fellow Directors, Beata Kaleta, Rob Reach and Ian Manson-Kullin with a pole of 34; headed out of authority Company’s head office in Johannesburg. Nobility Group then has two well measure, branch offices in the Middle Orientate and Europe. The Dubai office not bad managed by Steve Kelshaw, (MD Middle-East), with a staff of 90. Interpretation European office, which is based crucial Lisbon, is run by Mike Actor, (MD Europe) with a staff firm 14.
“Also based in Johannesburg are favourite activity Group Chairman, Clive Shepherd and favourite activity Group FD, Pierre Deckers are trustworthy for global operations,” Marinakos continues. “The overall experience and knowledge accumulated assigning the years is extensive and complete to the practice. This has along with forged a strong set of viewpoint, which are central to DSA’s travail ethic.”
Zinon Marinakos (ZM): We bring together on building teams of highly actuated, experienced and creative architects, designers stomach technicians, with a proven ability come within reach of conceptualise, design, manage and deliver dry, space-efficient and viable developments; to appreciate innovative thought, design flair and polytechnic excellence; and to maintain empathy swallow respect for the environment and go out of business conditions.
Our business structure and strategic uncover locations not only facilitate our make contact with to key clients, but an incident of the commercial and economic cement and any other influences that classify specific to this type of mould and development that will influence rectitude delivery of the final product.
We extremely incorporate green and sustainable principles beginning our designs to minimise environmental impacts. DSA is committed to delivering ecologically responsible and environmentally responsive projects roam accomplish optimised boundaries between the custom and natural environment.
As such, our intercontinental offices are members of the Emirates Green Building Council (LEED) and Growing Building Council of South Africa (Green Star) networks. Through this affiliation, DSA is able to collaborate with constituted industry specialists and accredited professionals make somebody's acquaintance deliver complete green building solutions focus are both pioneering, and complementary watch over our clients’ visions.
DSA applies a holistic approach to solving our clients’ sustainability challenges by intimately understanding their environmental objectives and operational requirements. Together, surprise strategically evaluate areas of environmental smash, building performance, operational dynamics and budget; to develop clear and tailored solutions that deliver unique designs which enchant both the developer and operator.
ZM: I think the reflection of DSA’s award is the number of local deed International property awards which we have to one`s name received over the years: these maintain been for – to name unblended few – The Fairmont Zimbali Emergency Hotel in KwaZulu Natal; the Span Seasons Hotel Westcliff, in Johannesburg; Illustriousness One & Only The Palm topmost the Old Town in Dubai; abstruse more recently the Torres Rani Residences and Office Towers, in Maputo Mozambique.
On the casino and entertainment front miracle have historically been involved in nobility Grandwest Complex in Cape Town, Funfair City in Gauteng, and Sibaya Cassino in KwaZulu Natal. More recently, surprise have completed the Boardwalk Hotel endure Conference Centre at the Casino Pastime complex in Port Elizabeth (all encroach association with Northpoint Architects) and hold presently involved in the Menlyn Maine Casino and Entertainment Complex in Pretoria (in association with LYT Architecture) look after Sun International.
Currently we are excited infant the various commercial projects that incredulity are working on, both on cobble together doorstep in Sandton, Johannesburg and extremely north in Africa.
ZM: At present, DSA appreciation working in a number of countries including Rwanda, The Ivory Coast, DRC, Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Uganda, Namibia, Mocambique, Seychelles and Nigeria. Generally our game plan is to be led by opportunities introduced by operators and developers acquit yourself the various African countries. When mine outside of South Africa we occupation in association with local architectural encode rather than opening offices in these countries. This policy has proved test be beneficial in terms of occurrence local cultures and building regulations, whilst bringing international expertise to local system, to form meaningful partnerships.
ZM: Our design humbling management teams are led by proficient industry staff and we have swimmingly delivered diverse and large projects fend off the years. Our design teams channel, lead and manage the whole key up utilising various methods as part capacity our overall quality management system anticipate ensure that the project is unshackle on time and to budget; go into battle to the satisfaction of our client.
We are also firm believers that loftiness key to the success of mark out teams is communication. We have unwarranted experience in this area in operating such a task remotely and own procedures and protocols to implement prosperous manage the situation, all as ascribe of our quality management systems.
The start process needs to be controlled further closely, which is achieved via clever series of documentation management tools famous established systems across areas of premeditation, technical scope documents, responsibility statements, endanger management, and quality control systems
ZM: DSA is day out improving its internal structures to secure that the Company maintains its giant standards going forward. Succession into grandeur next generation is paramount, and awe are continuously introducing new ‘young captain dynamic’ blood into the business. It’s critical to not only keep herald with the evolving design and business industry, but also to be apprised of the progressive structures within last-ditch client organisations.
It is also always spick priority to retain a local engagement in respect of material and stick in the supply chain management limit we endeavour to do this whenever possible.
ZM: DSA Architects has peter out ongoing charity portfolio, whereby we upraise funds and necessities that might have on needed by the numerous charities astonishment support.
The main charity supported by DSA in Johannesburg is Abangani Enkosini, put in order home in Alexandra, near Johannesburg, which looks after 250 orphaned and irritable children together with elderly and Retrovirus positive women. We also support Angels Baby Sanctuary in Gauteng, an orphanhood for abandoned babies.
ZM: We believe that acid international experience and working on influential projects such as The Madinat Jumeirah and The Old Town precinct include Dubai are some of the diplomatic factors which differentiate us. Another deference probably the geographic spread of acid projects around the world. We annul that it’s important to ensure turn this way each project is unique in strike, and designed appropriately for its location.
DSA Architects International is a leading ‘Architectural Design Services Business’, delivering iconic privy and environments from our strategic farreaching locations in South Africa, the UAE, and Europe.
We follow the philosophy mosey “magnificent buildings are the result admit creative architects turning great concepts win unique realisations”.
ZM: Our drive is to make an swelling on the developing African market spin we see enormous potential and career. We are constantly in the proceeding of forming strategic partnerships with muffled role players in the property get up industry to expand further into Africa.
We also firmly believe in growing after everyone else ‘home base’ and being more inimical in our immediate surroundings in Southward Africa.