Designand Align

WHO IS NIKITA LOPES RAJOO?

I am the co-founder of OMNI Architects alongside Om Moodley and I am the Design Architect for the majority of the projects. I try to focus on both the architectural aspects as well as delve into interior design where necessary. When I’m not in the office, I’m either at the gym or doing some outdoor activities.

WHY ARCHITECTURE?

To be very honest, I didn’t initially choose architecture - it somehow chose me. Architecture is such an amazing career as it is so intertwined with many aspects of our lives. It literally makes you learn a little bit about everything, and that is what drew me to it even more. I never get bored and I’m just constantly learning.

HOW DID YOU END UP WHERE YOU ARE TODAY?

I worked for six years in two amazing companies before I decided to take the leap to start my own practice. It was a rough start, and I had many challenges being such a young female in the industry, but the constant support from family, friends and clients made me push through. I can’t wait for more exciting milestones in the company. It really has grown from strength to strength.

WHAT IS IT LIKE WORKING AS A FEMALE IN THIS PROFESSION?

I cannot lie - it’s not a bed of roses. It definitely takes much more effort and a longer time to become “recognised” as a female architect in the community.

The biggest challenge for me personally (adding the factor that I am young) would be that some men generally get upset and defensive when I display an assertive disposition about a design element or a construction issue. However, work is work and it must be treated as such. I think that is something that still needs a lot of work in the community. What is an advantage is that architecture definitely requires a lot of multi-tasking - something females are very good at.

WHAT INSPIRES YOU TO WORK HARD IN YOUR FIELD, PUSHING BOUNDARIES AND MAKING STRIDES?

Other amazing, influential architects are the people who inspire me. I look at what they have done, admire it, and try to do better. I also challenge myself a lot with the type of projects I take on. Diversity is important to me. I am currently working on three schools (one of them specialising in special needs) and a police station and prison - which is very interesting. I try to never repeat specific design details I have done in my projects and always push the boundaries for new ideas. I absolutely love trying new things which, in many instances, makes the engineers and contractors crazy!

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE OTHER WOMEN STARTING OUT IN YOUR FIELD OF WORK?

Don’t underestimate yourself. People will definitely try to make you second-guess yourself. Don’t let them! Stay confident and keep smiling. Never give up! Please keep researching and learning from other influential architects. Lastly, never forget that the experiences in your life are what will make your designs stand out.

EMBRACING Holistic Care

A New Generation of Health and Wellness

In a fast-paced world where health concerns are complex, the pursuit of comprehensive, efficient and personalised healthcare has become increasingly vital. PearlsMED is an innovative medical facility that employs a holistic approach to not only treating ailments but also promoting overall well-being and prevention. The concept of the centre is the combined brainchild of the Ehlers family and Ruan Fourie.

At the heart of the centre lies a team of compassionate general medical practitioners: Dr Francois Ehlers, Dr Vincent Ehlers, Dr Rachel Shannon and Dr Le-Jean Ehlers - each with a different area of expertise. Together, with a deep understanding of the interconnections between various aspects of health, the team is able to cater to the needs of any patient requiring care.

The role of restoring function, enhancing mobility and alleviating pain is the domain of physiotherapists Ruan Fourie and Dominic Haussamer, who work closely alongside an expert team of allied practitioners.

Dr Devin Chetty and his team are responsible for transforming smiles and enhancing oral health. Whether it’s routine check-ups or complex restorative procedures, Dr Devin focuses on comfort and embraces the latest advancements in dental technology to nurture healthy smiles in the community.

PearlsMED houses a cutting-edge radiology department focused on breast and bone health. Equipped with x-rays, digital mammography and bone density scanning, this section aims to provide early detection and diagnosis of injuries, breast cancer and osteoporosis. With a team of skilled radiologists, the centre offers comprehensive screening programmes and follows up with targeted interventions, fostering a proactive approach to women's health and skeletal well-being.

Dr Rachel Shannon is a biochemist and medical doctor practicing as a General

Practitioner. She is also a mom to two little girls aged four and 20 months. Dr Rachel grew up in a family that focused on health promotion - her grandmother, a yoga teacher, opened the first health shop in South Africa in 1967.

She spent six years in the field of biochemistry, studying and developing animal models for type 2 diabetes. It was here that her love for hormones and medicine evolved. She was awarded a scholarship by the International Diabetes Federation in 2011 to present her master’s thesis at the World Diabetes Congress in Dubai. She was offered to pursue her PhD, but instead took a career turn into medicine. “I am passionate about empowering patients. In 2023, my mission is to offer my patients access to excellent healthcare,” she explains.

Dr Le-Jean Ehlers, the newest addition to PearlsMED, is a General Practitioner with a special interest in women’s health, medical weight loss options and aesthetic medicine. She is passionate about empowering individuals to live their healthiest and most confident lives.

Dedicated to the well-being of her female patients, she offers an array of services to support their health. From annual medical check-ups and PAP smears to thorough breast examinations and IUD insertions, patients can trust her for proactive and personalised care. With a compassionate approach, she works closely with her patients and an in-house dietitian, providing tailored programmes and guidance to help achieve sustainable results.

Dr Le-Jean and her team also offer the innovative Allurion Gastric Balloon System placement and programme, further expanding the options available for weight-loss management. Furthermore, Dr Le-Jean has developed a growing interest in medical aesthetics. Through modern techniques and technologies, she offers rejuvenating treatments aimed at restoring her patients’ confidence and radiance.

The Multi-Disciplinary Medical Centre unites diverse medical disciplines to provide comprehensive and efficient care for a wide array of health-related concerns. Focusing on personalisation, prevention, and advanced technology, it revolutionises the way we approach healthcare, empowering individuals to lead healthier lives and fostering a community characterised by vitality, wellbeing, and longevity.