same same but different

The built environment is one of the few industries within the formal sector that has seen some growth in the last few months. But like all industries, construction is complex, and its growth is uneven. This episode follows the chaotic days, mostly on the road, of two architects who own and manage their own firms in Johannesburg. While their projects range from niche ones like cat cafés to everyday house renovations, their daily realities of being sent from pillar to post, endless admin, and racking up kilometres on the road are both endearing and illuminating. Join us as we journey with Steven Sotiriou from Urban Signature Architects and Sisikelele Mlambisa from Imvelo Studios, through one day in their lives.

 

Show Notes:

Host: Pheladi Sethusa

Producuer: Kabir Jugram

Editing, writing and sound design: Pheladi Sethusa

Graphic design: Mutsa Katsidzira

Theme music: Trench Work by Ketsa, Free Music Archive, CC BY

Additional music: Hanami Matsuri (花見祭り) by Fabian Measures, Free Music Archive, CC BY

This series is a Showing Shortly production and made possible thanks to grant funding from Africa No Filter and forms part of the Work Reimagined Storylab. Another big thanks to our publishing partners, the Currency News.

 

If you want to fall further into the rabbit hole:

• Steven Sotiriou, Urban Signature Architects
• Sisikelele Mlambisa, Imvelo Studios
• Pretoria Institute for Architecture survey
• South African Council for the Architectural Profession fee calculator
• Guideline for professional fees
• Statistics South Africa Quarterly Labour Force Survey