ABOUT US

SERVICES

Mdakane Architects (MDK) provides full architectural services in retail, commercial, industrial, residential, mixed-use and infrastructure developments. MDK also provides urban design / master planning services and often takes a project from master planning concept to implementing individual buildings within a master plan. This is also a group of architectural researchers and acoustics consultants.

MDK has the capability to design large and small-scale projects. Its relationship with larger/global architecture firms who have over 60 years commercial experience gives MDK additional capacity and continuous involvement in a variety of international projects.

BBBEE

MDK is a fully black owned company. We are passionate about empowering the underprivileged people in South Africa. Our attention is mostly towards black-rural areas. Working with communities, MDK initiates, fundraise and implement rural development projects. Our current rural development projects include the Ladysmith Black Mambazo Music Academy in Ladysmith (SA), Amahlubi Secondary School in KwaZulu-Natal (SA) and Diepsloot Radio Station in Gauteng (SA). MDK also runs an educational programme in rural high schools of South Africa aimed at exposing learners to different disciplines within the building industry. Our goal is to provide scholarships, training and mentorship to these learners in the foreseeable future.

OUR PHILOSOPHY

MDK takes pride in giving its clients undivided attention and thoughtfully addressing their needs using its distinctive site-specific approach. In each project MDK strives for an innovative architectural solution under-pinned by all round functionality, cost effectiveness and high quality design. Our primary focus is commercial success for our clients.

VISION

MDK was established with a vision to handle large-scale projects worldwide. Accordingly we have established affiliations in strategic countries around the world with special attention to the BRICS nations. We are passionate about our continent Africa and we are constantly involved in projects around the continent. Our vision obligates us to deliver world-class customer service and to strive to lead in global issues such as environmental design. We aspire to build a reputation of delivering high quality projects on time and within budget.

FOUNDER'S PROFILE

Mr Dumisani Mdakane holds a Master of Architecture Degree (M. Arch) from the University of Natal and property development certificates including the Property Development Programme Certificate from the University Of Cape Town Graduate School Of Business. Prior to starting MDK architects Mr Mdakane was an associate at Bentel Associates International where he spent seven years working on a variety of projects both nationally and internationally. These include a 6million square meter development in Ghaziabad(India), Maponya Mall (Soweto, South Africa), Sun City Mixed-Use Development (Lagos, Nigeria), Rail Park Mall(Gaborone, Botswana), OR Tambo International Airport (Johannesburg, South Africa), Accra Mall (Accra, Ghana) and more.

In the Academia, Mr Mdakane has worked with a number of institutions as a researcher and advisor. These include the heritage council of KwaZulu-Natal “Amafa” and the South African Health Ministry where he worked with the Nelson Mandela School of Medicine to develop an architectural model for accommodating African indigenous healthcare systems. As a student Mr Mdakane represented his university in a number of architectural competitions and was invited to advise the university chancellor on design issues during the merger that brought about the University of KwaZulu-Natal. While studying and during his in-service training, Mr Mdakane carefully chose to work for small architecture firms that were involved in community projects. This reinforced his passion for rural development, to this day Mr Mdakane continues to initiate and implement projects in disadvantaged communities of his home country. Over the years this passion extended beyond architecture and the building industry. Mr Mdakane is currently a director at MDK Architects.

HEAD OF QUALITY CONTROL

With over 25 years of experience and qualifications in both engineering and architecture Mr Jorge Lopes has the ideal skill for overseeing the quality of our work. His role includes ensuring that our technical designs are aligned with current construction technologies to simplify the building process. Post the design stage he facilitates construction of our buildings along with assigned project architects.

His architectural career began in 1985. He holds a B.Arch degree from the University of Witwatersrand. Over the years he completed a wide variety of building types and sizes such as parts of Melrose Arch, Northern Cape Legislature, taxi ranks, urban design schemes including Johannesburg’s BRT routes, offices, warehousing and shopping centres. His long and diverse experience provides invaluable guidance on our quality and technical efficiency.

GENERAL PROJECT ARCHITECT

Mr Sikhumbuzo Sithole has practiced architecture for over 20 years and owned a construction company for 5 years during that time. He has held senior positions in architecture firms and acquired vast experience in managing complex architectural projects from design stage through to completion. His role in the company includes leading our project team and managing consultants on select projects.

Some of the projects that Mr Sithole has been involved in include: King Shaka International Airport; Pomeroy Community Health Clinic, Prasa Station Modernisation Project (Soshanguve and Kopanong Stations). Mr Sithole was also a lecturer at ML Sultan Technikon and Wits Technikon.

His great leadership skills and pragmatic solution-driven approach has boosted our client relations and strengthened our ties with fellow consultants over the years.

ASSOCIATE

Mr Bonga Ntuli is a designer, a researcher and an architectural acoustic specialist with an M.Arch Degree from the University of Kwazulu Natal,South Africa. Mr Ntuli has a strong technical background in architecture. He began his career as an Architectural Technician with a National Diploma from Natal Technikon. He has a passion for green architecture, his role in the company includes ensuring that our designs are sustainable in the environmentally conscious world. His latest research work includes on-site research carried in South America, Brazil and few parts of Argentina where he analised urban structures and transport dynamics. The findings are aimed to be implemented torelative genius loci within the southern region’s fabric and the greater Africa at large. Mr Ntuli has also conducted a number of studies and research for the African region.

He is a part time lecturer at the University of KwaZulu Natal School of Architecture for Building Science (sustainable green architecture) 3rd year and Architectural Design and Technology. He is pursuing an Architectural Doctrine (PhD) which will explore the possibilities of fusing nature, men, culture and architecture for a sustainable environment.

ASSOCIATE

Mr Tafadzwa Mtisi obtained his B. Arch (ADV) from Natal University (Now Kwa-Zulu Natal University) in June 2003. His profile includes 3D presentations using 3D Studio Max and V-Ray, complete Architectural documentation, Project Administration and Co-ordination, Services Co-ordination, Site Surveys and Supervision, Design, Detail Development, IT management, staff supervision, presentation drawings, municipal and sdp submissions and undergraduate training in General Office Administration.

His working experience began with Julian Conrad Architects during his student days. He joined Johnson Murray Architects for a year after completion of his Bachelor of Architectural studies and there after worked for various companies. He later joined Urban Edge Architects. He is currently an associate at MDK Architects.