Luyanda is a Cape Town based Architect & Urban Design practitioner, passionate about socially relevant architecture with a focus on the transformation of urban environments, in particular reimagining our cities as inclusive, affordable and liveable environments, accessible to all. He obtained his Masters’ in Architecture at the Technical University of Berlin, Germany. He is the Director of Architecture & Design Network and has been practicing since relocation from Berlin in 2000. His education in South Africa was interrupted when he was incarcerated on Robben Island Prison in 1981 for his activism against Apartheid. After his release in 1986, he left for Germany, where he spent 15 years in exile.

He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Science and Technology from the Walter Sisulu University in 2010 for his contribution to innovative, socially relevant design and technology. He belongs to the select group of Black Students to be enrolled for Architecture in late 70’s and has been vocal about promoting the transformation of the Architectural Profession. Currently he is an Adjunct Professor at the UCT, African Centre for Cities.

Luyanda is former President of the South African Institute of Architects (SAIA). He is a member of SACAP (South African Institute for the Architectural Profession) and UDISA,(Urban Design Institute of South Africa). He has received various design Awards, including SAIA/Corobrik Award of Excellence in 2006 for the South African Embassy building in Berlin, Germany. He was the recipient of USA based Curry Stone Design Prize in 2008 for the Design Indaba Sandbag Low-Cost House in Mitchells Plein, Cape Town in 2010. He was part of the technical team of advisors for the construction of the 2010 World Cup Stadia in South Africa.

He has served in various Boards & Councils, currently in the Board of South African Tourism but, has also served in the South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA) as Chairperson, the National Heritage Council (NHC), and previously, the Robben Island Museum Council and the Board of the South African Institute of Architects (SAIA). He also previously served in the Councils of UCT and the Walter Sisulu University (WSU).

Luyanda Mpahlwa CV

Ulrike Mpahlwa has 25 years of experience in Architecture & Urban Design. She obtained her Masters in Architecture at the Academy of the Arts University, in Berlin 1996 and started her career in Berlin, at Herwart+Holz’, Urban Planning and Architecture (former MAIC-Stadt). She relocated to Cape Town in 1997, where she pursued post-grad Architecture/Urban Design studies under Prof Uytenbogaart at UCT.

Thereafter, she worked at Aaron J. Wegman Architect and Urban Planner for 10 years, where her extensive knowledge in social housing developed. She joined DesignSpaceAfrica in 2007 and has headed the Urban Design department at Design Network since 2021.

Ulrike Mpahlwa CV