In the studio

News

Nightingale Associates
spreads its wings in South Africa

22 August 2008

Nightingale Architects (SA) Pty Ltd opened for business today in Cape Town, offering a unique new architectural service to the South African public and private sectors.

Being a part-owned subsidiary of Nightingale Associates, a leading UK architectural practice which has over 18 years’ experience of the delivery of progressive public sector buildings, Nightingale Architects (SA) offers to the South African market a unique blend of specialist knowledge in the design and delivery of healthcare, education & science buildings, as well as established joint ventures offering specific correctional services; and commercial and residential expertise.

“The opening of Nightingale Architects (SA) brings a valuable and much needed wealth of international expertise and experience to the SA market. We have already begun to engage locally and nationally with the Government; PPP Consortiums and private clients alike. One of our core objectives is to assist the Government in raising the quality of public sector architecture of SA in response to the changing paradigms of the country. We will bring a distinctively fresh architectural approach that offers innovative and appropriate solutions through a combination of international ‘best practice’, affirmative skills transfer; an ‘easy’ professional approach and a genuine passion for architecture.”

Wallace Manyara, Business & Development Director, Nightingale Architects SA

The new practice, Nightingale Architects (SA) Pty Ltd is 26% owned by historically disadvantaged individuals and has been independently verified as a Level 3 BBBEE service provider in accordance with the SA Governments Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment Act. It is anticipated that in 12 months time, Nightingale Architects (SA) will become a Level 2 provider.

“We already have several exciting projects in the pipeline which we are looking forward to engaging on and no doubt we will also take on other challenging commissions, which will demonstrate our full design and delivery capabilities.

“What we are doing here is very exciting - we are fusing together 18 years of specialist expertise from an established and internationally recognised architectural practice, with bright and talented young SA professionals who want to contribute to the changing face of South Africa. Appropriate, imaginatively designed and affordable public architecture is what this country needs, as well as being adaptable, environmentally sustainable and robust - and that is what Nightingale Architects (SA) will offer”

Wallace Manyara, Business & Development Director, Nightingale Architects SA

Nightingale Architects (SA) plans to follow in the footsteps of its award-winning parent company which, over the last 18 years has successfully delivered numerous PFI projects in the UK and abroad , providing the healthcare and education sectors with a variety of innovative hospitals, schools, colleges, university and scientific buildings that contribute positively to their communities and surroundings.

“There is an increasing demand in South Africa for a new generation of more appropriately designed public sector buildings, which respond to the shifting demographics and culture of modern SA society. The opening of NA(SA) is therefore without doubt a very important watershed for Nightingale Associates. However, we also hope that the fusion of our experience with that of local architects, under the Direction of the SA Directors, will demonstrate our commitment to the country and the potential we see in the future.

“We look forward to seeing the results of the talent and expertise that exists amongst our South African subsidiary and witnessing the impact that Nightingale Architects (SA) will have on the country’s infrastructure.”

Richard Harrington, Chairman of Nightingale Associates (UK)

The opening of NA(SA) reflects Nightingale Associates’ commitment to achieving employment equity, skills & enterprise development and socio-economic development for all of its employees, internationally.