KZNIA has caught up with Cazir Naroth, Regional Winner of the COROBRIK Student Architect of the Year Award 2010 to ask him a few “ARCHI” questions and see what he has been up to.
What inspired you to study architecture in the first place?
From a very young age I have spent an extraordinary amount of time with my father, who has been an architect for the past 30 years. We have travelled the country together, supporting each other in various forms of motorsport. In doing so we would often spend time developing and designing items to improve the equipment we competed with, leading me to become fascinated with the art of design as a combination of form and function. Although I can’t say for certain, I am sure this is one of the main reasons I have ended up as an architect.
Since winning the regional arm of the event, what have you been up to professionally?
After a stint at Choromanski architects, where I was exposed to an approach to architecture which is based on contextual research and highly conceptual design, I moved on to Paul Nel Architects. As with Rod, I believe that Paul is easily one of the leading architects in the province (or even country) and in a short space of time I had learnt a lot from him with regards to detailing, business and a general approach to day to day architecture.
With the correct opportunities presenting themselves, I made a move to establish Cazir Naroth Architects, which I am currently thoroughly enjoying running.
Any projects that stand out as special and for what reasons?
The Queen Thomo (Mother of King Goodwill Zwelithini) Memorial in Cato Manor (Choromanski Architects). The story behind this project is rich in content and runs from a Zulu Queen being banished from the royal household, her burial spot not being recorded, being found many years later and now being reinterred in a piece of architectural sculpture.
Have you developed an area of speciality?
I would say at the moment my focus has been on residential and retail projects.
What would your message be to young aspiring architects?
Just enjoy it and think logically
Any exciting happenings you wish to share?
Well, things are growing very fast and it’s an exciting time for us. I’m not able to say who right now, but another young architect will be joining me in the near future and I think our team will keep getting stronger.
#watchthisspace
Other than that we have started a little workshop building one off café racers, its right next door to our offices and offers a great topic of conversation with most of our clients.
Picture of Cazir Naroth (second to right) with fellow regional winners in 2010
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