African Design Magazine ADM #38 March 2018 | Page 34

PROFILE
‘unnecessary’ assets. We believe that cost
effectiveness and quality delivery are focal
points that we are able to achieve because
of our business model. We are constantly
upping our game and use our employee
diversity to play in a wide variety of markets,”
says Ngobeni.
The company’s original philosophy of
providing high-performance architecture
remains a cornerstone. “We want the
buildings we design to excel in terms of
performance of delivery. Because each
project is different, we have adopted a
flexible approach to design, leveraging our
communal experience and knowledge across
a number of sectors, to asses and deliver
unique performance criteria for each project
and client,” says Brooks.
While the majority of Activate’s projects
are in Gauteng, the company has worked
in other regions in South Africa and has a
history in the hospitality industry in Tanzania
and Kenya. “We don’t have satellite offices
but we accommodate clients no matter
where they are in southern Africa and we are
always keen to look at new markets,” says Van
der Wiel.
Key early projects were commissions for the
original Moyo at Melrose Arch and the Forum
Homini Hotel in the Cradle of Humankind.
The Lebone II College for the Royal Bafokeng
Community in Rustenberg and the 4-Star
Green Star certified SANRAL Corporate Head
Office in Tshwane were completed in 2010
and 2012 respectively. Recent highlights
include the 5-Star Green Star certified
Baywest office for Abacus Asset Management
in Port Elizabeth, completed in 2016; and the
award-winning Sol Plaatje New University
Student Residence and Science Centre in
Kimberley for the Department of Higher
Education and Training, completed in 2017.
Activate is a member of the South African
Institute of Architects, the Green Building
Council South Africa and the South African
Property Owners Association.
Watch Activate’s video
www.activate.co.za
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