University of Pretoria. B. Architecturecum laude (1971)
Technical College Witwatersrand. Dip. Engineering (1966)
Siegfrid has enjoyed an illustrious career in architecture, founding his thriving architectural practice over 40 years ago in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. He re-launched his practice in partnership with new directors during the 90s and was later joined by his talented architect son, Paul in 2000, giving birth to Studio D’Arc in its current formation.
Siegfrid brings a blend of specialised knowledge, deep experience and expertise to projects. His engineering background makes him sensitive tothe interface between architecture, engineering and construction. Now in the advanced stages of his career, Siegfrid gets deep satisfaction from engaging intimately with concept, philosophy, and culture.
“Siegfrid has a profound understanding of space and believes that
if you don’t create space, you haven’t produced architecture”.
Siegfrid describes himself as a simple man who enjoys good company, including his own, and a ‘ritual braai’. His life has been guided by three great loves – God, family and friends, and architecture – all of which are encompassed in Studio D’Arc, an extension of a long line of family-owned built environment enterprises.
Johann Staats
Studio D'Arc Architects Eastern Cape (Pty) Ltd.
Professional Architect (Pr. Arch. 6227 MIA)
Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University B. Arch cum laude (1994)
Committee: Eastern Cape Institute of Architects
Committee: South African Institute of Architects
Johann Staats is a responsibility-driven architect who realises the broad obligations underlying ‘blueprinting space’ or shaping the man-made environment. Johann keeps a wide portfolio of projects, particularly in the sports and health care, leisure and residential sectors. He has an appreciation for the nexus of heritage, space, environment, and applied-use of the built environment, often, interacting with the building after completion to learn from the real interface and intuitive design that flows with people’s natural use of space. With a strong environmental ethic, adaptation and intuition are core to Johann’s design approach.
“Johann is adamant that when designing buildings, you have to create
spaces that are conducive to people’s lives.”
Incorporated as a Director of Studio D’Arc Pty (Ltd) in 1994, Johann also devotes his time to industry development, participating in various roles at the Eastern Cape Provincial Heritage Resources Authority, NMMU and the ECIA. He is a self-professed tech fundi, with an appetite for design and application: from sculpture, photography to fine art. He distils his creativity however in the silence of the yoga studio, where his rigour and discipline are as evident as they are in the boardroom.
Paul Schmidt
Studio D'Arc Architects Eastern Cape (Pty) Ltd.
Professional Architect (Pr. Arch. 6227 MIA)
Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) B. Arch cum laude (1996)
Paul Schmidt is a commercial architect with an extensive portfolio of cross-sectoral architectural work. His professional progression has been a mixture of ‘fairytale and text book’, ascending from house to apartment design, retail to mixed use, and culminating in specialised industrial conception.
“Paul balances his passion for acquiring new clients and collaborative long term relationshipswith the hands-on intimacy of design.”
Perfection is the key to his work. His eye for detail and analysis has yielded meticulous, innovative design. Paul’s high level of perception, combined with team-orientation and willingness to engage has ensured the growth of Studio D’Arc. In the game of mastering the liberation and limitation of space, Paul’s role in Studio D’Arc is one of measured control: balancing beauty and function.
Paul cut his teeth at his father, Siegfrid’s local firm, SWS Architects (Pty) Ltd. Then he stepped up as architect-in-training at United States-based Welman Architects in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, before returning to Studio D’Arc in South Africa. Paul has an enduring respect for the value of construction and engineering partners in bringing architectural concepts to life while producing buildings of phenomenal quality.
Craig Billson
Studio D'Arc Architects Eastern Cape (Pty) Ltd.
Professional Architect (Pr. Arch. 6936 MIA)
Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University B. Arch cum laude (1990)
Craig Billson merges his natural artistic talent with a sharp strategic mind in applying creative solutions to design problems. His dynamic career spans lecturing and philosophy, architectural application, and expert witnessing in architectural design.
Headhunted by a larger architectural practice in 2002, Craig followed his gut and opted rather for a Directorship at Studio D’Arc, where intimate collaboration and direct creative and commercial engagement drives a steep professional learning curve.
“Craig believes that clear thought and philosophy can be applied across all problems – particularly those of design - to yield an outcome that works.”
Craig gravitates toward healthcare and industrial design and has worked on a number of turnkey projects in these sectors. To him, architecture is the combination of materials and space, economy of effort and resources where balance is as intrinsic as the incorporation of natural light. With a determined outlook and refreshing sense of humour, Craig’s passion for architecture matches his love of cycling and ballroom dancing.
