CS Studio Architects

CS Studio Architects In 1985 both Urs Schmid, from Aarau, Switzerland and Carin Smuts worked for a Cape Town based firm Prinsloo Parker Flint Elliot and van den Heever for 5 years.

CS Studio Architects first projects were initiated in Lingelihle, Cradock Eastern Cape, South Africa in 1982 when Carin Smuts was still an architectural student at the University Of Cape Town School Of Architecture. During this time they started working on community projects after hours. This work was in Cradock, Namaquland and Mitchels Plein. In 1989 they decided to formally start CS Studio Archi

tects. The practice has a reputation locally and internationally to produce innovative cost effective design solutions. Focusing on using local human and material resources. Recycling of found components is also characteristic of their work. The design and building process focuses on engagement of local stakeholders where possible. Carin Smuts collaborates with many international tertiary institutions. One current example is the building of a children’s theatre as part of the Langa Guga Sthebe Cultural Village. The first phase was done in 1999 by CS Studio Architects with AIT magazine’s Kristina Bach funds were raised over a 10 year period to build the second phase, a children’s theatre. The main collaborators are AIT Architectures alon Hamburg, RWTH Aachen University, Peter Behres School of Architecture, Georgia Institute of Technology, Imagine structure and CS Studio Architects. Carin Smuts runs workshops with numerous institutions and the main focus is on challenging conventional architectural teaching and exploring alternative models. She works with different topics, but with a focus on Global Issues, natural and man-made disasters, migration, recycling, passive design, etc. The challenges facing practicing architects are seldom related to the conventional teaching in Schools of Architecture worldwide.

Hope of the Valley Three Stream Phase 1Done by and
22/11/2024

Hope of the Valley Three Stream Phase 1
Done by and

CS Studio is excited to share our latest project that we been working on which is the Hope of the Valley Three Stream Hi...
22/11/2024

CS Studio is excited to share our latest project that we been working on which is the Hope of the Valley Three Stream High School Project done by and

Sketches done by

04/06/2024
HAPPY FEET - Langa, Cape TownPhase 1 - Done!Soft Opening today, 24 April.Official Opening on Saturday, 27 April. ...
24/04/2024

HAPPY FEET - Langa, Cape Town

Phase 1 - Done!

Soft Opening today, 24 April.
Official Opening on Saturday, 27 April.

HAPPY FEET - Langa, Cape TownFinally! with the collaboration of Courtside, France, Happy Feet is getting a new home in L...
15/04/2024

HAPPY FEET - Langa, Cape Town

Finally! with the collaboration of Courtside, France, Happy Feet is getting a new home in Langa. Siviwe Mbinda has worked hard with Siyabulela Primary School to make this happen.

The first phase is underway. Stay tuned as there are more phases planned for the future!

06/04/2024

The Obel Award has announced an open call for teaching fellowships with a grant of up to € 75,000 each.

The three teaching fellowships provide funding to universities located in Australia, Africa and Asia to invite professional fellows to teach, create and incorporate new voices to develop impactful courses for university-level students.

More: https://ow.ly/kuCP50R7tvK

Thank you to all who have contributed and supported me with my Masters.
23/01/2024

Thank you to all who have contributed and supported me with my Masters.

Spend a lovely day revisting Guga S'Thebe and the Children's Theater where there was great artworks by OurWorkshopWe ran...
02/11/2023

Spend a lovely day revisting Guga S'Thebe and the Children's Theater where there was great artworks by OurWorkshop

We ran into an old friend (see in one of the images) Manana arriving back from Greenpoint Park drumming - looking great in his yellow outfit

Guga S'Thebe and Children 's Theater continues to stay culturally active, beautiful and vibrant. Take the time to visit this place which is one of the most culturally inspirational places in South Africa.

Find out more on our website.
Link in the bio
'thebe

Blikkiesdorp Location: Oceanview Dr, Sea Point, Cape Town Completion: 2005 The orignal house was built in the 50s. The p...
04/10/2023

Blikkiesdorp

Location: Oceanview Dr, Sea Point, Cape Town

Completion: 2005

The orignal house was built in the 50s. The project consisted of a removal of the roof and building of an open plan studio on top of the old house. This was done by staff and their families. There was no appointed contractor, only selected sub contractors.

Engineer - Luc de Cruz (Portugal)
Welder - Fred Klink (Netherland)

The structure was redesigned and incorporated sustainable design and replacing it with a new brave structure.

The interior space is a double volume and has uninterrupted views of the sea and allows a lot of natural light, which creates a beautiful work environment and living space.

Once the corrugated cladding was complete, the structure was dubbed "Blikkiesdorp" in bright red by one of the neighbours on the street wall.  CS Studio framed the graffiti, making it part of its identity.

This contemporary project of architecture with a unique interpretation of sustainability made a huge impact in its context.
-used

26/09/2023
A favourite from our archives...Wesbank Multi Purpose CentreProject completion : 2006 -2008Situated in Wesbank Delft whe...
12/09/2023

A favourite from our archives...

Wesbank Multi Purpose Centre
Project completion : 2006 -2008

Situated in Wesbank Delft where it became a need to build a multipurpose centre in the community.

The building might be small-scale, yet the natural light and ventilation make the internal spaces feel much larger and vibrant.

It has served the community well, where decorative ceramic murals and colourful walls reflect their cultural identity and were created by the people of the community. This has brought life to the street and community.

If you would like to learn more, check out our website
https://csstudio.co.za/

multipurposecentre

CS Studio is happy to share that Clint Abrahams is conducting a wonderful workshop with students at one of our most succ...
01/09/2023

CS Studio is happy to share that Clint Abrahams is conducting a wonderful workshop with students at one of our most successful project, Guga S'thebe.
'thebe

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64 Ocean View Drive, Seapoint
Cape Town
8005

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CS Studio Architects first projects were initiated in Lingelihle, Cradock Eastern Cape, South Africa in 1982 when Carin Smuts was still an architectural student at the University Of Cape Town School Of Architecture. In 1985 both Urs Schmid, from Aarau, Switzerland and Carin Smuts worked for a Cape Town based firm Prinsloo Parker Flint Elliot and van den Heever for 5 years. During this time they started working on community projects after hours. This work was in Cradock, Namaquland and Mitchels Plein. In 1989 they decided to formally start CS Studio Architects. The practice has a reputation locally and internationally to produce innovative cost effective design solutions. Focusing on using local human and material resources. Recycling of found components is also characteristic of their work. The design and building process focuses on engagement of local stakeholders where possible. Carin Smuts collaborates with many international tertiary institutions. One current example is the building of a children’s theatre as part of the Langa Guga Sthebe Cultural Village. The first phase was done in 1999 by CS Studio Architects with AIT magazine’s Kristina Bach funds were raised over a 10 year period to build the second phase, a children’s theatre. The main collaborators are AIT Architectures alon Hamburg, RWTH Aachen University, Peter Behres School of Architecture, Georgia Institute of Technology, Imagine structure and CS Studio Architects. Carin Smuts runs workshops with numerous institutions and the main focus is on challenging conventional architectural teaching and exploring alternative models. She works with different topics, but with a focus on Global Issues, natural and man-made disasters, migration, recycling, passive design, etc. The challenges facing practicing architects are seldom related to the conventional teaching in Schools of Architecture worldwide.