Principal Conservation Architect

Placements24; East London; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,600,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Medical aid

Pension fund

Professional growth opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Principal Conservation Architect for its East London office. The role leads projects focused on the restoration, conservation, and revitalization of historic buildings across the Eastern Cape.

You will provide technical expertise, strategic planning, and mentor a conservation team to deliver high-impact heritage projects. The successful candidate will drive research, develop conservation strategies, and liaise with heritage bodies and authorities, ensuring compliance

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Architecture with a clear specialization in Heritage Conservation or Historic Preservation.
• Minimum of 15 years of professional experience, with at least 10 years in conservation architecture and heritage management.
• Registered Architect with SACAP and experience with heritage legislation and governance.

Responsibilities

• Lead architectural design and planning for complex heritage conservation and adaptive reuse projects.
• Conduct historical research, fabric analysis, and heritage impact assessments.
• Develop conservation strategies, treatment plans and design proposals for heritage structures.
• Ensure adherence to national and international conservation principles and guidelines.
• Liaise with heritage bodies, authorities, municipalities and heritage organizations.
• Manage project teams, consultants and contractors, ensuring quality and integrity.
• Prepare reports, documentation, and presentations for regulatory approvals and clients.
• Provide expert advice on conservation of historical architecture and materials.

Skills

Heritage conservation

Leadership

Client liaison

Research & analysis

Education

Master's degree in Architecture with Heritage Conservation

Tools

Architectural documentation software

Visualization tools

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a highly respected architectural practice with a specialized focus on heritage preservation and adaptive reuse, is seeking a Principal Conservation Architect for their **East London** office. This senior position is crucial for leading projects that involve the sensitive restoration, conservation, and revitalization of historic buildings and sites across the **Eastern Cape**. The Principal Architect will be responsible for technical expertise, strategic planning, client liaison, and mentorship of a dedicated conservation team. This is a distinguished opportunity to profoundly impact the region's built heritage.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the architectural design and planning for complex heritage conservation and adaptive reuse projects.
• Conduct thorough historical research, building fabric analysis, and heritage impact assessments.
• Develop detailed conservation strategies, treatment plans, and design proposals for heritage structures.
• Ensure strict adherence to national and international conservation principles and guidelines.
• Liaise effectively with heritage bodies, provincial authorities, local municipalities, and heritage organizations.
• Manage project teams, consultants, and contractors, ensuring quality and integrity throughout the process.
• Prepare high-quality reports, documentation, and presentations for regulatory approvals and client briefings.
• Provide expert advice on the conservation of historical architecture and materials.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Architecture or equivalent, with a clear specialization and significant post-graduate study in Heritage Conservation or Historic Preservation.
• Minimum of 15 years of professional experience, with at least 10 years dedicated to conservation architecture and heritage management.
• Demonstrated expertise in the conservation and adaptive reuse of significant historical buildings.
• Extensive knowledge of South African heritage legislation, policies, and heritage resources.
• Proficiency in architectural documentation software and visualization tools.
• Exceptional research, analytical, and problem-solving skills related to historic structures.
• Strong leadership, project management, and client communication abilities.
• Registered Professional Architect with SACAP.
• Experience working with heritage sites and projects in **East London** and the **Eastern Cape** is essential.

Benefits

• A highly competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package commensurate with this senior role.
• The privilege of working on historically significant and culturally important projects in the **Eastern Cape**.
• Extensive opportunities for professional growth and leadership in the field of conservation.
• Comprehensive medical aid, pension fund, and other employee benefits.
• A supportive and intellectually stimulating work environment.
• Contribute directly to the preservation of **East London**'s unique heritage.