Building safety has moved into the spotlight in South Africa. Recent structural failures and collapses have raised difficult questions about compliance, oversight and accountability throughout construction.

The launch of the National Built Environment and Construction Safety Framework in July 2026 is therefore significant. It seeks to strengthen safety, regulatory compliance and accountability, and improve collaboration between government, regulators, municipalities, developers, contractors and built-environment professionals.

For architects and other professionals, this is more than another layer of regulation. Safe buildings depend on a chain of responsibility from competent design and documentation through procurement, construction, inspection and final certification.

Technology also has a role to play. Better coordination between disciplines, digital project information and site monitoring can identify problems earlier and provide clearer records of decisions and responsibilities.

South Africa needs to build more and deliver infrastructure faster, but pressure to deliver quickly and cheaply must never compromise safety. Recent failures remind us what is at stake when safeguards break down.

Ultimately, building safety is a collective responsibility. Strong regulation matters, alongside professional competence, ethical practice, effective oversight and a commitment to maintaining standards throughout a project.

Louise Fenner Publisher and Editor louisef @ archibuild. co. za

PROJECTS

36 5 DOCK ROAD The 98-unit development introduces apartments above Battery Park, linking the Canal District with the V & A Waterfront and the CBD.

46 JUNXION PARK This 11,475m ² commercial office development forms the primary commercial node within Century City’ s six-hectare, mixed-use Ratanga Park precinct.

56 SANDTON GATE CENTRAL The second phase of Sandton Gate introduces a retail centre and two office towers within a walkable, mixed-use precinct.

66 OMNI SQUARE A contemporary open-air retail development in Bassonia that brings together shopping, dining, landscape and public space around a pedestrian spine.

76 MALL OF MTHATHA Formerly BT Ngebs City, the mall has been reimagined through a R225 million refurbishment that reconnects its retail and parking levels.

84 NEWLANDS CRICKET GROUND The redevelopment of the cricket ground’ s northern portion creates a mixed-use sports, educational and commercial campus while retaining the iconic stadium.

94 GARDEN WALK MALL A 20,000m ² neighbourhood retail and lifestyle centre in Hartenbos, designed to respond to the Garden Route’ s growing year-round community.

104 INTERIOR FEATURE: SPORTY GROUP Giant Leap’ s design for Sporty Group’ s office balances the brand’ s energy and team culture with warmth, sophistication and connections to the outdoors.

FEATURES

109 OUR 22-PAGE ANNUAL BATHROOMS FEATURE

DEPARTMENTS

4 NEWS WATCH 12 FEATURE ARTICLE: Early Stakeholder Engagement in Infrastructure 14 PHOTOGRAPHER FOCUS: Louis van Zyl 16 PRACTICE WATCH: dhk Architects 26 PROJECT WATCH 102 INTERIOR WATCH 130 ADVERTISERS, SUBSCRIPTION & CONTACT INFORMATION

Contents 3

Architect and Builder Q3 Sep 2026 | Page 3

Architect and Builder Q3 SEPTEMBER 2026 | VOLUME 77 | ISSUE 3

Architect and Builder Q3 SEPTEMBER 2026 | VOLUME 77 | ISSUE 3

CONTENTS

Building safety has moved into the spotlight in South Africa. Recent structural failures and collapses have raised difficult questions about compliance, oversight and accountability throughout construction.