Derek Thomas

Experience

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  Clark and Thomas Architects

  Jan 1983 - Feb 2001

  Partner

  A built from scratch practice, mainly focused on commercial and Industrial projects, with a number of Resorts undertaken, as well as hospital related work. I also qualified as an Arbitrator, and undertook a number of arbitrations. We employed around 15 people at our peak. I also built our own team to develop five commercial office buildings, which we fully tenanted, then sold.

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  Stauch Vorster Architects, Durban

  Jan 2003 - Jan 2008

  Director

  I was a director in one of South Africa's premier Architectural firms, with experience in Technikons, the Durban Country Club revamp, and shopping centers.

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  SHABANGU ARCHITECTS, Ilembe Consortium.

  Sept 2008 - Jul 2010

  Senior Site Architect

  As Senior Site Architect, I was responsible for the on-site implementation of over 40 ancillary buildings - Control Tower, Maintenance buildings, fire station, dog kennels, Cyberport, Substations and the Camp LAPA. I designed a number of these buildings myself as part of a fast-track implementation process.I wrote a 250 page book recounting this experience.

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  AECOM

  Sept 2013 - Feb 2020

  Executive Practice Area Lead Architecture, AECOM, Western Cape

  I was asked to form and head up the new Architectural Division for AECOM in the Western Cape. I employed about 8 professionals at peak. We were involved in multi-disciplinary projects for Transnet - including their Saldanha Tippler. I designed the new Kasane Airport Terminal. Plus we won the competition for the new SKA Headquarters. Plus we built three new data centers. AECOM have an enforced aged 65 retirement policy, so from 2018 I was employed on the new Cape Town International Terminal 2 extension, and was on Data Centre supervision until these projects were complete. Covid interrupted our lives. Show less

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  Self-employed

  Mar 2020 - now

  I do painting and sketches I authored two books. The first was THE WEEKLY REPORT, about my time as a Site Architect on King Shaka Airport - 250 pages. Then during Covid I wrote THE NEXT ANCESTOR, a memoir about my life, from my birth in Kenya, schooling in England, various travels, and emigration to South Africa. The book is 300 pages (85000 words) with approximately 500 photographs.

  • Artist

    Jan 1976 - now

  • Book Author

    Mar 2020 - Aug 2020
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  Peerutin Karol Architects

  Sept 2022 - now

  Architect

  I am using my extensive experience to reinvent my asset value across a range of architectural interfaces.