About Us
Our Purpose
At KAA, our purpose is to enhance the way life is lived through the creation of considered, attractive, and timeless spaces that deliver on the vision of our clients. Our extensive experience in commercial and private property comes to the fore in the contemporary design and durability that are characteristic of our work.
KAA BRAND ORIGINATION TIMELINE
1985: Ben Kotlowitz starts his career at a small commercial architectural firm.
1990: Founded Kotlowitz Adler Architects with Neville Adler.
1998: Partnership concluded and the firm rebranded as Kotlowitz and Associates Architects (KAA).
2009: Formed a partnership with Henk Marais and Kotlowitz Marais Architects (KMA) was born.
2017: Riaan Marais joined the practice. Together they became KMMA architects.
2020: The year Ben Kotlowitz went back to his roots: KAA.
House Kloof
Our Team
Our Values
Our commitment to excellence is built on our core values and inspired by client-centricity.
Client Value Creation
Undeniably our most important value, Client Value Creation underscores our commitment to maximizing the value we can add to our clients’ properties – and their lives.
Our goal is to support our clients in making the most of their development and investment with personalised service and meticulous guidance when leading their professional team.
Teamwork
United by our passion for design, we harness the collective expertise of every KAA team member to deliver exceptional outcomes for our clients.
Responsibility
Architecture is a long-term commitment that carries a great responsibility for the architect. We regard this responsibility with utmost seriousness, considering the property owner, occupants, and the environment with the insight needed to deliver a habitat that transcends generations.
Integrity
We approach each project with integrity: We are honest, open, ethical, and fair. Most importantly, we keep to our word. This key value has been guiding KAA team members since our inception, earning the trust of our clients for almost 40 years.
Strong network
Our commitment to excellence is shared by the suppliers and contractors we select to bring our architectural vision to fruition. By collaborating with the best, we create architecture for life.
Pursue growth, learning & innovation – always
We foster an environment that encourages ongoing growth and learning for our employees. We do this by providing opportunities and resources to support their professional development, enabling them to stay at the forefront of our profession.
Gratitude & humility
We are grateful and humbled by the trust our clients place in us to join them on this once-in-a-lifetime journey of creating a habitat that resonates with their way of life.
OUR ACCOLADES
World Architecture Festival 2011 Shortlisted
Kotlowitz & Associates Architects (KAA), previously Kotlowitz Marais Architects, made the World Architecture Festival 2011 shortlist in the “House” category for House Loader in De Waterkant. Only one other South African architect was shortlisted in the house category that year. Directors Ben and Henk went to Barcelona to present the project to the WAF Jury. The project included the transformation of a 65 square meter cottage that was transformed into a 185 square meter house boasting a roof deck with 360° views of the city and its landscape.
ITC-SA Timber Engineered Product Award 2015
In 2015, Kotlowitz & Associates Architects (KAA), previously Kotlowitz Marais Architects, received a Gold Award in the “Alterations and Additions” category for a complex project that required the modernization and enlargement of an existing ground and first floor home, creating a second-floor, two-bedroom flatlet.
House La Croix