Born in Ngcele, a village in the Eastern Cape, Avela Magqashela is an architect with over 10 years in the profession, he obtained a Bachelor in Architectural Technology from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology in 2009, completed his Masters in Architecture at the University of Free State and he is now currently doing his PhD. In 2015, he co-founded Collective Studio Africa alongside his partner and friend Benjamin Kollenberg, “the studio was established to utilise architecture as a vessel and departure point for an interdisciplinary practice”.
Avela’s interest in architecture started back when was in high school, he saw an architect in the movie The Matrix and he got curious about what architects do and began his research about the profession, he decided from then that is what he wanted to become.
Inspired by indigenous everyday life patterns, nature landscapes, research, art, Xhosa morphology and indigenous knowledge systems, he strives for human based design approach. Some of the highest moments in his career included the completion of the National Council Chambers in Johannesburg with StudioMAS - an architectural firm in Cape Town which both he and Ben used to work at also the completion of the Oracle Office Complex with Empowered Spaces Architects – located in the Woodmead North Office Park, City of Johannesburg, a 4-Star Green Star Office Design that showcases a symbiotic relationship between innovation, connectivity and distinctive design and establishing Collective Studio Africa.
His prospects as an architect is to create African conceptualised designs; architecture in an African perspective, his vison is to utilise architecture in a way that it tells indigenous African stories.
To get in touch with Collective Studio Africa visit their company website https://collectivesa.co.za/
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