Abdullah Abass – Principal & Founder
Abdullah Abass completed a Master’s Degree in Architecture (with Distinction) at the University of the Witwatersrand (2007). His degree was then fostered by a professional career at Peter Rich Architects for three years. He gained proficiency in spacial and detailed design principals, as well as master planning. This exposure enabled him to understand the need for an architecture that is rich in its spatial quality, aesthetic and meaning.
Abdullah Abass stayed abreast of the academics whilst giving back to young architects when he got appointed as a design tutor at the University of Johannesburg from 2012 to the end of 2015.
Below is a list of awards, achievements and publications
- Winner Corobrik regional student of the year 2007, for Masters in Architecture (prof), University of the Witwatersrand.
- A S Furner Prize: The best and most original scheme submitted by a Master of Architecture (Prof) student in the course “Design and Discourse”. 2007
- Gauteng Institute of Architects Award: The Master of Architecture (Prof.) graduand who most convincingly demonstrates the correlation between critical enquiry and design resolution through the interrelationship of research documentation to architectural representation. 2007
- Articles published: Designing Ways, Leading Architecture, Architect and Builder, Benoni City times and Get It Magazine. (All in 2008)
- Finalist Cement and Concrete Institute Of South Africa Competition. (Wits University representative – Cape Town 2007).
- Projects article published – “Designing Ways”, February 2005.
- B – Tech Applied Design award and overall Student of the year 2004.
- Finalist Murray and Roberts Des Baker Architectural Student Awards. (Wits Technikon representative – Durban 2004).
Omar Horzook – Junior Architect
As a Junior Architect, with an MArch and Honours from the University of Pretoria,and undergraduate qualifications from the University of Johannesburg, Omar Horzook has been exposed to a variety of factors and influences necessary to perform in the working environment. Having worked for Johannesburg-based practices previously, his past experiences and education is applied and tested at Abdullah Abass Architects in an attempt to craft projects that are tailored to the myriad of needs presented by Clients.
Omar shares interests that are focused around design, yet vary in discipline, with architecture being his chosen vocation. Other areas of interest and hobbies include academia, model building, furniture design & craft, food design and preparation, and DIY projects.
Ilyaas Adia
Ilyaas Adia studied Islamic Theology and graduated in 2009, he then ventured into his passion for drafting and design. He studied Multi-Disciplinary Drawing office practice, where he acquired the proficiency of technical drawings in different disciplines including architecture and engineering. He worked in a Structural Engineering environment for two years where he achieved familiarity in the structural composition of buildings. Ilyaas is a minimalist by nature, having a keen eye for clean lines and details.