At Modo Architects, our mission is to create architecture through a thoughtful, iterative process—one that values method as much as outcome. Guided by cycles of exploration, reflection, and refinement, we craft spaces that are conceptually rich, functionally grounded, and deeply considered.
Commercial / Retail
Designing Spaces that Work as Hard as You Do
Our commercial projects focus on functionality, identity, and adaptability—whether it’s office spaces, call centres, or mixed-use environments, we design places that support productivity and reflect brand values.
Bold Spaces That Sell
Retail is storytelling. Our designs focus on spatial clarity, strong brand identity, and customer flow—transforming stores into immersive brand experiences that invite engagement.
Homechoice Wynberg
Bridging the Gap Between Two Buildings
On Wynberg’s bustling Main Road stood two very different buildings: the six-storey head office and call centre of Homechoice, and a neighbouring single-storey retail building acquired to accommodate growth. The architectural challenge was to seamlessly unite these two disparate structures—both functionally and aesthetically...
NOOLA Willowbridge & Hazeldean
A Bold Space That Breathes the Brand
The NOOLA Willowbridge store was designed to express the essence of the brand in a clear, inviting way. The layout is flexible and contemporary, allowing the space to adapt as the product range grows and changes. A key feature is the oversized heart-shaped structure—a playful interpretation of NOOLA’s logo—used to showcase their signature prams...
Developments
Crafting Cohesive Communities
From residential estates to mixed-use precincts, our development projects are rooted in long-term vision. We balance scale with human experience, creating spaces that feel like home and work as urban frameworks.
Oewerlust Swellendam
A Secure and Serene Lifestyle by the River
Oewerlust Estate is Swellendam’s premier residential security estate, offering 64 thoughtfully designed freehold homes in two- and three-bedroom configurations. Nestled along the tranquil banks of the Koornlands River, this development blends natural beauty with secure, community-focused living.
Whether you're seeking a peaceful retirement surrounded by nature or a safe and nurturing environment to raise a young family, Oewerlust Estate offers a lifestyle where simplicity, safety, and serenity coexist.
Falcon Village Romansbaai
Where Architecture Embraces the Wild
Falcon Village is a collection of off-plan homes designed to nestle gently into the untouched fynbos landscape of Romansbaai Eco Estate. These homes are thoughtfully planned to exist in harmony with nature, with soft forms and muted materials that allow the surrounding flora and fauna to take centre stage.
Each residence offers privacy, immersion in the landscape, and a sense of living 'within' the environment rather than on top of it—making Falcon Village the ideal retreat for nature-lovers with a refined sense of design.
Healthcare Facilities
Architecture that Heals
Our healthcare work is centred on dignity, efficiency, and wellness. We design facilities that support patient care and provide inspiring, functional environments.
Helderberg Hospital Emergency Centre
Upgrading Healthcare While Staying Operational
The Helderberg Hospital project involved significant upgrades to a live, functioning public hospital. The key focus areas included the construction of a new Emergency Centre and the addition of a dedicated Mother Kangaroo Ward—a nurturing space that supports bonding between mothers and premature infants.
To minimise disruption, the design employed lightweight steel framing, allowing construction to proceed efficiently while both the Emergency Centre and Maternity Ward remained fully operational. Every element was carefully...
Napier Clinic
Form Following Function in Rural Healthcare Design
The Napier Clinic was designed around four key principles: optimal orientation, integrated building services, provision for future expansion, and a strong relationship with the street edge.
Its H-shaped footprint provides intuitive navigation: the central spine houses the main reception, waiting area, pharmacy, and records. Two functional wings extend from this core, accommodating clinical services and support spaces...
Tygerberg Orthopedic Training Facility
Shaping the Future of Orthopaedic Profession
This state-of-the-art facility at Tygerberg Hospital supports both undergraduate and postgraduate orthopaedic training. More than just a classroom, the AOTC serves as a dynamic learning environment, hosting surgical workshops, specialist courses, and academic events.
Grabouw Clinic
Healing Spaces
The redesign and expansion of the Grabouw Clinic aimed to create a health-promoting environment for patients while inspiring those who work there. Generous natural light, intuitive circulation, and patient-focused layout principles guided the design process—developed in close collaboration with healthcare staff.
Hospitality
Escape, Rest, and Reconnect
In our hospitality designs, comfort meets context. We create spaces that offer meaningful experiences, whether nestled in nature or placed in urban destinations—always with warmth and intention.
GîTES - Franschoek
Luxury Farm Living Just a Stroll from Town
Gîte offers the perfect balance of rustic charm and contemporary luxury. Located in the famed Franschhoek Valley, this self-catering retreat sits on a working farm, yet remains within walking distance of the town’s acclaimed restaurants and shops. With sweeping views of the Franschhoek Mountains, beautifully furnished luxury suites, and a serene farm setting, Gîte is a haven for travellers seeking comfort...
Black Barn Romansbaai
A Minimalist Retreat in the Heart of Nature
Black Barn offers a no-frills, high-comfort escape nestled in pristine fynbos with panoramic views of the Atlantic in the distance. This three-bedroom retreat is designed for relaxed luxury. The open-plan kitchen, dining, and lounge area sits beneath a double-volume ceiling, emphasizing space and connection. Simple yet refined finishes and a seamless...
Sea Pad Romansbaai
Minimalism on the Beach
SeaPad is the showpiece of the Romansbaai Collection. Every element reflects restraint and elegance: screeded floors, off-shutter concrete ceilings, full-height glass and designer cabinetry come together to form a home that is as understated as it is sophisticated...
Residential
Where Living Comes Naturally
Our residential work spans quiet countryside retreats, coastal getaways, and family homes in bustling suburbs. No matter the setting, we prioritise function, flow, and a strong connection to landscape and lifestyle.
House Theron Hermanus
A Family Retreat
House Theron is a four-bedroom retreat designed with multi-generational living in mind. The home offers dual living zones across two levels: a ground-floor lounge and kitchen where guests can freely entertain themselves, and a more refined upper-level living space—ensuring peace and privacy for all. Crowning the home is a rooftop entertainment space complete with a built-in gas braai...
Restaurants and Wine Tasting Centres
Spaces to Savour
We create sensory-rich spaces where architecture, food, and landscape come together. These are environments that celebrate flavour, community, and the art of gathering.
FourCousins Robertson
Design for Resilience
Located at the entry point to Robertson, the @Four Cousins Restaurant occupies a site that is both iconic and complex. Set below the floodplain and adjacent to the busy Main Road, the site posed significant design challenges. Drawing from the Cape Vernacular tradition while embracing a contemporary language, the design...
Niel Ellis Wine Estate
Wine, Food, and Family—Balanced
This project is a sensitive extension to the existing Neil Ellis Wine Estate building, thoughtfully designed to complement and respect the architectural language established by the original architect. Our approach honours the spirit and materiality of the original structure while introducing new spaces that enhance the visitor experience...
Van Loveren Wine Tasting Centre
Turning a Simple Idea into a Timeless Design
Van Loveren Wine Estate required a unique architectural identity for its new wine tasting facility, nestled within a row of eight barn-like cellar structures. Instead of breaking away from the language of the existing structures, the design reimagines it: the new barn’s roof is dramatically tilted upwards toward the estate’s lush gardens, framing a vertical, full-height view that invites nature inside...