news and updates

As we close the chapter on another year of ideas, collaboration, and creating spaces that matter, we want to express our heartfelt thanks to our clients, partners, collaborators and team. Your trust and shared vision have made this year one of growth and meaningful connections.

Wishing you a joyful festive season and a bright, inspiring start to the year ahead!

#GAPP

A proud moment for our team - Singita Ebony has been awarded at the SAIA Mpumalanga Regional Awards 2025! Thank you to our collaborators and clients for trusting the vision.

Bonteheuwel Infill Housing Project (273 units)

Client: City of Cape Town: Dep. Of Human Settlements
Project Managers: OWS Civils (PTY) Ltd & Bosch Projects
Contractor: ASLA Construction (PTY) Ltd
Urban Design and Architecture: GAPP
Landscape Architecture: TKLA
Town Planning: Jono Trust

Completion date May/June 2026

GAPP has had the privilege of forming part of the professional team responsible for the design and implementation of the Bonteheuwel infill housing projects for the CoCT housing programmes.

The Bonteheuwel Infill Housing Project is one of several initiatives providing homes to beneficiaries of the City’s Housing Allocation Policy and the Housing Needs Register. Of the three sites in Bonteheuwel, one has recently been completed and handed over to its new residents, while the remaining two sites are scheduled for completion by June 2026. In total, this project will deliver 273 Breaking New Ground (BNG) homes.

Beyond housing, the project includes stormwater ponds a new park and a soccer field which are to be completed in the near future – amenities eagerly awaited by residents.

During our recent visit, we were moved by residents’ gratitude and joy as they have settled into their new homes. While visiting site two, we were welcomed by one of the residents sitting on his porch below the backdrop of his hand painted mural positioned near his front door, admiring the beginnings of his cultivated garden. He mentioned he received the keys to his new home on his birthday, expressing the joy he felt on this day. His story is one of many examples of the way residents have found a way to make their house a home. Almost all of the homes have the house number painted adjacent a mural that resonates with the resident – some display verses from the Bible or Qur’an, their affiliation with the Free Palestine Movement, and some paintings of a sunny Cape Town beach day – a quiet echo of the artistry once seen in District Six.

It was equally heartwarming to see children playing in shared streets and open spaces between the houses, proof that these developments foster community life.

GAPP were recently invited to submit a proposal in a competition call to reimagine the Arts & Social Sciences Building at Stellenbosch University - although a more modern building than most at the university (now 40 years old), the building and it`s location are deeply rooted in the town’s cultural and academic life.

Our proposal set out to also create an environment that is welcoming, inclusive and accessible to all, while honoring the heritage and timeless character of Stellenbosch. Through thoughtful, contextually sensitive design, we envisioned a building that not only supports learning and collaboration but also reflects the spirit and academic mission of the university itself.

GAPP were runners-up, but it was a valuable and rewarding experience to engage with a project situated within the University of Stellenbosch - allowing us to apply our thinking within the university’s framework and in response to its rich cultural and contextual setting.

1 - Proposed Façade Design
2 - Sketch: Entrance Interface to Reyneveld Street
3 - Sketch: Sections (Existing and Proposed)
4 & 5 - North and South Elevations
6 & 7- Facade Renders
8 & 9 – Facade Renders

Happy World Sustainability Day!

We’re proud to highlight three GAPP projects that embody innovation and environmental responsibility.

Slides 1- 3
Project: Brackenfell Nature Reserve
Cape Town
2022 - on-going

The Bracken Nature Reserve stands as a beacon of conservation and renewal. Once a quarry site, its renosterveld fynbos has been beautifully restored. At its heart lies the Bracken Visitor Education Centre - a 120-seat venue blending restored historical structures with sustainable, industrial-style design. Natural light, efficient fittings, and smart systems like motion-sensor lighting and rainwater harvesting reduce energy and water use, showcasing true eco-conscious innovation. With a focus on healthy indoor environments and green mobility options, the centre embodies sustainability inside and out. Recently awarded a 5-Star Green Building Design Rating, this milestone celebrates a future driven by conservation, architecture, and sustainable design.

Slides 4- 6
Project: UCT Lecture Theatre
Cape Town
2016

UCT’s new lecture theatre sets a benchmark for excellence, sustainability, and inclusivity. Located on Upper Campus, the 400-seat facility blends seamlessly into the historic landscape, featuring natural zinc roofing that’s durable, low-maintenance, and fully recyclable. Sustainability is built into every detail, from Virginia creepers that provide natural shading to smart systems like automated windows, motion-sensor lighting, and rainwater harvesting. Earning a 4-Star Green Building Certification, UCT joins NMMU as one of South Africa’s only universities with an accredited green building - a proud step toward a more sustainable and inclusive future.

Slides 7- 9
Project: SARETC
Cape Town
2013 - 2014

Designed as a hub for innovation and collaboration, the Renewable Energy Centre at CPUT drives research, training, and industry partnerships in solar and wind power. The facility features a full-sized nacelle wind turbine, blade repair lab, training tower, and solar laboratory with a dedicated roof deck for hands-on learning. A true catalyst for sustainable progress, the Centre champions renewable energy education and innovation across South Africa.

Looks like someone’s on the mark- literally! Congrats to Mark Mohan for smashing our in-house Revit assessment with a top score of 93.10%. Revit goals unlocked!

#GAPP

A week later and we’re still inspired! Thank you to everyone who joined us for Open Studios 2025 - what an incredible evening of creativity, conversation, and community.

@openstudiosza
@klaysouthafrica
@duravit
@corobrikza