| CAPE TOWN
ARCHITECTS
JANNIE MEYER
Director: Bentel Associates International
With its groundbreaking design work in the retail, mixed-use and other commercial markets Bentel Associates International (BAI) has become a recognized leader in the practice of customer-focused design. BAI’s outstanding reputation is maintained by a dedicated team of architects and designers who continue to push the boundaries of quality design.
A passion for design excellence characterises Jannie Meyer, a BAI director who together with Eberhard Gersie manages BAI’s Cape Town office and a 30 strong design team. Meyer is a retail and commercial architect who is not only highly skilled in all aspects of commercial design but also has expertise in the business, marketing and project implementation aspects of architecture.
Through the years, Meyer has gained a reputation for understanding the complex issues of mixed-use developments and he has developed a cohesive design and delivery structure that focuses BAI’s considerable expertise on creating integrated solutions. His ability to coordinate the creative process with the linear demands of financially viable design and delivery has been invaluable in realizing outstanding results for retail and mixed-use projects such as Seaside Village (Big Bay), Marakech & Rabat Athlone. |
|
|
Meyer has found the challenges of architecture exciting. He has been fortunate in that from a very early age he has known that he wanted to be an architect. With a clear vision of the future and an unwavering enthusiasm for design, he has achieved his goals with passionate and energetic dedication.
From a conservative upbringing in Pretoria, Meyer matriculated from the Pretoria School of the Arts with a notable talent for design and graphics as well as a superb understanding of the various approaches to form. This background prepared him well for the study of architecture at Pretoria University where he completed the first three years of his studies. He completed the latter years of his degree at the University of Cape Town (UCT) where he discovered a different perspective of life in the politically sensitised UCT environment of the early 70s. Although architectural students at the time completed their studies in a relatively stifled atmosphere in terms of architectural direction, Meyer once again excelled at his studies.
After graduation, the commencement of Meyer’s career was put on hold by compulsory military service obligations. Two years in the naval military intelligence division did little to dampen his enthusiasm for architecture. After his release from the Navy, he started his own practice with a former fellow UCT student – a courageous move for a recent graduate with little practical experience in the 1970s. After three years he gave up his practice to accept an offer in Canada for a short while. He returned to South Africa and joined the business development section of Stauch Vorster Architects where he eventually became an associate partner.
He considers himself extremely privileged to have had this opportunity. In Stauch Vorster’s Johannesburg and Cape Town offices, Meyer learned all the business aspects and commercial disciplines of architecture, which were not commonly taught in universities at the time.
After considerable tenure with Stauch Vorster Meyer joined BAI in 2002 where his talent for marrying the business drivers of a project to design, ideally suited him for the challenge of directing BAI’s Cape Town office. Under his guidance, BAI Cape Town (previously only a production office) has grown into a full design and project management practice and continues to develop an impressive portfolio of commercial projects.
With tenacity and a notable passion for everything he does, Meyer has the ability to solve critical design problems on large mixed-use developments. It is his knowledge of the various components, how they work and how to organize them so that they are the backbone of new developments that make him, his team and his projects, so successful.
Meyer has only praise for the exuberance, abilities and wide-ranging vision of his team. “I believe we have the finest collection of talent available,” says Meyer who has always preferred to work with a team that generates positive energy and synergy.
Meyer is undeterred by the form vs. money debate. His expertise enables him to give due consideration to a projects' aesthetic values, while his understanding of the commercial aspects of architecture add a valuable layer of business acumen and leadership skills thus creating a solid basis for successful projects.
Jannie believes that the practice of architecture should not only be creative and highly practical but approached from a holistic point of view in order to produce design excellence. “I believe that an architect should have a breadth and depth of knowledge that goes beyond design skills. Design theory and ability needs to be added to business acumen and understanding in order to produce excellent commercially viable design,” says Meyer.
This approach is highly sought after and appreciated by BAI clients. Meyer also has a strong understanding of the developer perspective and an ability to acquire a clear understanding of his client’s strategic goals. His ability to assist operators and developers, plan and implement design strategies from a market perspective has earned him an enviable reputation in southern Africa.
BAI Cape Town serves a wide range of clients in southern Africa, both coastal and inland. Current mixed-use projects include the West Coast mall; the East Coast Mall; Sable Square, another exciting project where Meyer and his team are involved in cutting edge and innovative retail design; the Seaside Village at Big Bay where the complicated site has called for some very inventive design solutions; and the highly challenging expansion to Mareua Mall in Windhoek for Marriott properties.
Two other ventures for the Cape Town Moslem community are also underway at present. These empowerment projects involve the transfer of skills and have presented the BAI team with a unique set of challenges where Meyer has once again proven his ability to address the business and social needs inherent in this type of project.
Meyer is also widely recognised as a specialist in waterfront architecture and is currently busy with a project known as Fisherman’s World in Hout Bay, producing effective mixed-use design in the historical and eventually harbour areas of the town.
“Our retail roots give us exceptional insight into the customer experience enabling us to bring valuable perspectives to developers, owners and occupants of all commercial building types, says Meyer. “What is important for us is design excellence, we strive to be the best and we do not compromise when it comes to producing our products. We aim to maintain a meaningful stake in the market.”
For more information please contact:
Jannie – Bentel Associates International
Tel: (021) 552 9140
Fax: (021) 552 9163
E-mail: jannie@bentel.net |
|
|
