Timber iQ February - March 2020 // Issue: 48 | Page 46

PERSONALITY PROFILE
Becoming a timber
architecture master
By Dineo Phoshoko
At the tender age of 23, Carla Jooste has already experienced timber
construction on an international level after winning the timber competition.
Her prize was spending five days in the Czech Republic where she learnt about
timber construction.
F
rom as early as 6-years-old, Jooste already knew
that her career would be in architecture. She was
intrigued by buildings and loved how a building had
its own character, form and function. “I have always been
a creative, well-organised and driven person and I think
this inspired me to pursue a career where there is always
something new to learn every day. It is a profession where
you can inspire, change and influence.”
After finishing matric, she enrolled for a bachelor’s degree, at
the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, in architecture
and completed her studies in 2018. Today she works for
Osmond Lange Architects as a candidate senior architectural
technologist. She has various responsibilities which include
working drawings, council submission drawings, feasibility
studies, client reports and presentation work.
LIFE AS AN ARCHITECT
The journey to becoming a senior architectural technologist
has not been an easy one. Jooste reminisces about the days
where she used to stare through the car window on her way
back from school – amazed at different building sites and the
progress of the projects. “I would draw my ‘dream house’ on
two A4 sheets of paper stuck together and create something I
liked,” she explains.
Becoming a successful architectural technologist, did not
happen without challenges. Jooste explains that the
challenges she faced in the architectural study industry, had a
major impact on decisions she made when she became a
full-time employee. “I think we face various trials; in fact, I
believe every profession is like that. In the profession of
architecture there is a lot of competition between designers,
always striving to have the best design.” To get around this,
Jooste felt it would be best to focus on her unique
characteristics, values and opinions that made her stand out
as an architect, designer and individual. Tapping into this
uniqueness meant finding inspiration from other designers and
learning from them – but to never compare her work with other
designers. “I believe everyone is completely unique and there
is beauty in every designer’s work, but it is important not to
lose the essence of creativity,” she explains.
Carla Jooste is a passionate senior architectural technologist.
44
FEBRUARY / MARCH 2020 //
For Jooste, the most challenging aspect about being an
architect is also rewarding at the same time. “I would say it
is extremely challenging as a designer, to complete the
projects as you originally envisioned from the original
concept.” In this case, Jooste emphasises that teamwork
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