Interview with Hactor Kabo Malete

Hactor Kabo Malete ("HKM") interviewed on Wednesday, 21 June.

Could you please tell us about your experience as a designer, artist, architect or creator?

HKM : I am a Botswana born Architect based in South Africa. I completed Masters in Architecture (M.Arch Prof) in South Africa at Nelson Mandela University, in city called Gqeberha (Formerly known as Port Elizabeth. Since my graduation, I have been working full–time for a private Architecture firm – Consult Three Architects for close to 12 years. In this company, I was involved in different types and size projects ranging from small to mega. The largest project was estimated at just over half a Billion in South African Rands. I worked for just over 3 years as a trainee Architect until I wrote my professional/board exams which I passed and registered as a Professional registered Architect with the South African Council for the Architectural Profession (SACAP). Since then, I have a have been practicing as a Professional Architect for 9 years to date. I have, in total, accumulated just over twelve years of work experience. I am registered with Architecture professional regulatory bodies in South Africa and Botswana. I am currently based in East London, South Africa where I have been running my own Architecture firm for just over a year to date. My firm is involved in projects around Africa, mainly in South Africa and Botswana. I am Professional Architect registered with the South African Council for the Architectural Profession (SACAP) and Architects Registration Council in Botswana (ARC). To me, Architecture is not only a profession, but a calling to a greater purpose in life.

How did you become a designer?

HKM : Since high school, I have always wanted to pursue a career which involves a combination of Art and Science. Architecture was my best-suited choice. I hence, have always known from high school that Architecture is the career I would like to pursue. Spaces, beautiful buildings, large buildings, high rise buildings have always fascinated me as a teenager. My love for beautiful building structures grew to the extent I imagined myself as a creator of these structures at some point in life. To me, these were not only buildings, but works of Art. My interest in joining the profession was with the aim of further pushing the envelope in the design of spaces and buildings.

What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?

HKM : I focus more on the overall composition and expression of the building, how public spaces around the building relate to the building, spatial flow & spatial relationships within the building. My aim is to ensure that the overall design is well knitted together. Lastly but not least, I always ensure, without compromise that, in all my building/designs, sustainability forms part of my priorities.

Which emotions do you feel when designing?

HKM : Before I design, I look at the site for which the building is to sit, some sites are very exciting to work with even before I start designing. The same goes with the type of building to be designed, it’s exciting even before the design starts. However, it usually gives a feeling of uncertainty everytime I start a design from scratch because it takes hard work to come up with a design. It’s a stressful time to be honest up until I see the design taking shape.

What particular aspects of your background shaped you as a designer?

HKM : Growing up, I have always been an experimental as a child and always curious to the extent of imitating real-life objects through drawings, painting, and sculpting and other creative means. That was my fun and play time as a kid while other kids were interested in many other activities like playing games, watching videos etc. My passion for creativity grew with time and I knew that once I complete my high schooling one day, I would like to pursue a career in creativity. As an Architect born in Africa, I have always ensured that all my projects I design anywhere in Africa, identify with the cultural heritage of the place for which I’m designing. Most of my projects are therefore rooted in culture and are place specific. With that being said, it does not take away from the fact that as an Architect, I can design any building anywhere in the world and still ensure that the building/design identifies with the character and cultural heritage of that specific country within the world.

What is your growth path? What are your future plans? What is your dream design project?

HKM : I would like to grow my Architecture firm into a big establishment that does big projects all over the world. I would like to have my footprint in most of the continents. My goal is to win more design awards and ultimately win the Architecture Pritzker Award with time. My immediate next plan of action is for me to open up a branch of my company in Botswana this year. My aim is to one day be given an opportunity to design and implement super mega sized projects like airports, skyscrapers etc. I await an opportunity from potential clients so that I can showcase my design skills.

What are your advices to designers who are at the beginning of their career?

HKM : Do as much research as you can on design and learn from award-winning designs. Also subject your work to rigorous critic by other designers.

You are truly successful as a designer, what do you suggest to fellow designers, artists and architects?

HKM : The advice I have is that as a designer, you continuously work 24/7. Even when you are on holiday, design doesn't stop. Break times are perfect times to refresh and come up with innovative and creative ideas. Those spare and leisure times are a perfect opportunity to get the creative juices flowing and perhaps resolve pending design issues.

What is your day to day look like?

HKM : I start my day off by going through my emails and checking if there's important correspondence to be attended to. I quickly draft a 'to do list' then attend to the first task and my day unfolds according to the list. Most of my day, however, consists of design work. I make sure that i attend to my design work early in the morning while my mind is still fresh to think creatively.

How do you keep up with latest design trends? To what extent do design trends matter?

HKM : I constantly subject my work to critique by other Architects, read articles on Architectural design, learn from award winning projects, and attend Architecture webinars and seminars, watch educative YouTube videos

How do you know if a product or project is well designed? How do you define good design?

HKM : A good design ensures that it serves the intended purpose, it’s humane, sustainable and furthermore aesthetically pleasing. Architectural work is also a work of Art, it should be wowing to look at.

How do you decide if your design is ready?

HKM : Firstly, no design can ever be enough. A designer will always feel the need to develop the design further or alter it. That being said, it is important as a designer to ensure that you set yourself levels to ensure that beyond that level, you avoid making further changes, especially when the design ticks all the necessary boxes in terms of functionality and esthetics. Secondly, the client must be happy and give approval. If both the designer and the client are happy, it's enough to put an end to the design process, otherwise other projects will suffer in the process

What is your biggest design work?

HKM : I have worked on a museum concept designing South Africa even though the project was not built. The estimated construction cost was just over half a billion in South African Rands. The museum was to commemorate one of the important events of the people of that area. I had a great time doing research into the context, culture and the history of the area for which the museum was to be designed. It took me about 2 months to finalize the concept (this includes both research and design). I have also worked on another museum of a similar nature which was estimated at hall a billion South African Rands. The design was also not built, only the concept was designed. My latest project which I was involved in is a Mega School in South Africa with a construction value of 137 Millon South African Rands. I was involved in Both the design and implementation of the project. Construction was completed in 2021. This project was interesting and challenging because the client (the government) had a strict budget as well as set standard prototypes with which Architects are to work with when designing schools. One had to figure their way around working with standard prototypes and limited budget and at the same time come up with a design that has been creatively thought out of the box.

Who is your favourite designer?

HKM : This has always been a very difficult question for me to answer because I have 2 Designers/Architects that I look up to and they inspire me a great deal. Here are they (in no particular order): The first Architect is Francis Kere. Kere is an Architect whose work is mostly rooted in culture is its very place-specific. To me Kere's work is an epitome of African Architecture. If further reflects sustainability in a more profound sense than the mere common narrative of carbon footprint. I look forward to meeting him in person one day and more importantly partnering with him in one of the projects at some point in my career. The second Architect Zaha Hadid. Unfortunately, she is not more, I have always had a dream to one day also meet and have a conversation with her on the ideas behind her great work. Her work inspires me because it is purely an Architectural work which is very artistic and expressionistic. Her work is a marvel to look at. It bridges the gaps beautifully between concept and reality.

Would you tell us a bit about your lifestyle and culture?

HKM : I was born in Botswana but I’m currently based in South Africa. I always ensure that all projects that I design Identify with the cultural heritage of the place for which I’m designing. I can design any building anywhere in the world and ensure that it identifies with the character and cultural heritage of that specific area. I will have to carry out research and study the culture of that specific area.

Would you tell us more about your work culture and business philosophy?

HKM : I have just started my own firm and will only have employees by the end of the year. I would like to believe that I will be an easy Designer for one to work for. I work well with other designers and I'm a strong believer in the opinions of other designers on my designs to ensure a water-tight designs. I see design as a culture as opposed to a work environment. I personally believe in working alone in the business and not partnerships with other Directors/shareholders. It gives me freedom of choice/decisions and expression as a designer. However, if I were to have a business partner, I would look for someone that has strong points that I, myself, lack so that our strengths complement each other.

What are your philanthropic contributions to society as a designer, artist and architect?

HKM : What I currently do to give back as a designer is mainly assist students. I assist them by giving them critiques on their work so that they grasp the basic principles of basic designs. My focus is mainly on those that struggle with design. This is an initiative that i have been doing for many years since my graduation.

What positive experiences you had when you attend the A’ Design Award?

HKM : A' Design Awards are reputable and esteemed design awards worldwide. If one wins these awards, it gives my clients and potential clients confidence in my work. The award changed the trajectory of my career in the sense that I will always endeavor to keep the high level of design/creativity to ensure that as a designer I'm known for my excellent craft. I cannot afford to drop the standard. This award is a motivation and confidence booster. Besides winning the award, being chosen as the designer of the is a great honor. Many other designers could have been chosen in place of me. I will always be grateful to A Design Awards.

Hactor Kabo Malete Profile