Lead Conceptual Architect

Placements24; Upington; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Retirement fund

Leave allowance

Competitive salary

Professional development

Collaborative culture

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Lead Conceptual Architect for its Upington studio in the Northern Cape. You will helm early-stage explorations, guiding ideation and forming a distinctive architectural identity for upcoming projects.

You will lead workshops, develop compelling visuals, and present design visions to clients, stakeholders, and teams, pushing creative boundaries in a collaborative, boundary-pushing environment.

Qualifications

• Master’s or Bachelor’s degree in Architecture required.
• 7+ years of experience in architectural design with strong focus on early-stage conceptualization.
• Excellent presentation, communication, and storytelling skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead conceptualization and development of innovative design ideas for new projects.
• Conduct design research, explore precedents, and generate a wide range of creative solutions.
• Facilitate design charrettes and brainstorming with project teams and stakeholders.
• Develop visual presentations (sketches, renderings, concepts) to communicate design intent.
• Collaborate with architects and consultants to test feasibility of concepts.
• Champion unique design thinking and push creative boundaries.
• Inspire and guide design teams and contribute to thought leadership in design innovation.
• Explore Upington’s context to inspire architectural concepts.

Skills

Design leadership

Conceptual ideation

Public speaking

Workshop facilitation

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s in Architecture

Tools

Rhino

SketchUp

Grasshopper

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a visionary architectural firm known for its boundary-pushing designs and innovative approaches, is seeking a Lead Conceptual Architect for their growing studio in Upington, Northern Cape . This role is dedicated to the early-stage design exploration and ideation process, shaping the fundamental concepts and unique identities of upcoming projects. The ideal candidate will possess exceptional creativity, a strong artistic sensibility, and the ability to translate abstract ideas into compelling architectural visions. You will lead concept development workshops, generate innovative design solutions, and present these visions to clients and stakeholders with persuasive storytelling. This is a rare opportunity to influence the direction of significant projects from their inception, working within a stimulating and collaborative environment in the unique landscape of the Northern Cape . Our client values boldness, originality, and a passion for redefining architectural possibilities.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the conceptualization and development of innovative architectural design ideas for new projects.
• Conduct design research, explore precedents, and generate a wide range of creative solutions.
• Facilitate and lead design charrettes and brainstorming sessions with project teams and stakeholders.
• Develop compelling visual presentations, including sketches, renderings, and conceptual models, to communicate design intent.
• Collaborate with other architects and consultants to test the feasibility of conceptual ideas.
• Champion unique design thinking and challenge conventional approaches.
• Inspire and guide design teams to push creative boundaries.
• Contribute to the firm's thought leadership in architectural design innovation.

Explore how the unique context of Upington, Northern Cape can inspire architectural concepts.

Requirements

• Master's or Bachelor's degree in Architecture with a strong portfolio of conceptual work.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in architectural design, with a significant focus on early-stage conceptualization.
• Exceptional creative talent and a highly developed aesthetic sensibility.
• Proficiency in sketching, digital illustration, and 3D conceptual modeling software (e.g., Rhino, SketchUp, Grasshopper).
• Excellent presentation, communication, and storytelling skills.
• Ability to think critically, abstractly, and generate novel ideas.Experience in leading design workshops and engaging with diverse stakeholders.
• A strong understanding of architectural history and theory.
• Passion for design exploration and a drive to innovate.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary package reflective of creative leadership.
• Opportunity to shape the initial vision of groundbreaking architectural projects.
• Work in a dynamic and inspiring studio environment in Upington, Northern Cape .
• Professional development focused on creative thinking and design innovation.
• Collaborative team culture that encourages experimentation.
• Comprehensive medical aid and retirement fund.
• Generous annual leave allowance.
• Chance to make a significant artistic and architectural statement.