Nicholas Plewman Architects

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Designing through aesthetic integrity ✍️ Nicholas Plewman Architects was founded and is directed by Nick Plewman.

He has welded a life time passion for the wilderness to two decades of design and project management experience in remote and sensitive environments. To this have been banded the skills of qualified architects, project and cost managers and technologists. The practice has completed over 35 projects across Southern and East Africa for both public and private clients and has been published in several books* and magazines such as Architectural Digest and Conde Nast Traveller. We provide design and project implementation that is uncompromisingly innovative and ecologically sustainable in any environment from inner city to the remotest wilderness.

21/10/2026

ARAMNESS GIR LODGE

Set on a former working farm, Aramness Gir is designed to integrate with the surrounding village fabric.

The kothis (independent, multi-storey bungalow) draw directly from local homes, arranged in an informal pattern that forms a network of meandering streets rather than a fixed layout.

A key driver was to retain the identity of the site as a working farm while introducing a sense of wilderness. Built form, landscape and agriculture are interwoven into a single system.

The project supports both conservation and local culture, establishing a long-term relationship between people, place and ecology.

🏛: Aramness Gir Lodge
📍: Sasan Gir, India
🏗: Aramness
📐: NPA Architects
🛋: Fox Browne Creative
📸: Dook Clunies-ross

16/10/2026

AWARD | INTERNATIONAL BUILD BY A SOUTH AFRICAN PRACTICE

We’re pleased to share that Wilderness Bisate Reserve has won the International Build by a South African Practice award at the 2026 Scape Awards of Excellence of Excellence, hosted by SCAPE Magazine.

Overlooking Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, Bisate Reserve draws on traditional Rwandan forms through sculptural architecture that reflects the surrounding volcanic landscape and supports Wilderness’ conservation vision.

It has been a pleasure working alongside Câline Williams-Wynn, DeVS-SIVEST Consulting Engineers, Town And Country Construction and Fox QPC in bringing this project to life. Thank you to everyone involved for their collaboration, and to the Scape team and jury for recognising the work.

📸 Felix Studios, Mark Woodruff and Chris Schalkx

15/10/2026

AWARD | ARCHITECTURE FIRM OF THE YEAR - SMALL PRACTICE

We’re honoured to have been named runner-up in the Architecture Firm of the Year - Small Practice category at the 2026 Scape Awards of Excellence of Excellence, hosted by SCAPE Magazine at Quoin Rock on Friday evening.

This recognition reflects the work, commitment and collaboration that go into every project.

Thank you to our clients, collaborators, consultants and team for your continued trust and support, and to the Scape Awards of Excellence jury for this recognition. Congratulations to all the winners and fellow runners-up.

13/10/2026

FEATURE | BEST 100 HOTELS ACROSS AFRICA

We’re proud to share that 10 of our projects have been included in Tatler Best Africa’s inaugural list of the Best 100 Hotels across the continent.

Adding to this recognition, Arijiju official page was named Best Design, while Wilderness’ Bisate Reserve received the Best Lodge award in the Africa Best-in-Class Hotels categories.

This recognition reflects the collaboration, shared vision and dedication behind each project. Congratulations to all the teams involved, and thank you to Tatler Africa for the recognition.

07/10/2026

SUYIAN LODGE

The guest areas are organised around a series of curved forms that respond to the granite outcrops of the Rock Sanctuary beyond. The main lodge forms a central gathering space, with lounges, dining areas and terraces arranged to follow the contours of the ridge and open towards the surrounding landscape.

A restrained material palette of local stone, earth-toned plaster and timber gives continuity across the interiors and exterior spaces. The curved walls and arched openings are paired with timber-lathed ceilings, creating a consistent architectural language that moves between enclosed and open areas.

Large openings and shaded terraces extend the main guest areas outward, allowing the architecture to frame the expansive views while providing protection from the elements. The pool terrace and lower firepit continue this approach, creating distinct outdoor spaces that remain closely connected to the main building and the landscape beyond.

🏛: andBeyond Suyian
📍: Suyian Conservancy, Kenya
🏗: andBeyond
📐: NPA Architects in collaboration with Michaelis Boyd | Architecture & Interiors
🛋: Fox Browne Creative
👷: Continental Consultants LLP
📸: Dook Clunies-ross

30/09/2026

UBUNTU LODGE

Designed around a series of stone walls that extend into the surrounding landscape, defining the main spaces of the lodge and creating a sequence of courtyards and open areas.

Set within a tamboti forest, the architecture responds directly to its context through a combination of locally appropriate materials and carefully considered openings. Timber screens provide privacy while allowing filtered views and natural light into the spaces, while extensive glazing and covered decks strengthen the connection between the interior and the surrounding bush.

The stone walls provide a strong architectural structure, contrasted with timber ceilings, decks and screens that bring warmth to the spaces. Throughout the lodge, the design uses changes in level, courtyards and open-plan spaces to create a gradual transition between enclosed and outdoor areas.

🏛: Ubuntu Lodge
📍: Elephant Point Private Reserve, Kruger National Park, South Africa
🏗: Elephant Point
📐: NPA Architects
🛋: Reflecting Africa Interior Design
📸: Elsa

22/09/2026

MORUKURU FARM HOUSE

Set within the bushveld of Madikwe Game Reserve, the suites are arranged as individual spaces connected to the main house by covered walkways. Large glazed openings and sliding doors open the bedrooms directly onto timber decks, creating a strong connection between the enclosed spaces and the surrounding bush.

Timber structures, plastered masonry and glass form a simple material palette, while deep verandahs provide shade and help manage light and ventilation. The outdoor showers and baths extend the bathrooms onto the decks, making the landscape part of the everyday experience.

The design responds to the setting through a low-profile form, covered circulation and a close relationship between indoor and outdoor spaces, allowing the suites to open directly onto the landscape.

🏛: Morukuru Farm House
📍: Madikwe Game Reserve, South Africa
🏗: Morukuru Family Madikwe | Relais & Chateaux
📐: NPA Architects
🛋: Huis van Middenmeer
📸: Dook Clunies-ross

16/09/2026

SIRAI HOUSE

Set on a ridge at the foot of Mount Kenya, Sirai House sets the stage for harmonious dialogue between the building and its expansive landscape. Solid stone volumes are balanced with open living spaces, large glazed openings, and timber structures, creating an experience where views, natural light, and airflow become integral elements.

The material palette draws heavily from the local setting, featuring hand-cut stone, timber, and thatch throughout. Heavy timber elements and exposed roof structures infuse warmth and texture into the stone, while large openings framed by timber extend the living spaces towards the surrounding landscape. Built by Kenyan craftsmen using locally sourced materials, the house reinforces its connection to place and craft.

The result is a contemporary interpretation of a bush home that remains grounded in its environment, using material, proportion, and openness to connect the interiors with the landscape.

🏛: Sirai House
📍: Borana Conservancy, Kenya
🏗: SIRAI HOUSE
📐: NPA Architects
🛋: Fox Browne Creative
📸: Dook Clunies-ross

09/09/2026

MOMBO CAMP

Elevated above the floodplains of the Okavango Delta, the suites are designed as a sequence of interleading spaces, with raised timber walkways that create a continuous journey through the surrounding landscape. Generous decks, screened openings and carefully framed views draw the Delta into the experience of each room.

Timber and canvas form the foundation of the design, chosen for their suitability to the remote setting and sensitivity of the environment. Suspended timber floors, double-layered roofs and natural ventilation support passive cooling, while the restrained material palette allows the architecture to sit quietly in the surrounding landscape.

The original camp was rebuilt in 2017, retaining the character and history of its predecessor while introducing a more considered approach to environmental impact. The new suites were designed to feel immersed in the landscape, rather than separate from it.

🏛: Mombo Camp
📍: Okavango Delta, Botswana
🏗: Wilderness
📐: NPA Architects
🛋: Câline Williams-Wynn
📸: David Crookes And Nicola Jackson

02/09/2026

XARANNA OKAVANGO DELTA CAMP

The tented suites at Xaranna Okavango Delta Camp are designed to maximise their connection to the surrounding Delta while providing privacy and comfort. Positioned along the edge of a permanent lagoon, each suite opens onto a private deck with a plunge pool and covered sala, extending the living spaces into the landscape.

A palette of canvas, bleached timber and natural fibres defines the interiors, creating light, open spaces that reflect the colours and textures of the Okavango. Full-height glazing, generous openings and covered outdoor areas allow natural light and views to shape the experience of each suite, while indoor and outdoor bathrooms further strengthen the relationship between the built environment and its setting.

By combining lightweight construction with a carefully considered material palette, the suites demonstrate how contemporary safari design can respond to the unique conditions of the Delta while maintaining a strong connection to place.

🏛: andBeyond Xaranna Okavango Delta Camp
📍: Okavango Delta, Botswanna
🏗: andBeyond
📐: NPA Architects
🛋: Fox Browne Creative
📸: Dook Clunies-ross

Address

Building K, Stellenbosch Agri-Park, Baden Powell Drive
Randburg
7603

Telephone

+27114473414

Website

http://plewmanarchitects.co.za/

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