Women's Month Profile: ANTOINETTE KLOPPERS, SENIOR ASSOCIATE, PARAGON ARCHITECTS

This August, in celebration of Women’s Month, Leading Architecture + Design has profiled a dozen inspiring women in the fields of architecture, urbanism, interior design and engineering, showcasing their skills and achievements, as well as their views on the challenges that the industry faces.

ANTOINETTE KLOPPERS, SENIOR ASSOCIATE, PARAGON ARCHITECTS

Newly-appointed Senior Associate Antoinette Kloppers believes that architects have a “responsibility to shape and influence people’s experiences for the better”.

She graduated in 2005 from the University of Pretoria, and joined Paragon Architects in 2013. Her professional experience includes a wide variety of architectural projects, including educational, office, retail, residential, industrial and student housing.

She developed a keen interest in regulations and construction law and was offered the role of Head of Building Regulations in 2016. She also offers CPDaccredited workshops on building regulations and accessible architecture.

A notable achievement for Antoinette is that, after five years of balancing work, family life and studying, she has completed her studies with the Association of Arbitrators and is now qualified as an arbitrator.

The design of an all-inclusive environment is something she feels very passionate about. Her daughter has a hearing impairment, and she enthusiastically promotes the awareness of the rights of persons with disabilities.

“The industry, and the world for that matter, need to recognise the diversity of human beings,” she says. “We need to provide an inclusive environment where we all can refine and be compensated for our own unique skills on an equitable basis.”