Johannesburg-based JGA Architects, established by Spiro Couyadis in 1997, has relaunched as Spiro Couyadis Architects with immediate effect. “The reason for the rebrand is simple,” says Spiro Couyadis. “I bought JGA from its previous owner, who established the practice in 1965. Reputation is everything and I’m extremely proud of our company’s work and service levels. We take a hands-on approach to each brief and, when you’re proud of your work, as we are, it makes good sense to have one’s name directly attached to it.”

Over the past 16 years, Spiro Couyadis Architects has built a strong reputation in architectural and interior design work across the full spectrum of the property market, including retail centres, residential complexes, vacation resorts, office buildings and office parks, places of worship, retail interiors and private residences.

As architects we are concerned with the delivery of quality, which is manifested in both service and product. Furthermore, we pride ourselves in our ability to deal promptly and efficiently with our Clients requests and consequently have maintained longstanding relationships with our Clients.

The practice engages in a process of determining the needs and desires of each of our Clients and strive to balance these with the location, views, climate, budget and legal constraints specific to each project. Through this process we explore, discover and develop a concept of “what the building wants to be” and then set about realising this vision with the Client. Our aim is to produce works of architecture and not mere buildings.

We believe that the future of architecture lies not on a changing aesthetic but on an integrated design process that gives equal consideration to each discipline.

Whilst it is expected that a building be successful on many levels the process of rigorous design exploration remains a constant theme in the practice. Buildings are becoming increasingly sophisticated systems integrating intelligent services, remote-access systems, sustainable technologies and other specific lifestyle requirements.

The architectural quality and practicality of all designs is of the greatest concern to all in the practice. Great care is taken to ensure that all buildings are contextually compatible with their environments and that the related ecology is not preserved, but if possible enhanced.

The practice works closely and has a good relationship with offices having expertise in allied disciplines. A number of significant large residential and commercial planning projects have been done in collaboration with town planners, urban designers, engineers and landscape architects. This office in these instances has played a leading role in the conceptual planning of the developments and has thereafter been able to perpetuate the spirit of the designs to their logical conclusion by way of detailed architectural and urban design input. Preliminary and detailed feasibility studies, estimates of cost and consequent budget control services are ensured by close collaboration with quantity surveyors and project managers.

To maintain and monitor the practices high standards we strive to control all stages of the project with a “hands on” approach to ensure our Clients receive efficient and professional service at all times.