Boukunde - Department of Architecture, UP

03/09/2026

Congratulations to Dr Gaby Bianca Hansen, who graduated with a PhD in Landscape Architecture during the University of Pretoria’s Spring Graduation ceremonies.

Her doctoral research, “Dryland Nature-based Solutions for Climate Adaptive Planning: The Case of Windhoek, Namibia”, challenges assumptions about how dryland environments should respond to climate change, arguing for approaches grounded in local ecological conditions and knowledge.

Gaby’s graduation also marks an important first for the Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology: she is the first doctoral candidate in EBIT to complete her PhD in an article-based format.

Congratulations, Dr Hansen, on an exceptional milestone.

Read the full article: https://www.up.ac.za/news/graduate-challenges-idea-drylands-need-be-greener-adapt-climate-change

03/09/2026

UP graduate challenges idea that drylands need to be ‘greener’ to adapt to climate change

UP graduate challenges idea that drylands need to be ‘greener’ to adapt to climate change Posted on September 02, 2026 Do dryland environments really need to become greener to adapt to a changing climate?For Gaby Bianca Hansen, who graduated from the University of Pretoria (UP) during the Univer...

28/08/2026

From a childhood dream of studying at the University of Pretoria (UP) to pursuing a Master’s and serving her hometown of Mabopane, Ketla Madileng is determined to keep learning, growing and giving back.

: ‘I feel blessed to be part of the UP family. I’ve found my purpose’ - Ketla Madilen
Read the full article here:

From a childhood dream of studying at the University of Pretoria (UP) to pursuing a Master’s and serving her hometown of Mabopane, Ketla Madileng is determined to keep learning, growing and giving back.

24/08/2026

Join us for the second University of Pretoria Webinar on Disability. This webinar series provides an opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions about disability inclusion and to explore practical approaches to creating accessible, inclusive environments.

Date: Tuesday, 15 September 2026
Time: 13:00–14:00 (South African Standard Time)
Online: Please RSVP to https://lnkd.in/dT26di7E

11/08/2026

A massive thank you to the generous property owners and architects who welcomed our University of Pretoria MArch(Prof) students into these exceptional spaces!

Huge shout-out to Nadine Engelbrecht and Julie-Anne Geldenh for hosting us, sharing your invaluable design insights, and walking our students through the story behind each project. Grounding academic theory in real-world practice makes all the difference! ✨📐

📍 Featured Projects:
Hillenberg Apartments | Nadine Engelbrecht Architects
JCAF Gallery | StudioMas Architects

09/08/2026

Today we celebrate the women who are part of our Department of Architecture: our students, staff, graduates and alumni, and the many women contributing to architectural practice, research, education and the built environment across South Africa.

We recognise and celebrate your work, your knowledge and your contribution to the discipline.

Happy Women’s Day.

08/08/2026

Prospective students sit for the Round 3 selection test at the Department of Architecture today and Monday. Our intake of prospective students who meet the minimum admission requirements is 700% oversubscribed for next year, and we are therefore compelled to select students for admission to our first-year of study. We employ a four-step selection process, developed over the past 18 intake cycles, in order to identify the strongest applicants. Apart from academic merit in the first round, we also consider an applicant’s comprehension and communication skills, general knowledge and interests, initiative, independence, ingenuity, spatial imagination, aptitude and record of community service to identify self-motivated all-rounders who are strategic thinkers with the ability to engage resourcefully with logic as well as abstract theory. This process has led to improved pass and graduation rates, establishing the Department of Architecture as a leading performer within the institution. Read more about our admission requirements at https://www.up.ac.za/architecture/study-bsc-architecture-university-of-pretoria.

07/08/2026

On 23 July 2026, BIMcommUNITY.Africa and UP Department of Architecture (Boukunde) hosted the Student Session of BIMHarambee. The theme of ‘Smarter, and Better Connected’ was reinforced by the morning’s presentations. The aim was to introduce students to the world of BIM (Building Information Modelling) and to show how they could remain relevant in an industry that’s evolving with the adoption of digital technologies. They were exposed to practical lessons on identifying companies that would contribute to their growth and relevance, a strategic choice that would position them for the fast-changing built environment. 259 Students from the University of Pretoria, University of the Witwatersrand, Tshwane University of Technology and the University of Johannesburg packed out the Boukunde auditorium and left the session with a deeper understanding of the potential of digital technologies and how to best position themselves for a constantly evolving career.

The videos and presentations of the Student Session of BIMHarambee 2026 can be found at https://www.bimcommunity.africa/bimharambee-2026

06/08/2026

CONSIDERING A POSTGRADUATE DEGREE IN LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE?
If you're considering a Postgraduate Degree in Landscape Architecture, don't navigate the application process alone. Join our annual online Q&A session to get direct insights, program details, and answers to your questions!

📅 When: Wednesday, 12 August | 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM SAST

📍 Where: Online (Click to join: https://eu.bbcollab.com/guest/fe2237e991ae443993eeb1bf839a89e4)

⏳ Application Deadline: 30 September 2026