Huzaifah Kathrada

Design Team Lead

Upon returning to Paragon Group following my Masters Degree, I was appointed the design team leader, managing a group of 6 architects.

• Work with directors to plan new projects and deliverables into the design team
• Manage and delegate new projects to team members
• Set out key dates and timelines for projects with team, tracking the design and progress of each team member and their assigned projects.
• Interviewed and recommended architects for the team
• Mentor and upskill newly hired employees in CAD, Adobe suite and rendering software's
• Advised and assisted in developing the design of projects in the design team
• Incorporated sustainable designs into projects
• Performed complex architectural and design assignments, applying innovative architectural design concepts and advanced professional knowledge.
• Consulted with clients to determine functional and spatial requirements for a new project
• Coordinated with cross-functional teams to improve structure sustainability and design.
• Evaluated project requirements to identify and mitigate risks.
• Researched materials to determine appropriate selection for projects.
• Documented and presented project proposals to clients
• As head of the design team, I have successfully delivered over 44 design proposals.

Architect

After two and a half years leading the design team, I was promoted to a projects team to develop the projects. I have taken with me 5 projects from the design team of which i am currently developing.

• Liaise with the client to develop and approve the design
• Monitored and analyzed project costs and resource allocation to mitigate overages.
• Attended team meetings to resolve technical and project issues and review project schedules.
• Communicated with vendors and contractors to incorporate input into project designs.
• Documented and developed technical drawings sets for coordination with professional team
• Reviewed and developed the project to the local authorities standards and laws
• Documented drawing sets for local authority approval
• Documented drawing sets for tender and construction development
• Researched materials to determine appropriate selection for projects

A company which was started by a colleague and myself.

Through this practice we have brought in our own projects separate to our employment

• Car showroom design concept for new OMODA manufacturer launch in johannesburg
• As built drawings for warehouse in Johannesburg
• Council Submission drawings set for additions house in parkview johannesburg
• Store design and layouts for Ellis Electronics in the south of johannesburg
• Design for school in Kuwait
• Render for design proposals by other architects
• Residential estate design for house in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Guest lecturer for design Studio

• Prepared and delivered lectures to Undergraduate students Design and the architecture practice topics.
• Collaborated with the faculty of architecture and planning on design coursework and the practice of architecture vs academia
• Privately Tutored and critiqued design work to students

Design Team

• Worked with team leader and directors and clients to formulate project programme and requirements
• Drew up base diagrammatic schemes on commercial, residential and retail architectural projects to inform clients on project viability
• Conceptualised and developed the design of commercial, retail and residential schemes.
• Developed the design using CAD software
• Documented the proposals using the Adobe Suite for presentation to the clients
• Developed technical drawings for coordination with and review of the project with a professional team

Design Internship

• Research and develop conceptual ideas for retail design
• Develop and design retail stores
• Document using CAD software the design of Virgin Megastore, Marina Home and Home Center stores in Dubai Mall
• Produce presentations and drawings for design work