founding director
George Elphick was born in 1958 in Harrismith, South Africa. He earned a Bachelor of Architecture (1982) at the University of Natal and is also an Emma Smith Art Scholar and Le Sueur Scholar, both post graduate travelling scholarships for design excellence. He established a private practice in 1987 and became one of the founding partners of epa in 1989. He has served as design critic for five national universities over a 25 year period. In 2026, George was awarded the SAIA Gold Medal for Architecture, one of the profession’s highest individual honours, recognising his distinguished contribution to architecture and the profession. Completed projects over a 30 year period have included the design and implementation of large corporate offices, mixed use developments and high rise apartments, as well as numerous private residential and interior design commissions spread across seven African countries

founding director
Nicholas (Nick) Proome was born in 1959 in Choma, Zambia. He earned a Bachelor of Architecture (1987) at the University of Natal and he began working with MLH & Hamlin Architects in 1981 to become an associate in 1988. The following year, he formed epa together with George Elphick. In 2026, Nick was awarded the SAIA Gold Medal for Architecture, one of the profession’s highest individual honours, recognising his distinguished contribution to architecture and the profession. Specific areas of experience include Master Planning of Medical Educational Institutions, and design of hospitals and hotels. Nick enjoys specific expertise at the inception and through the implementation stages of large projects requiring extensive co-ordination

design director
Jonathan Hall was born in 1972 in Sheffield, United Kingdom. He earned a Bachelor of Architecture Summa Cum Laude in 1994 at the University of Natal. After graduating, he joined epa and became associate in 2000 and partner in 2005. During his career at epa, projects have included design and contract management of a range of retail, industrial, mixed use, multi-storey residential, and office park developments. Jonathan became the design director of the practice in 2018

technical director
Mark Govindasami was born in 1973 in Durban, South Africa. He obtained a Bachelor of Architectural Technology (1996) from M.L. Sultan Technikon. Having gained technical experience in two Durban practices, he returned to study at the University of Natal, earning a bachelor of Architecture (2003). He joined epa in 2005 and has been project architect for hotel, industrial and corporate office developments. Mark was promoted to an associate in the practice in 2006, a partner in 2011 and to technical director of the practice in 2018

director
Greg Gordge was born in 1978 in Durban, South Africa. He began his architectural studies at the University of Natal in 1999 and was awarded the David Haddon Prize and the O’Brien brown scholarship in 2003 and 2004 respectively. He graduated from the University of Natal in 2005 winning the Corobrik Regional student of the year award. Upon graduation Greg worked extensively on various institutional and residential projects before joining EPA in 2009. Greg became an associate of the practice in 2015 and a Partner in 2017. Recent experience includes a range of residential, hospitality and commercial developments both locally and abroad

director
Pierre Roetz was born in 1983 in Vereeniging, South Africa. He joined epa in 2003 while studying for his National Diploma in Architectural Technology at Natal Technikon. During his career as graphics specialist at epa, specific areas of expertise include rendering design concepts of a range of retail, industrial, mixed-use, residential, and office park developments. Pierre was made associate of the practice in 2013

senior associate
Vanessa Govender was born in 1973 in Durban, South Africa. She obtained a National Diploma in Architectural Technology in 1994 from M.L. Sultan Technikon. Having gained technical experience in a Durban based practice. Vanessa joined epa in 2000 and was promoted to associate of the practice in 2009. Recent experience includes residential, industrial and corporate office developments

senior associate
Rajen Rathnavalu was born in 1972 in Durban, South Africa. After obtaining his National Diploma in Architectural Technology he worked in a Durban based practice for 9 years and joined epa in 2001. Rajen has worked on a wide variety of projects including individual residences, large industrial complexes and a range of premium grade commercial developments. He became an associate of the practice in 2016

senior associate
Katrin Chetty was born in 1976 in Otjiwarongo, Namibia. She received a scholarship from the Carl Duisberg Society in Germany. Katrin graduated at the University of Applied Sciences in Stuttgart Germany with a Dipl. Ing. Arch. She worked in Namibia and various regions of South Africa as Project Architect on residential, institutional, and healthcare projects before joining EPA in 2016. Katrin was promoted to associate of the practice in 2023

senior associate
Terri Roetz was born in 1987 in Welkom, South Africa. She pursued her architectural studies at the University of the Free State, earning her Bachelor of Architecture in 2008 and her Master of Architecture in 2012. Her professional journey began with an internship at epa in 2009. After gaining valuable experience in Durban-based architectural practices, Terri rejoined epa in 2016. Her experience includes, education, housing estates, luxury residential, gym and fitness centres and retail projects in Durban and throughout South Africa. She was promoted to senior associate at epa in 2025

associate
Jade Langley was born in Pretoria, South Africa. She completed both her undergraduate and postgraduate degrees at the University of Pretoria with a bursary for the latter, achieving Golden Key recognition during her master’s year. The first seven years of her career were spent designing various projects and interiors in Gauteng, the Western Cape, and Ireland. She relocated to Durban in 2019 and joined epa’s design team, later moving into technical projects. She has experience designing buildings of different scales, including offices, medical facilities, hotels, high-end and high-rise residential properties, and mixed-use developments. She was promoted to associate at epa in 2025