PROFILE
Motivated and creative professional with 16+ years of international experience in architecture,
interior design, photography, and graphic design. Throughout my career, I have had the privilege
of working in South Africa, Namibia, and Belgium, which has allowed me to develop a deep
understanding of diverse cultural and regional differences. My passion for functionality, visual
communication, and environmental improvement is matched by a unique skill set and a creative
approach.
Eager to contribute my skills and perspective to a dynamic and innovative team.
Embracing inclusiveness and diversity as core values.
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16+ years Architectural Work experience
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14+ years sporadic Architectural Photography experience
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16+ years occasional Graphic Design roles
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Always eager to learn and develop new skills
Growing up and spending my childhood on a farm in South Africa I learned to respect and appreciate nature. My love for our natural ecosystem enhanced while living in and exploring Namibia. I wish to contribute by assisting in developing healthy natural living and working environments by utilising my skills in a challenging new role.
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In 2007 while studying architecture I developed an interest and passion for architecture photography which has now grown into a part time career.
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In 2010 I graduated from Tshwane University of Technology, a leading South African Architecture Faculty with a bachelor's degree in architecture.
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I gained in-office experience during my studies and continued employment afterwards at Schnitter and Company Architects until 2013.
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At the end of 2014 I received an opportunity to relocate and work in Windhoek, Namibia. For four and a half years I was employed by Marley Tjitjo Architects Inc, a leading Namibian architectural firm where I gained immeasurable experience in all aspects of architecture. Alongside architecture I further developed my graphic design and photography skills when I was also appointed as the firm's Brand Ambassador and Visual Content Creator in 2017.
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I am currently employed as architect at an architecture firm in Ghent where I gain valuable experience and a proper basis for architecture in Belgium. Since relocating to Belgium in November 2019 I continued to develop my architecture photography part time.
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In the last two and a half years I have been following dutch language classes. While my dutch can still improve, I have no problem communicating with colleagues or clients.
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This portfolio of work aim to show a glimpse of me as a person and to showcase my creative skill set.
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New challenges excite me and I execute assignments with care and perseverance.
EDUCATION
2020
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN ARCHITECTURE
NARIC-Vlaanderen Degree Accreditation
Belgium
2005 to 2010
BACCALAUREUS TECHNOLOGIAE - ARCHITECTURE: PROFESSIONAL
TSHWANE UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
Pretoria, South Africa
2011
DIPLOMA OF PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY
THE PHOTOGRAPHY INSTITUTE
Online course
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2002
CERTIFICATE: BASIC GRAPHIC DESIGN COURSE
KKB DIGITAL MEDIA TRAINING
Randburg, South Africa
SKILLS & EXPERTISE
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CREATIVE THINKER
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CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT
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ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN
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INTERIOR DESIGN
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TECHNICAL DRAWINGS
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SITE SUPERVISION
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PROJECT MANAGEMENT
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ARCHITECTURE PHOTOGRAPHY
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NATURE PHOTOGRAPHY
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CORPORATE & BRAND IDENTITY
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VISUAL CONTENT CREATOR
SOFTWARE
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AUTODESK REVIT
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AUTODESK AUTOCAD
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GOOGLE SKETCHUP
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ADOBE PHOTOSHOP
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ADOBE LIGHTROOM
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MICROSOFT OFFICE
INTERESTS
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NATURE
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PHOTOGRAPHY
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HIKING
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MOUNTAIN BIKING
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TRAVELLING
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EXPLORING
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ADVENTURE
LANGUAGES
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AFRIKAANS
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ENGLISH
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DUTCH
WORK EXPERIENCE
2021 to present
ARCHITECT
VERTONGEN ARCHITECTEN
Ghent, Belgium
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As architect at Vertongen Architecten, I play a multifaceted role, assisting various teams in the architectural design process. My responsibilities include concept design, preliminary design (voorontwerp), technical detailing using AutoCAD and Revit, 3D modeling with SketchUp, preparing projects for building permit applications, precise measurements of existing buildings, and a diverse range of architectural tasks.:
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• Concept Design
• Preliminary Design
• Technical Detailing (AutoCAD, Revit)
• 3D Modeling (SketchUp)
• Building Permit Preparation
• Precise Measurement of existing buildings
• Diverse Architectural Tasks
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2014 to 2019
SENIOR ARCHITECTURAL TECHNOLOGIST
MARLEY TJITJO ARCHITECTS INC.
Windhoek, Namibia
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A multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary established architecture firm focusing on high-end private
residential, small to large scale residential developments, commercial, institutional and industrial projects:
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• Turnkey projects - from initial client meetings, concept, management up to project delivery.
• Design and technical documentation of various projects.
• Project management and site supervision.
• Leading the project’s professional team.
• Local authority and estate home owner approvals.
• General office procedures, administration and filing.
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2007 to 2013
SENIOR ARCHITECTURAL TECHNOLOGIST
SCHNITTER & COMPANY ARCHITECTS
Pretoria, South Africa
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Small-scale established and motivated architecture and interior firm focusing on high-end residential, commercial, retail and industrial projects.
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• Design development and full technical documentation of projects.
• Interior and detail design.
• Co-ordination of engineers and other project team professionals drawings.
• Site-visits and supervision.
• Administration, filing, model building, presentations, marketing, consultations, etc.
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2007 to present
FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER
DVH PHOTOGRAPHY
South Africa, Namibia, Belgium
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13 years part time experience capturing built projects for architects. A background in architecture fuels my aim to provide clients with images capturing the concept, detail, spirit and context of each project. A number of these projects have been published in internationally renowned publications which include Domus, ArchDaily, La Biennale di Venezia, Archivio del Moderno and Digest of South African Architecture. A love for nature and the outdoors has lead me to explore nature photography while living in Namibia:
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• Architecture photography.
• Nature photography.
• A collection of my images can be viewed on my website www.dvhphoto.com.
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2017 to 2019
BRAND AMBASSADOR & VISUAL CONTENT CREATOR
MARLEY TJITJO ARCHITECTS INC.
Windhoek, Namibia
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When the firm decided to relocate offices I was appointed solely to redesign and implement the firm’s new corporate identity which included the following: New corporate identity, logo design, website design, architecture photography, company profile magazine, new office interior designs, wall art and office stationary (business cards, letterheads, e-mail signatures, drawing title blocks, etc.):
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• Design and implementation of new corporate identity and website.
• Design assistance of new office interior.
• Liaising with printing studios and relevant artists ensuring high standards are achieved.