Senior Sustainable Architect

Placements24; Durban; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,400,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work

Medical aid

Pension fund

Home office setup

Professional development

Generous leave

Membership support

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Sustainable Architect to join our Durban practice. You will lead design development, integrate green building principles, and collaborate with engineers and consultants to deliver high-performance projects.

The ideal candidate has 8+ years in sustainable architecture, with Green Star SA/LEED experience, energy modelling, and BIM (Revit). You will mentor juniors and contribute to sustainability research, while embracing remote collaboration across South Africa.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 8 years of architectural experience with a focus on sustainable design.
• Expertise in green building rating systems (Green Star SA, LEED).
• Proficiency in energy modelling tools (IES VE, EnergyPlus) and BIM (Revit).
• Strong knowledge of sustainable materials, passive design, and renewable energy systems.
• Excellent design, communication, and presentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and development of sustainable architectural projects integrating green building principles and technologies.
• Conduct energy modelling, life cycle assessments, and performance analyses to optimise sustainability.
• Collaborate with clients, engineers and sustainability consultants to achieve environmental goals.
• Prepare design documentation, specifications and reports for sustainable design strategies.
• Mentor junior architects and technologists on sustainable practices and research.
• Stay updated on green building materials, technologies and certifications (LEED, Green Star SA).
• Oversee implementation of sustainable design features during construction and post-occupancy evaluations.
• Represent the firm in client meetings and presentations advocating sustainable design solutions.
• Contribute to firm-wide sustainability research and knowledge sharing.

Skills

Energy modelling

BIM (Revit)

Green Star SA

LEED

Project leadership

Education

Professional Architect qualification (PrArch) or equivalent

Tools

IES VE

EnergyPlus

Revit

Job description

About the Role

Our client is an award-winning architectural practice renowned for its commitment to environmental stewardship and innovative sustainable design solutions. We are looking for a passionate and experienced Senior Sustainable Architect to join our thriving practice in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. This role is central to integrating green building principles and technologies into all project phases, from conceptualization to construction. You will lead design development, collaborate with specialist consultants, and champion sustainable practices across our diverse project portfolio. The ideal candidate will have a profound understanding of environmental design strategies, building performance analysis, and a strong portfolio demonstrating successful sustainable architecture projects. Join us in Durban to make a tangible impact on creating a more sustainable built environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design and development of sustainable architectural projects, ensuring integration of green building principles and technologies.


• Conduct energy modelling, life cycle assessments, and other performance analyses to optimize building sustainability.


• Collaborate closely with clients, engineers, and sustainability consultants to achieve project environmental goals.


• Prepare detailed design documentation, specifications, and reports related to sustainable design strategies.


• Mentor junior architects and technologists on sustainable design practices and research.


• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in green building materials, technologies, and certifications (e.g., LEED, Green Star SA).


• Oversee the implementation of sustainable design features during construction and post-occupancy evaluations.


• Represent the firm in client meetings and presentations, advocating for sustainable design solutions.


• Contribute to firm-wide initiatives on sustainability research and knowledge sharing.

Requirements

• Professional Architect qualification (PrArch) or equivalent.


• Minimum of 8 years of relevant architectural experience, with a significant focus on sustainable design.


• Demonstrated expertise in green building rating systems (e.g., Green Star SA, LEED).


• Proficiency in sustainable design software, including energy modelling tools (e.g., IES VE, EnergyPlus) and BIM (Revit).


• Strong knowledge of sustainable materials, passive design strategies, and renewable energy systems.


• Excellent design, communication, and presentation skills.


• Proven ability to lead projects and collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams.


• Experience in conducting building performance simulations and post-occupancy evaluations.


• A passion for environmental responsibility and creating high-performance buildings.

Benefits

• A competitive annual salary of R, reflecting your expertise.


• Opportunities to work on groundbreaking sustainable projects in Durban and beyond.


• Fully remote working arrangement with a focus on asynchronous collaboration.


• Comprehensive medical aid and pension fund contributions.


• Allowance for home office setup and professional development.


• A supportive and collaborative team culture dedicated to environmental impact.


• Generous annual leave and professional membership support.


• Be part of a firm that is at the forefront of sustainable architecture in South Africa.