SAIA has written to two Cabinet Ministers asking South Africa to put cities and the built environment at the heart of its positions at CHOGM 2026 and COP31 this November.

I was recently asked by a client why their Architect had recommended that they spend time with us - their friendly kitchen design specialists - when surely an Architect is more than qualified to design a kitchen. It sparked a conversation we often have with Architects we haven’t yet had the pleasure of working with. And the answer is actually quite simple. Of course an Architect is qualified to design a kitchen. But kitchen design is what we specialise in. When you work withi

R2 million PI cover from R1 590 a year, underwritten by Lloyd's, with five years' run-off and a suite of extensions included. Here's how the revived APIGIS scheme works and how to join.

SAIA members in good standing are invited to apply for nomination to the UIA's Commissions, Boards and Work Programmes. Young architects encouraged. Applications close Wednesday 21 October 2026 at 12:00.

Architecture gains meaning when it leaves the drawing board and enters public life. That was the quiet force behind the 37th Sophia Gray Memorial Lecture and Exhibition, held on 27 August 2026 in Bloemfontein. More than a calendar event for the profession, it brought together memory, practice, education, and civic debate in a city deeply tied to South Africa’s architectural history. Facilitated by the Department of Architecture at the University of the Free State, the 2026 ed

By Hugh Fraser, with contributions from Tshepiso Motsila Architecture is shaped by buildings, but it is carried forward by people, practices and institutions that hold the profession to a higher standard. On 27 August 2026, the SAIA National Convention brought that wider contribution into focus during an afternoon ceremony dedicated to recognition, service and excellence. The convention gathered the SAIA community to honour individuals and practices whose work has strengthene

Cities are expanding faster than many systems can adapt. Housing, water, access, mobility, public space, and design practice now sit inside the same urgent question: who gets to shape urban life, and who gets left out? The Sophia Gray Mini Conference, held on 27 August at the University of the Free State, took up this question through the theme “Right to the City in an Urbanising World.” As part of the Spatial Reset programme, the event brought global perspectives into conver

By Themba Orvall Maluleke My journey to Barcelona was more than a trip. It was an experience of architecture, learning, culture, discovery and reflection. Representing South Africa at the UIA General Assembly in Barcelona was both an honour and a privilege. To be part of a global gathering of architects and to engage with professionals, researchers and thought leaders from across the world reminded me of the important role architecture plays in shaping not only our cities, bu

DPWI's Integrated Social Facilitation Framework is already moving to implementation, naming architects at Design Development stage and proposing a new SACPCMP-registered profession — with no SAIA response on record yet.

The Draft Built Environment Professions Bill, 2026 would repeal all seven built-environment Acts — including SACAP's — and replace them with a single Act and a single regulator. Comments close 23 September 2026.

Architecture in South Africa is carrying more than design ambition. It is carrying unsettled questions about fees, procurement, education, leadership, public value, and the shape of cities that must serve more people with more care. That was the ground taken up on the opening day of Spatial Reset through Connect & Deliberate, a programme built around dialogue rather than display. It brought practitioners, academics, and stakeholders into shared discussion on three linked area

New adventures, new faces at the SAIA Secretariat; in loving memory of Dr Gwendoline Elizabeth Fagan; and a position paper on why SAIA is introducing a Gold Medal of Architectural Practice alongside its Individual Awards.

Dr Gwendoline Elizabeth “Gwen” Fagan (25 September 1924 – 17 July 2026) — medical doctor, historical researcher, landscape architect and author — passed away peacefully, just short of her 102nd birthday.

Global architects united for progress: the UIA World Congress of Architects 2026 took place in Barcelona from 28 June to 2 July, bringing together architects, urbanists and built-environment professionals from more than 130 countries.

SAIA has submitted six concerns on the draft Procurement Regulations to National Treasury and confirmed its support for CASA's parallel submission, warning the draft risks disqualifying qualified practices and undermining design integrity.

A new Coordinating Committee for the built environment, an internal appeals mechanism, and updated definitions — the NBR Amendment Bill is open for comment until 3 September 2026.

The Gauteng Institute for Architecture (GIfA) remembers with deep sadness the passing of Architect Bester-Compaan, a member of GIfA and SAIA since 2015 who worked with SCS Architects (Alberton).

Download the original newsletter (PDF) A reminder that SAIA's Annual General Meeting takes place on 23 June 2026 at 17:00 via Zoom — all members are encouraged to attend. 2026 SAIA Corobrik Awards of Excellence The 2026 SAIA Awards of Excellence, sponsored by Corobrik, took place on 28 May at the historic Rand Club in Johannesburg, bringing together architects, built environment professionals, industry partners and guests from across the country. The ceremony also marked Jane

SAIA joins the International Union of Architects and the profession across Africa in mourning the passing of Chief Olufemi Adetokunbo Majekodunmi, the first African President of the UIA, who died on 5 June 2026 at the age of 86.

The Gauteng Institute for Architecture (GIfA) remembers with sadness the passing of Architect George Boorsma, a valued member of both GIfA and SAIA since 2005 and owner of INK Architects.