makes pared-back architecture that emphasises the experience of space.
Located in Cape Town, South Africa, Chris established his architectural practice in 2008 under the name The Fold Architects. In 2021, the firm adopted his name, symbolising a shift toward a more personal and artistic vision. Chris’ architectural philosophy is rooted in a nuanced understanding of the site’s characteristics and its interplay with mass, proportion, junctions, geometry, surface, and light. This thoughtful approach enables modest materials and straightforward structures to express profound ideas about the way we live.
Building on the foundation of his architectural practice, Chris has expanded his creative pursuits as the co-founder and head designer of MŪVEK. This venture reflects his commitment to thoughtful design, bringing the same refined sensibilities of his architectural work into everyday objects.
János Cserháti
Office and Press Enquiries
Juan Pierre Albasini
Architect
Chris graduated cum laude from the University of Pretoria, and his B.Arch thesis was awarded the South African Corobrik Award in 2003, the most sought-after architectural award at the student level, for the project Extraneousness. The work was later included in the Royal Institute of British Architects' annual publication Visions for the Future in 2003. It was also featured in the book Architecture in a Democratic South Africa, edited and convened by Prof. 'Ora Joubert, former Head of the Department of Architecture at the University of Pretoria, and published by Bell-Roberts in 2018.
In the same year, Chris was awarded a scholarship for the MSc (Arch) degree at Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) in the Netherlands but instead chose to take up a position at Erick van Egeraat Associated Architects (EEA) in London as a Part II Architectural Assistant.
In 2004, he moved to Cape Town, where he worked with several firms, gaining experience in detailing high-end residential architecture and interiors. The knowledge and inspiration gained during these formative years led to the establishment of Chris’s multidisciplinary practice.
