SAIA KZN Practice with Greg Truen, Principal Architect at SAOTA

SAOTA: Themes and Practice in a Connected World

In today’s globalised and interconnected world, architecture must respond to diverse environmental, cultural, and social contexts while maintaining a cohesive design philosophy.This talk explores SAOTA’s unique approach to architectural practice over the past three decades, focusing on the key themes that have defined its work globally.

From commercial developments in Africa to residential and education projects in the Americas and Europe, SAOTA has consistently blended local influences with contemporary design principles, creating spaces that are not only visually striking but also deeply connected to their surroundings. The presentation will examine SAOTA's use of light, space, and landscape integration, showing how these elements transcend borders and cultures to create architecture that feels both local and universal