Jan heads the conceptual design function of the practice.

Educated in Cape Town and Bloemfontein, Jan matriculated from Grey Collage with full culture and academic colours in 1985, after which he completed a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of the Free State in 1990 and won the Corobrik Architectural Student of the Year prize in the same year.

Jan started practicing architecture in 1990 at Roodt Partnership, moving to Bentel Abramson Architects in 1995, soon to be promoted to director, where he designed some of the most prestigious commercial projects, still recognised within the South African retail and leisure landscape as leading-edge game changers. Jan moved to Boogertman + Partners Architects in 2001 to further peruse opportunities within this realm and practiced as director until 2008, when Jan joined the property development group Retail Africa as design director. Longing for the drawing board, Jan returned to Bentel Associates International as Director in 2009 until 2014 when he and Pieter founded JLDesign.

Jan’s experience range across a wide field of architectural building types and master planning, with built projects in South Africa, Middle East, Mauritius and China, and as primary design architect for various award-winning projects, including amongst others Canal Walk Shopping Centre, Irene Village Mall, Montecasino Precinct, Melrose Arch Piazza Precinct and Cradlestone Mall.

Jan is a registered and member of the South African Institute of Architects. He describes himself as an amateur historian and intrepid aviator who enjoys flying his 1930’s biplane as often as time allows.

Educated in Cape Town and Bloemfontein, Pieter matriculated form Voortrekkerhoogte High School in 1987, after which he served in the South African Navy as part of the compulsory military service of that era. Pieter then attended the University of the Free State and obtained a Bachelors degree in Architecture in 1995. He went on to obtain a Masters Degree in City Planning and Urban Design form the University of Cape Town in 1997, remaining in Cape Town to gain valuable urban design experience as the urban designer at the City of Cape Town Administration.

Pieter moved back to Gauteng in 2002 and joined Gawie Greeff’s practice as urban designer and architect. In 2003 Pieter joined MMA Architects, and in 2004 Bentel Associates in his capacity as urban designer and architect. Pieter became a partner at Bentel Associates in 2008 where he remained until founding JLDesign alongside Jan in 2014. Pieter is a registered architect and member of the South African Institute of Architecture.

Pieter, a family man, describes himself as an avid gardener who happens to also practice as an architect. His love for the outdoors and holistic design solutions brought about a preference for the administration of construction projects on site, thus Pieter brings not only his expertise as an urban designer to the practice, but also a wealth of practical hands-on knowledge.

Educated in Pretoria, Christelle matriculated form Afrikaans Hoër Meisieskool Pretoria in 1999, where after she attended the University of Pretoria to obtain a Baccalaureus Scientiae in Architecture in 2002, followed by a Professional Masters in Architecture in 2004.

After working for a small domestic design focussed firm fresh out of university for a few months, Christelle joined Boogertman + Partners Architects in 2005 and remained at the firm in the capacity of first Architect, and then Team-Leader for twelve years, until 2018. Working exclusively on retail projects, some of which along side Jan while he was director at the same firm, Christelle has gained experience of great depth and value in this fickle commercial realm.

Christelle, a wife and mom with an equal and inseparable passion for gastronomy and architecture, approaches retail developments with good design and technical resolution understanding, whilst maintaining the ability to grasp design decisions taken by others. Eager to collaborate and expand her knowledge, Christelle, a registered architect, can also take initiative and proficiently run a project on her own.