PROFILE RETAIL
VISION
To be the preferred architectural practice in Africa, offering an inclusive design lead service, while providing creative and viable solutions for our clients.
LEAD
We empower ourselves across numerous specialist fields into becoming the industry leaders. By applying our expert knowledge, we lead clients towards creative and viable solutions. By actively exploring new technologies and methods, we are actively leading the change into how we build the future, providing design led answers
BUILD
By building relationships in diverse industries, we benefit our clients and unlock project potentials and opportunities. We aim to build careers trough empowerment and continuous learning, building sustainable solutions for generations.
DESIGN
We structure our business through continuous process improvements to offer a design process that enables effective life cycle management. This process affords a focused and purposeful design solution for every project by utilising our rich and varied knowledge base to turn fact into wonder.
SVA International was established in 1943 as Stauch and Partners by the well-known and influential Bauhaus trained architect, Hellmut Stauch. A leading teacher and practitioner in the Pretoria Regionalism movement during the 40s and 50s, Stauch’s output of domestic architecture was prolific. Larger commissions followed, and through projects influenced by Modernism, the Brazilian movement, a strict concern for local conditions, economy of materials and efficiently accommodating function; Stauch Vorster Architects grew into a leading national practice with offices in Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg, Namibia, Pretoria and Maputo. Seventy five years since inception, SVA International has seen much change. With offices in Southern, Western and Eastern Africa, the practice is engaged in projects throughout the African continent. The offices have gained solid reputations for successfully completing more than a thousand architectural projects during this term, ranging across a spectrum of scale, form and function. Currently the practice has offices in the following cities: Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg, Maputo, Port Louis and Port Elizabeth.
SVA International strategically positioned itself on the African continent to provide appropriate specialisation and services tailored to each market it operates in. There is no “one answer fits all” approach. With the exception of building type specialisation, which stems from a deep experience driven knowledge base, SVA started building up its service offering as well. In 2004 the Urban Design unit was established with a focus on infrastructural markets as major international funding is focused in this sector. To facilitate further growth opportunities in South Africa and abroad, SVA sought to secure an appropriate investment partner. The selection criteria were as follows:
• Complimentary service offering to
• build in-house capabilities.
• An entrepreneurial approach to construction and development opportunities locally and abroad.
• A strong financial ability to assist in the growth vision.
• A cultural fit in order to allow for the independence of SVA as a brand.
• A strong synergy allowing for both SVA and our investor to benefit from the partnership. After a carefully managed process, the SVA/ GIBB partnership was achieved, providing the benefits required:
• SVA will remain a fully independent architectural practice with an enhanced geographical presence and infrastructure.
• SVA will ensure continuity of all existing relationships and strategic alliances, while offering a more comprehensive service to clients and colleagues.
• SVA will offer a fully empowered national and international architectural service.
• SVA will establish a permanent presence in the major African centres, allowing a comprehensive service to all current and new clients.
• SVA assures all our colleagues of a dynamic, skilled and committed partnership in Africa and internationally.
Having successfully negotiated the partnership in 2014, SVA International (Pty) Ltd. now forms part of the GIBB Group of Companies.
• A dynamic, shared vision of growth locally and internationally.
• A shared vision for the African continent.
SERVICES
The practice offers a comprehensive range of services under Urban Design and Architecture. These services include Project Management, Heritage Consultancy, Brief Development, Feasibility Studies and Green Building Construction. We are able to provide design expertise for any scale and type of project, ranging from large urban precincts, through to complex buildings and small detailed work. The practice is structured on the principle that specialist knowledge and support is readily available from one office to another, ensuring maximum benefit to the client irrespective of where the project is located.
The following categories of building types are relevant:
• Retail and Shopping Centres
• Convention Centres
• Tourism and Leisure (casinos, hotels, motels and lodges)
• Legislative, Administrative and Civic (all levels)
• Health Care (all levels)
• Education (all levels)
• Housing (high, medium, low density and low income)
• Recreation and Entertainment (cinemas, stadia and race courses)
• Recycling, Restoration and Renovation
• Offices (city and suburban)
• Corporate and Administration buildings
• Urban Design and Town Centres
• Specialist buildings, including:
o TV/Radio and Communication
o Transport Terminals
o Research, Technical and Process
o Hi-Tech Electronic, Commercial, Distribution and Industrial (buildings, parks)
CAPACITY AND CAPABILITY
Staff and Technical Resources
SVA International has a permanent staff complement of 106 people of which 90 are Professional staff in the following categories:
STAFF CAPACITY
The practice utilizes Autodesk, Revit BIM Software and has as permanent staff members three BIM Managers. In addition to implementing intermediate and expert level upskilling modules for all production staff on an ongoing basis, these managers are responsible for project BIM execution plans and Quality Assurance of BIM models. The development and maintenance of Revit standards, templates and user protocols are undertaken on an ongoing basis and result in a highly developed BIM environment.
TECHNICAL SUPPORT
Advanced computerised technology is integral to our office environment, ensuring that our projects obtain the maximum skill from each member of staff. This IT support forms the basis of the office production infrastructure and is resourced out to each project.
QUALITY CONTROL
The practice operates within the parameters of the SVA International Practice Manual, which was developed in 1970, and has been updated annually to accommodate changes in the industry. This manual circumscribes technical and project management quality and procedures, both in the office and on-site. Regular in-house seminars ensure all offices within the group share current knowledge.
ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT
SVA International (PTY) Ltd. is a proud BB-BEEE Level 1 Contributor.
Grand Plaza Mövenpick, Dubai Hilton Garden Inn, Gaborone CTICC Phase 2, Cape Town Business Connexion Headquarters, Centurion The Sanctuary, Cape Town Constantia Emporium, Cape Town
Constantia Emporium
Jackal Creek Corner
Kyalami Corner
Tubatse Mall
Westgate Mall
Forbach Commercial Centre
