KWA is an Architectural Design practice established in 2007 and based in Johannesburg, South Africa. Principal Lorin Burgoyne, together with her team of architects, technicians, craftspeople and interior designers, brings a wealth of experience to our projects, which range from private residences to lodges and leisure buildings around Southern Africa.
Our practice was born out of a passion for creating beautiful buildings for wonderful people: honest spaces and interiors that are unpretentious and enhance the quality of peoples’ lives.
We are honoured to introduce you to our practice and our proud portfolio of work, created by our family of incredibly talented individuals - each a pillar of experience and commitment. Together we are creating some of the worlds’ most beautiful homes.
Renovating and restoring a heritage home is an exercise in restraint: how does one retain original architectural intentions but transform the spaces to accommodate our modern lifestyles? Carefully, with discipline, and a flair for marrying the old with the new.We are renowned for the remodelling of heritage homes including blue plaque and a few of our favourite Sir Herbert Baker buildings.
We constantly look to uphold the ethos of Johannesburg's historical suburbs, offering pre-purchase consultations, at the invitation of estate agents, for home buyers who would like to understand the potential of heritage properties.
Our renovation portfolio is extensive: from major overhauls to subtle additions - all of which have been undertaken with careful attention to the existing structures and an understanding for how our clients wish to live.
Our masterplan service was developed to assist property owners in deciding whether to renovate, build new or sell. This pre-renovation service is hugely popular.
Seaside hideaways, game lodges and stables, farm houses and restaurants... We all need somewhere to retreat - a home away from home, where we can be together with those we love and then be able to retreat to a secluded spot where we can escape them.
Our Leisure section is a portfolio of projects with a slightly different approach because they're all out of town.
Our bespoke buildings do not represent a specific style; rather they respond appropriately to their particular contexts and the distinctive lives of their users. The result: high quality, elegant yet unpretentious, user-friendly homes that sit well in their environment, and whose spaces resonate with intimacy, warmth and the informality required for real living.
Our personalised design and build process, refined over the years, aims to provide clients with the best possible end product. As such, each project’s professional team is built around focused project management and financial control services, with appropriate building contractors who have experience with KWA's process and deliverables.
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When working with us on an architectural project, we offer a full service of interior design and curation. We specialise in creating spaces that harmonise with the natural rhythm of human movement. Whether it's breathing new life into heritage spaces laden with history, or fashioning new bespoke environments from scratch, our expertise lies in understanding the essence of how people interact with their surroundings.
In collaboration with our favourite experts in the industry, we add considered layers of intrigue through texture and finishes through your walls, textiles, art selection, handpicked furniture, crafted joinery and lighting that effortlessly blends style and purpose. At KWA, every detail is thoughtfully curated, ensuring your space not only looks exquisite, but also feels like an extension of your lifestyle. Experience the perfect fusion of aesthetics and functionality, where form follows the flow of life.
Ambience is at the heart of how we approach every space. Through thoughtful lighting design, expert joinery, and the considered placement of fittings, we craft spaces around a ‘feeling’. Whether creating intimate nooks that invite you to unwind or opening up airy expanses to breathe freely, our design decisions look at how people naturally use their unique spaces and what makes them feel grounded. The flow we create reflects lifestyle, helping your space feel like an extension of yourself and how you connect with others. We engage all the senses—from the tactile comfort of a plush couch to the texture of countertops and the atmosphere of every corner—ensuring your home is not only seen but felt.
Lighting transforms spaces—it warms, softens, and changes the energy of a room. By day or night, the mood shifts, and with our expertise, we use lighting to adapt your space effortlessly. Thoughtfully placed switches, dimmers, and different approaches to lighting all work together to set the tone.
Picture a kitchen bathed in bright light for bustling meal prep, only to transition into a soft, inviting glow as you sit down to a cosy dinner. As one of the key pillars of ambience, lighting defines how you experience your space.
Whether restoring the charm of heritage flooring or starting fresh with innovative materials, we carefully select finishes that bring character and cohesion to your space.
Working alongside master artisans, we can seamlessly transition between old and new, be it through classic parquet, hand-selected tiles, or polished screed floors. The walls, too, play a crucial role in defining a room's style. From selecting the perfect paint shade to incorporating wallpaper or panelling, your walls are more than a backdrop—they establish the tone and unify the design narrative.
The meeting point of form, function, and style, joinery and fittings are the custom touches that elevate a space from ordinary to extraordinary.
Our bespoke shelving, countertops, and cabinetry are crafted with precision, designed to fit seamlessly into your life. Every detail is meticulously planned—from the height of a kitchen counter to the swing of a cupboard door and the finish of a doorknob—ensuring your home functions beautifully without compromising on style. This is where we move beyond "off the shelf" solutions, tailoring every inch to your needs.
The final layer of design—furniture, textiles, and decorative elements—brings warmth and personality to a room. Without these carefully curated pieces, a space can feel incomplete. Whether it’s custom window treatments, handpicked furniture, the art on your walls, coffee table books or the perfect scatter cushions, these elements are what tie the design together.
It’s about more than decor; it’s about celebrating character, telling a story, and ensuring your home feels lived in and loved. From heirlooms to new statement pieces, these finishing touches are the golden thread that weaves your space into a cohesive whole.
KWA draws inspiration from the diversity and vibrancy of Africa's people and their way of life. This motivation has led to the creation of KWA's cherished project, 'Belong.africa', aimed at fusing design practices with personal experiences. Through this initiative, we aim to foster a sense of connection to spaces, enabling individuals to seek solace, feel rooted, unwind, escape, retreat, reside, find inspiration, and establish a place to call their own.
Design rituals
We partner with and feature exceptional local design thinkers. The diversity and collaboration through working with these influential people makes each project truly memorable.
Places
We find spaces across Africa that evoke a deep emotional connection, whether for retreat, escape, or inspiration, our library of locations ground you in a place that feels truly like home.
SPACES
We bring specialist architects, craftspeople and designers together to style and curate leisure, hospitality and private rental spaces.
