Learn more about how Boogertman + Partners' Francois Bredenkamp uses public spaces to bridge social gaps
With homelessness and the effects of education having a very public impact on various parts of society, it is only apt that a leader that frequently deals with public spaces would want to be a part of the #4Leaders4Change movement that is The Sun International CEO SleepOut™ . Learn more about architectural firm Boogertman + Partners' Francois Bredenkamp's motivations for participating.
Director of Boogertman + Partners, Francois Bredenkamp speaks on the significance of this initiative: “I think the incredible thing about CEO SleepOut™ is that obviously we want to raise funds for the different organizations and foundations, so it will enable them to get on with their work and education is obviously a big part of that.”
And as a leader involved in designing public spaces, Francois outlines the realities that homeless people live in: “I think also the major thing is you get to see what these people go through on a daily basis: you don’t know what you’re going to get exposed to and it’s a realization of the unfortunate position some people are in.”
In 2003 - 2005, Francois was with HOK International: a large scale architectural practise in London with over 2000 staff across the world as a design architect.
Francois joined Boogertman+ Partners Architects in 2005 and became a partner and director in 2008. He heads up the Urban and Architectural design department and has experience in diverse project typologies. He has worked in Syria, Cyprus, Egypt, Sudan, South Sudan, Kenya, Namibia, Botswana, Mozambique, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Zambia, Zimbabwe and locally on a multitude of projects. Francois’s expertise and skills covers a range of project typologies ranging from small scale architectural interventions to large scale urban design visions.
Francois completed his Master’s degree in Urban Design and previous to that his Professional Degree in Architecture. He is a registered architect at the South African Council for the Architectural Profession. Francois has attended various local and international seminars and congresses with a focus on design in the professional practise. In 2012 and 2014 he was shortlisted for a future project category at the World Architectural Festival in Singapore. He was also invited to attend the Glen Murcutt Master Class in Australia to represent South Africa in 2009. Current project highlights include the urban design for the Linksfield Mixed Use Development in Edenvale, Johannesburg. He is the design architect for the Menlyn Maine Central Precinct and the Summit Place development on the corner of Garstfontein road and the N1 Highway in Menlyn, Pretoria. Other projects include the Menlyn Podium Building and the Deloitte offices in Menlyn, Pretoria.