WHAT WE STAND FOR
What Makes Us, #US
The Now. The New. The Next
1. HISTORY
Urban Signature Architects is the dynamic amalgamation of two architects and their respective practices.
The Johannesburg based company was founded by architects: Miguel Pinto and Steven Sotiriou in 2019.
2. Process
Enriched and extended by their exposure and practice in local, African and European constructs, the practise takes an “eyes wide open” approach. The variance in their background is distilled in a shared design ethos: curious, searching, inspired.
They seek to understand, evaluate, synthesize design criteria personally and personably. Available to explorative, immersive, transformative opportunities for architectural exploration.
2. Partnership
Urban Signature is strongly committed to prioritizing / celebrating the African aesthetic, confronting its realities, seeking to deconstruct the diverse, hierarchical carryovers of its past, through transformative, people-centred, contemporary spatial planning.
Reflecting on South Africa’s past, engaging the present, and planning for the future.
OUR TEAM
Who Makes Us, #US
MIGUEL PINTO
(MTech Architecture – UJ)
Managing Director and Professional Architect
As a professional architect, Miguel Pinto has experience working for various firms, on a range of different projects in South Africa and Europe. This has allowed him the ability to explore his passion for design and architecture. With an ability to look at the bigger picture and an eye for detail, he founded Urban Creative Studio in 2014 which has culminated in the establishment of a joint venture, Urban Signature Architects in 2018.
Steven Sotiriou
(M.Arch – WITS)
Managing Director and Professional Architect
Formally qualified, informally well-traveled, practically experienced (10 years) in project execution, curious and innovative by nature, Steven Sotiriou “lives and loves” architecture. In addition to various working undertakings as a candidate, junior and senior architect with a number of small consultancies (in South Africa, Netherlands and Greece), Steven established Design Signature Architects in 2013.
The consultancy provided a useful springboard for a range of architectural appointments over a six year period, which has culminated in the establishment of an exciting joint venture, Urban Signature Architects in 2019.
Hardus Scheepers
Architectural Project Coordinator
Hardus is an architectural draughtsperson and designer. Believing in innovative and pragmatic design solutions derived from the use of sustainable, site-appropriate materials. His passion lies in designing and physically handcrafting furniture, to architecture, and everything in between, weaving technology, craftsmanship and research through design.
OUR TEAM
Who Makes Us, #US
(M.Arch – WITS)
Managing Director and Professional Architect
Formally qualified, informally well-traveled, practically experienced (10 years) in project execution, curious and innovative by nature, Steven Sotiriou “lives and loves” architecture. In addition to various working undertakings as a candidate, junior and senior architect with a number of small consultancies (in South Africa, Netherlands and Greece), Steven established Design Signature Architects in 2013.
The consultancy provided a useful springboard for a range of architectural appointments over a six year period, which has culminated in the establishment of an exciting joint venture, Urban Signature Architects in 2019.
MIGUEL PINTO
(MTech Architecture – UJ)
Managing Director and Professional Architect
As a professional architect, Miguel Pinto has experience working for various firms, on a range of different projects in South Africa and Europe. This has allowed him the ability to explore his passion for design and architecture. With an ability to look at the bigger picture and an eye for detail, he founded Urban Creative Studio in 2014 which has culminated in the establishment of a joint venture, Urban Signature Architects in 2018.
Steven Sotiriou
(M.Arch – WITS)
Managing Director and Professional Architect
Formally qualified, informally well-traveled, practically experienced (10 years) in project execution, curious and innovative by nature, Steven Sotiriou “lives and loves” architecture. In addition to various working undertakings as a candidate, junior and senior architect with a number of small consultancies (in South Africa, Netherlands and Greece), Steven established Design Signature Architects in 2013.
The consultancy provided a useful springboard for a range of architectural appointments over a six year period, which has culminated in the establishment of an exciting joint venture, Urban Signature Architects in 2019.