Our story

umsi ka mhlanga DESIGN WORKSHOP is a futuristic contemporary architectural practice created with the sole goal to make our world better. We believe that good architecture should compel awe-inspiring emotions, lest it be in vain. Our backgrounds, experiences, economic challenges, and the ever-changing climate inspires us to bring about positive difference to every project and every client that we meet. Our primary commitment is to positively advance the field of architecture through art, sculpting, sustainable design, technical solutions, building and management. For this reason, we provide conscientious and excellent service in the built environment, inspired by an architectural philosophy which protects the public health, safety, and welfare of all people. We believe that architecture is an adventure ought to influence community development through buildings, spaces, objects, and movement to create a more sustainable world.

Our ideology drives our existence and excellence, and it also gives us the ability to:

  • Identify the client’s needs and develop their brief
  • Utilisation of specialist consultants when required
  • Constant learning through ‘Continuing Professional Development’ assignments
  • Research and development for best practice
  • Professional, effective & efficient turnaround of information
  • Study existing models of similar projects as to understand their malfunctions and accomplishments.

Our team is led by Lamlani Maliwa who is professionally licensed by the South African Council for the Architectural Profession (SACAP). Over the past 15 years he has acquired a sound understanding of the architectonics of projects and construction technology. He possesses hands on experience working with leading architectural firms across South Africa. He is supported by an ever-developing team of hard working, dynamic individuals working together as a design team with a powerful focus on producing smart solutions. Collectively, they have more than 50 years of experience and have successfully completed acomprehensive spectrum of projects both nationally & internationally. These projects range from small scale to large scale developments across different typologies such as commercial, educational, industrial, religious, and residential; all of them receiving different solutions as they present us with different challenges.

We provide full architectural services from ‘Initiation stage’ to ‘Close-Out’. We can be commissioned to carry out full service or partial services. For a partial services package, the remaining services can be performed by an alternative consultant or architectural professional identified by the client. The building delivery process follows a sequential flow of professional services which has been agreed to by all professional disciplines within the construction industry.  This delivery process is grouped into three parts, with the fees apportioned in each stage as follows:

Part A  –  Design

Stage 1     Inception       2%

Stage 2    Concept and Viability   15%

Stage 3    Design Development    20%

Part B  –  Contract Documatation

Stage 4.1  Approval Documentation 10%

Stage 4.2 Technical Documentation and Procurement  20%

Part C  –  Contract Administration

Stage 5  Construction  27%

Stage 6  Close-out       3%

 The following are some of the services we provide:  

  • Master Planning
  • Architecture
  • Interior Design
  • Contract Administration
  • Building Information Modelling (BIM) & 3D Visualisation
  • Inspection/Condition Reports, Defect lists and Building Surveys