Senior Community Housing Architect

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Provident fund

Performance bonuses

Professional growth opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 in South Africa seeks a Senior Community Housing Architect to lead social housing projects in Soweto, Gauteng. You will design sustainable, affordable housing and coordinate with local authorities, NGOs, and residents to reflect community needs.

The role requires a Master’s in Architecture, SACAP registration, and at least 7 years in housing projects, with strong engagement skills and proficiency in Revit/AutoCAD.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Architecture with housing/urban design specialization.
• Minimum 7 years of architectural experience with affordable or social housing.
• Experience in community engagement and participatory design processes.
• Professional SACAP registration and a housing portfolio.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and planning of community and affordable housing projects.
• Facilitate community engagement to meet residents' needs.
• Develop conceptual designs, drawings, and construction docs.
• Ensure compliance with housing policies, codes, and sustainability standards.
• Collaborate with engineers, contractors, and project managers.
• Oversee construction phase and site support.
• Research cost-effective sustainable materials and technologies.
• Manage budgets and timelines.
• Mentor junior architects and technicians.

Skills

Community engagement

Facilitation

Communication

Project coordination

Education

MArch Housing / Urban Design

7+ years housing experience

SACAP registered

Portfolio of housing projects

Tools

Revit

AutoCAD

Job description

About the Role Our client, an established architectural firm dedicated to social impact and affordable housing solutions, is seeking a Senior Community Housing Architect to lead projects in **Soweto, Gauteng**. This role is focused on designing and implementing high-quality, sustainable, and community-focused housing developments. You will work closely with local authorities, NGOs, community representatives, and residents to create housing solutions that are not only affordable and durable but also foster strong community cohesion and well-being. The ideal candidate possesses a passion for social housing, a deep understanding of community engagement processes, and expertise in designing for diverse socio-economic contexts within **South Africa**. This position offers the rewarding opportunity to contribute directly to improving living conditions and building vibrant communities.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the architectural design and planning of community and affordable housing projects.
• Facilitate community engagement processes to ensure designs meet residents' needs and aspirations.
• Develop conceptual designs, detailed drawings, and construction documentation for housing developments.
• Ensure designs comply with relevant housing policies, building codes, and sustainability standards.
• Collaborate with engineers, contractors, and project managers to ensure successful project delivery.
• Oversee the construction phase, providing site support and quality control.
• Research and apply appropriate, cost-effective, and sustainable building materials and technologies.
• Manage project budgets and timelines effectively.
• Mentor junior architects and technicians involved in housing projects.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Architecture with a specialization in Housing, Urban Design, or Community Development.
• A minimum of 7 years of experience in architectural practice, with significant focus on affordable or social housing projects.
• Proven experience in community engagement and participatory design processes.
• Strong understanding of South African housing policies, regulations, and informal settlement upgrading.
• Proficiency in architectural design software (e.g., Revit, AutoCAD) and visualization tools.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and facilitation skills, particularly with community groups.
• Demonstrated ability to manage projects and coordinate multidisciplinary teams.
• Professional registration with SACAP is required.
• A portfolio showcasing successful affordable or community housing projects is essential.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary, supplemented by performance bonuses and a comprehensive benefits package including medical aid and a provident fund. This role is based in **Soweto**. Employees benefit from working on meaningful projects that have a direct positive impact on communities, opportunities for professional growth, and the chance to be part of a firm that prioritizes social responsibility in **South Africa**. Join a team committed to creating better living environments for all.