South African architectural studio dhk Architects has joined global architecture firm Egis Group’s 10N collective, marking a significant milestone in the Cape Town- and Johannesburg-based studio's international expansion, says dhk Architects MD Renske Haller.

Headquartered in Paris and operating across five continents, Egis provides architecture, engineering, consulting and mobility solutions. Its 10N Collective brings together expert practices in urbanism, architecture and design.

dhk joins a cohort of globally recognised studios within the collective, including Spain-based Fenwick Iribarren Architects, United Arab Emirates-based U+A and Saudi Arabia-based Omrania as well as Weston Williamson + Partners Architects and 10 Design, both of which are headquartered in England.

The studio's brand, leadership and design approach will remain fully intact under the new arrangement.

“This acquisition reflects Egis’ vision of building a truly global design network. dhk’s reputation for excellence will reinforce our ability to deliver world-class projects while nurturing local talent,” says Egis CEO Laurent Germain.

Founded in South Africa in 1998, dhk’s multidisciplinary offering brings together architects, urban designers, interior designers and an in-house visual communication and graphic design team, operating across diverse sectors.

The studio says its design-led approach is underpinned by technical implementation expertise and a commitment to sustainable design and people-centric placemaking.

Prior to joining the collective, dhk delivered work internationally, including in the Middle East and across sub-Saharan Africa. The studio is currently active in 18 countries across Africa, with projects spanning residential, hospitality and commercial design at various stages of development.

The integration into 10N enables dhk to expand its access to a broader global network of opportunities while building on its strong local presence, says Haller.

She adds that dhk's capabilities in historical building retrofit and adaptive reuse were identified as one of the most prominent advantages it brings to 10N and Egis, as this supports more sustainable and context-sensitive design relevant across many markets.

Additionally, the firm’s building information modelling (BIM) and hospitality and residential architecture also offered an attractive value proposition for Egis.

dhk’s advanced BIM capability, developed over several years of delivering international projects, including in collaboration with other 10N studios, supports greater efficiencies and enhanced ‘clash detection’ in construction documentation. This streamlines delivery for clients, contractors and project teams while providing assurance that work aligns with global standards.

The integration also deepens dhk's alignment with Egis' commitment to decarbonisation and curbing greenhouse-gas emissions within the construction industry.

Through advanced modelling processes, Egis sets a global standard for mitigating the environmental impact of construction, a commitment that amplifies dhk's own expertise in designing green buildings, where the studio already holds a strong portfolio, says Haller.

Notable recent examples include the Longkloof Precinct in Cape Town and the City Park project, which entailed the redevelopment of the former Christiaan Barnard Hospital in the Cape Town central business district.

Being part of the 10N Collective positions dhk at the forefront of global design, working alongside some of the most recognised international studios, says Haller.

It also facilitates access to a wider range of project types and geographies, including collaboration with member firms that hold specialist expertise in sectors such as sports infrastructure and transport architecture.

dhk's architectural, urban design, interior design and BIM teams are already collaborating on projects with other 10N studios, giving the studio access to design projects on a global scale, exposure to new ideas, technologies and work methodologies as well as the opportunity to share its own expertise with international counterparts.

“Ultimately, the integration enables us to harness shared resources, augment our operational and production strengths, and to boost opportunities for greater innovation, research and development,” says Haller.

She notes that joining 10N will not shift the studio away from its established strengths as a generalist practice, elaborating that on a day-to-day basis, the company will become more globally connected while its local structure remains in place.

“We have always focused on evolving and improving as a practice. This is a natural next step for us. We remain rooted in South Africa and focused on creating buildings and spaces that improve quality of life,” Haller concludes.