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Editor ' s Note Elroy van Heerden-Mays
Every year, SA Building Review( SABR) gives us a chance to pause and take stock of where South Africa’ s built environment is heading.
In 2026, the momentum is undeniable. Demand for residential, industrial, and commercial property – particularly in areas such as Cape Town and Gauteng – is strong, helping to reinvigorate the architectural and construction sectors.( We hold thumbs that lower interest rates and a stronger rand will persist throughout the year.)
Over the years, we have seen an uptake in mixed-use developments, which are now playing a key role in city planning – blending living, working, and leisure in ways that reflect how urban life is evolving.
What is truly great to see is the incredible ingenuity of our architects – just take a look at any of the projects featured in this edition.
Overall, the built environment sector looks to be promising for the year ahead. There are some challenges such as profitability and skills shortages, but I have always maintained that challenges are opportunities waiting to be unlocked. We need to invest in talent, strengthen partnerships, and embrace digital tools to enhance efficiencies.
We are seeing that design philosophies are changing. Biophilic elements, organic forms, and adaptive reuse are replacing sterile minimalism, creating spaces that feel more human-centred( see page 18).
There is steady progress with regard to sustainability. Net-zero mandates and climate-resilient infrastructure are pushing architects to design buildings that can withstand floods, droughts, and energy instability.
While all this is exciting, we have to remain cognisant of quality standards. If we compromise on standards, we undermine infrastructure and increase long term costs( see page 34).
Architecture and construction sectors are positioned to be an economic catalyst. The bigger picture is clear – our built environment must be globally competitive and maintain high quality-standards while driving authenticity.
A big thank you to all our contributors and advertisers for making this a great edition!
E lroy van Heerden-Mays lroy van Heerden-Mays
VOLUME 14 | 2026
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