Cobus Terblanche: A Human Centric Processes: The Value of Collaboration in a Profession
Cobus Terblanche is an Associate Architect with more than a decade of experience across South Africa and the Gulf region, delivering projects in the healthcare, hospitality, residential, and education sectors. He leads multidisciplinary teams through all stages of design and delivery, coordinating project strategy, client engagement, and technical development. Known for his problem-solving approach and ability to navigate complex project requirements, Cobus focuses on creating thoughtful, user-centred environments that balance design intent with practical realities.
Looking back on your career, was there a particular moment when you realised that architecture is as much about navigating people and uncertainty as it is about designing buildings?
I can’t pinpoint a single defining moment, but working on small projects has shown me how important it is to view our profession through other people’s perspectives. For example, when designing a client’s family home, you’re invited into their world, and your thoughts should serve as guidance, not dictation. I’ve come to see the design process as an act of curating ideas, restrictions, and opinions. While some might view these constraints as obstacles, and they can certainly be frustrating, I see them as opportunities to unlock value from people. This mindset is just as relevant in large-scale projects and corporate environments as it is in more personal work.
What advice would you give the architect you were thirteen years ago based on the experience you have as the architect today? What has changed the most: the way you design, the way you think, or the way you deal with people?
Don’t be afraid to openly discuss your ideas with clients and colleagues, even when they’re not completely resolved. I find there’s real value in sharing your thought process, not just your conclusions, because it helps everyone explore ideas together. It’s always okay to be upfront about the parts of the design that still need refinement or detail, just don’t let that hold you back from engaging others in the conversation.
Many architects are trained to defend their ideas. What has experience taught you about the value of listening, adapting, and occasionally letting go of a position you strongly believed in?
Experience has shown me that defending a fixed idea is often futile; instead, I prefer to defend my thought process. Focusing on the process rather than the conclusion creates more space to accommodate other opinions and perspectives. By engaging in open dialogue and sharing how I arrived at a solution, it becomes easier and more collaborative to decide whether to retain, adapt, or let go of a position. This approach turns those moments into genuine opportunities for growth and better outcomes, rather than simply a challenge to overcome.
Your work requires balancing expectations from clients, consultants, contractors, and users. How do you avoid becoming overwhelmed by competing demands while keeping sight of what matters most?
I try not to view expectations and goals as just contractual negotiations, because in our creative industry, the goalposts often shift, and navigating expectations means embracing this fluidity. I’ve found it’s crucial to approach every counterpart as a human; when you show humanity, it’s usually reciprocated. I make it a point to really listen to everyone involved and understand their perspectives. From there, I identify and establish priorities, even if that means breaking from convention at times. Setting a collaborative tone with the team from the very beginning is essential, and that also means I need to be collaborative myself. This approach helps me stay focused on what matters most, even when competing demands arise.
What is a lesson you learned the hard way that no university, mentor, or textbook could have prepared you for?
One lesson I learned the hard way is that it’s much easier to motivate and justify a decision when you can find the objectivity within the subjectivity of design.
When younger architects ask for advice on building a successful career, what qualities do you believe matter most beyond talent, technical knowledge, and design ability?
When younger architects ask me for advice, I always encourage them to explore our profession from as many perspectives as possible. There’s no rule that says you have to stay with one company or one person for a set amount of time to be considered serious or professional. Move to different countries, work for both big and small offices, and don’t be afraid to move around early in your career. By doing this, you’ll discover your own passions, establish your boundaries, and learn what should be truly appreciated. Most importantly, you’ll realise that you can actually enjoy the ride; nothing is ever as serious as it might seem in the moment.