Prism Architects Pty Ltd was established in 1997 by Sam Manyathela, Schalk van der Merwe and Noel Puta, after realizing the need to establish a practise which specifically addresses the needs of a new and changing South African Society.
Thereafter the practice logo was developed to illustrate the transgression of light through the prism, unfolding into a rainbow to serve our entire rainbow Community.
The practise with its 45 staff members consisting of Architects, Architectural Technologists, Interior Designers and qualified Project Managers (60% women and 65% youth) operating from Polokwane, Johannesburg and Pretoria.
Various prestigious awards have been received by the practise and include 5 consecutive PMR No 1 positions for Architects Nationwide (max 3 partners) – where after various other SACOB awards also followed.
Prism Architects also proudly note their contribution to South Africa in 2010 being the lead consultant and architect of record for the new 45 000 seater Peter Mokaba Stadium, as well as design and architect of record for the Polokwane International Airport – New Terminal.
In true responsibility of serving a society, our practice had the privilege of being a major contributor to the Limpopo Department of Health roll-out programme – with some 100 Clinics, Malaria Camps and various hospital upgrades.
On the Educational front various FET Colleges and University structures have become reality, all in line with our slogan “designing your future together”
The practice acknowledges that its success is through dedicated staff development and has seen various staff members further their careers on a continued basis.
As with all businesses an Architects’ practise need to remain a creative thinking environment in reality with time, cost and quality control usually within strict budgets and should further ensure that reality checks reminds one of basic sound business principles along with the challenges the building industry holds. Prism Architects prides itself towards those principles.
Prism Architects are aware challenges within the building industry, especially in the field of Architecture, which will continue and escalate to be built around competitive pricing, while remaining innovative and creative without compromising on quality control from documentation to end-product – as in the wise words of Winston Churchill “We shape our buildings – thereafter they shape us”