Following the democratisation of South Africa in 1994, the Affirmative Action
policy, which seeks to redress past imbalances, encouraged those firms from
previously disadvantaged sectors to work with established firms and individuals
on a variety of projects. Ethekwini City Architectural Department appointed the
firm as a consultant to undertake Development Management, as well as research and project initiation, where it guides and advises professional teams appointed
by the Department. In particular, much of the City Health Department’s facilities
are undertaken by the firm under this appointment, although other projects include
a scheme for a new City Library and the upgrading of a City area identified as
being historically significant.

Although the firm has been involved in a broad range of building types, a large proportion of its commissions has consisted of Health related facilities. While a variety of research projects have augmented the firm’s understanding of Health service provision, especially in remote rural areas generally characterised by high levels of poverty and low levels of education. Much of this work has involved the upgrading of existing hospitals where, having generated a masterplan, it has been commissioned to implement the proposals in defined phases. Apart from the standard services provided, the documentation has included logistical solutions to the facility continuing to function normally during construction programmes.

The firm strives to find a balance between the client’s requirements and the availability of skills and materials and this can only be established through a thorough understanding of the client’s need – in several cases the firm has been responsible for writing the brief and generating the schedule of accommodation.