Celebrating three generations of women at the Paragon Group
South Africa is commemorating Women’s Month in August as a tribute to the over 20 000 women who marched to the Union Buildings on 9 August 1956 in protest against the extension of Pass Laws to women.
Representing “a sprig of youth” is Student Architect Caitlin Ho, who has a BSc in Architecture from the University of Pretoria. While it is her second year at Paragon Architects, she will return to university next year for postgraduate study. In her 20s, Caitlin says she brings “fresh eyes to the teams in which I work. I use my energy to throw myself headfirst into any task, no matter how mundane it may seem, as everything is an opportunity to learn.”
Caitlin cites the inspiration for her career choice as sitting in the lobby of Alexander Forbes in Sandton, where she subconsciously thought: “This is a cool building. I wonder what its environmental rating is?” This, in turn, got her thinking about the built environment. “I still find it ironic that the building which whispered in my ear and started my journey was designed by the very firm I am working for at the moment.”
Candidate Senior Architectural Technologist Mpho Nomnga is in her 30s, with a BTech in Architectural Technology and an interest in the technical and business side. Responding to a recruitment agency, she ended up with two companies to choose from. “Both interviews were successful and so I had to make a choice. Almost fours later I am still at Paragon Interface.”
Mpho has a love for beautiful buildings, both inside and outside. “Seeing the impact of the spaces we create on the end users is what keeps my passion for architecture and design alive. My personal vision is honestly the main thing that has kept me working.”
Nurturing young talent is part and parcel of the DNA of the Paragon Group. “We see it as our duty to develop employees and foster their professional growth. Whether they stay for the long haul, or move on after some years, often to open their own practices, we like to think they have had the best opportunity possible to become well-rounded architects or interior designers,” affirms Estelle.
Caitlin adds that the transition from university to ‘office life’ was an exciting one. “I have only scratched the surface, but by observing the talented people around me, I am learning more than I could ever have imagined. The design, construction and life skills I am acquiring is unquantifiable.”
This ranges from time management to work ethic as well as design rationale, presentation, construction and industry knowledge. “I am excited to overlay these skills with an academic’s eye and design theory when I return to university.”
A top attribute of the Paragon Group for Caitlin is the company culture, as people are always patient and wholehearted in offering assistance. “What I enjoy most is the teamwork and spirit that extends beyond the workspace. Personally, it is extremely exciting being able to say I contributed something to a project. I can confidently say I have learnt exponentially from day one. I have had the chance to work on a number of projects in all sectors – from residential to offices, retail and storage. This range of experience does not come often or easy to young designers.”
Caitlin’s message to fellow students contemplating a similar career path is that success is ultimately determined by a willingness to learn and grow. “Grab each opportunity, no matter how daunting or simple, and ask questions constantly. Listen carefully, be enthusiastic and work smart and hard. Build yourself and your confidence in both life and work.”
This is also an ongoing journey. “Understanding that being an architect means improving throughout your career has been a wonderful insight for me. I love the fact that I am constantly gaining new knowledge; I love how my designs and design insights have developed and ripened over time. And I am looking forward to seeing where my knowledge and skills will go in the next ten years. That is what keeps me excited and happy and in love with what I do every day,” highlights Estelle.
The Paragon Group continues to evolve along with its employees. “Just as I am constantly growing, Paragon is persistently developing and changing as the world shifts around us. The changes that have taken place on a global scale in the last few months have been astounding. I think we are all still trying to come to terms with how things will settle in the longer run. However, I would love to see Paragon play a key role in improving the built environment for human beings – in South Africa, but also internationally – by creating spaces that people can thrive in,” concludes Estelle.
Ends
Connect with Paragon on Social Media to receive the company’s latest news
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ParagonGroupZA
Pinterest: https://za.pinterest.com/ParagonGroupZA
LinkedIn: http://bit.ly/ParagonGroupLinkedIn
Instagram: paragongroupza
Notes to the Editor
To download hi-res images for this release, please visit http://media.ngage.co.za and click the Paragon link to view the company’s press office.
About Paragon
Paragon, established in October 1997, is an internationally-active design business, based in Johannesburg. We deliver commercial architecture, masterplanning, interior design, and space planning to visionary clients in all property sectors, from retail to residential and education.
We are committed to global urban development. We are able and agile. Paragon is flexible and diverse in its approach to design. Each project is unique and not driven by style, but by lifestyle and a response to user needs. Elegant and efficient planning form the core of our designs. We understand the needs of our clients, and know how to generate ever new architectural forms in a competitive property market.
We are known for hands-on engagement with all opportunities present in the modern global building industry. The true measure of our skill is our ability to engage at all levels and with all players that make up the colourful world of construction and property development. Our buildings look forward. We embrace the future, because we will be a part of it – part of its problems and responsibilities, and part of its great freedoms and achievements.
Paragon Group Contact
Cindy Faux
Director
Phone: (011) 482 3781
Email: cindyf [at] paragon [dot] co [dot] za
Web: www.paragon.co.za
Media Contact
Renay Tandy
NGAGE Public Relations
Phone: (011) 867 7763
Fax: 086 512 3352
Cell: 082 562 5088
Email: renay [at] ngage [dot] co [dot] za
Web: www.ngage.co.za
Browse the NGAGE Media Zone for more client press releases and photographs at http://media.ngage.co.za