The office of TREE Architects was established in July 1998 under the
control of Bruce Mack and Basil Powell. Mohammed Goondiwala
joined the practice in 2006 shortly after Basil Powell's retirement.
Historically, an association was developed between Basil Powell, Andre
van Graan and Bruce Mack from a 13 year working relationship together.
The company has, with varying partners and associates over different
projects, now broadened it?s perspective from the Building Industry to
incorporate the area of development and the specialist needs that arise
from participation in those aspect's of project development.
Architecturally, the experience in the firm has an extensive database from
which to draw. Commissions over the firm's years have ranged from the
first hangar for the Boeing 747 at Johannesburg International Airport in 1960, to large scale factories such as the Bridgestone Firestone Tyre Factory
and the AFCOL Furniture Factory. The practice has successfully completed
several large scale housing projects, both urban and rural; as well as
commercial shopping centres and office blocks, including property valuation
& assessment and feasibility studies.
The practice was one of the
first to employ CAD in the mid-seventies and remains to date an integrated "exploiter" of technologies contributions
to the Building Industry. From three dimensional graphic and video
presentations, to the publishing of marketing brochures; whilst utilizing
the communications network afforded through instant global information
relay.
The practice has been retained by
South African Breweries, after our completion of the Rustenburg Depot in 1996, as the Architects & Project
Managers for the Northern Region. Based on the fundamental knowledge
of breweries operations, their transport logistics, and security requirements,
acquired in the Case Studies of SAB's existing Depots, the practice is
currently underwriting a software package to be implemented as a data
- retrievable archive system for their Depots nationwide.
The Public Works Department, The Provincial Department of Sports Arts
Culture and Recreation, The Department of Agriculture and the Gauteng
Education Department, all currently have commissioned the practice for
projects of varying natures -
all community development based.
From a long standing relationship with the South African Guide Dogs Assoc.,
the firm has begun a feasibility study for the Association to determine a
suitable site for the establishment of a new Branch elsewhere in the country.
Residential Design and Development remains a constant source of
commissions for the firm with projects ranging from luxury housing, cluster
& sectional title developments, to affordable housing in rural regions. In
2000 the company encouraged 2 of it?s youngest employees to break off
to create their own company specializing in the realising of potential
developments through computer generated 3-Dimensional software.
Retaining close ties with one another, the practices are synonymous in
procuring projects that utilise the diverse skills found in the members making
up this joint team.
As noted, the practice expanded it?s parameters to allow for the pursual of
Project Development. The company is confident of being able to see projects through from initiation (Feasibility Studies, Environmental Impact
Assessments, Rezoning) to final handing over of the completed scheme.
With the firm's capacities having acknowledged the need for, not only global
interfacing, but local interactions too, the absolute necessity for technologically
backed-up research, design and resolution is ensured.
