This November, we’re reflecting on an exciting milestone for ACOARCH Studio: a new workspace in the heart of Cape Town. Located among galleries, design studios, and the creative energy of the central city, our new studio feels like the perfect home for our team – an environment that inspires, connects, and redefines how we work.  

The proximity to other designers, architects, and creatives creates a sense of community and fuels our creative processes. It's a constant reminder that design doesn’t exist in isolation; it thrives through dialogue, exploration, and shared perspectives.  

In tandem with our move to the new studio, we’ve embraced a hybrid working model that perfectly balances collaboration and productivity. Our team joins in the studio one or two days a week for brainstorming sessions, design reviews, and problem-solving workshops. These in-person interactions have transformed the pace and depth of our design decisions. Challenges that might have taken days to resolve online are now tackled in hours. This rhythm—collaborative studio days followed by focused work-from-home days—has allowed us to achieve a new level of efficiency without compromising creativity.  

One of the most exciting additions to our new office is a VR design station. This tool allows us to immerse ourselves in our projects, visualise spaces in 3D, and refine designs with unparalleled precision. It’s a powerful asset that has quickly become integral to our design process, bridging the gap between concept and reality in ways that are both innovative and practical.  

The feedback from our team has been overwhelmingly positive. “Gathering around a table to discuss ideas, sketch solutions, and share insights has been incredibly rewarding. After years of remote work, these moments of connection remind us of the true value of face-to-face interactions. Our studio has become more than just a workspace—it’s a place to reconnect, collaborate, and strengthen our camaraderie." – Natasha Boshoff, Junior Architect at ACOARCH

As we settle into our Cape Town studio, we’re reminded of the transformative power of space—both in the physical and conceptual sense. This move has redefined how we approach our work, reaffirming our commitment to collaboration, innovation, and connection.  

Here’s to the next chapter of creativity, collaboration, and inspired design.