Charles Louw

Charles Louw

Principal Architect and Partner (Port Elizabeth)

B. Build (UPE)

B. Arch (UPE)


After graduating from the University of Port Elizabeth (now Nelson Mandela University), Charles Louw worked for two years before being offered a partnership at Omniplan Architects in 1996. In 2000, he joined IDC Architects and opened the Port Elizabeth branch. Besides being a full-time practising architect, he is the Professional Practice Moderator for the Nelson Mandela University, Trustee of APIGIS and current President of the South African Institute of Architects Eastern Cape Region.


Project experience to date includes:

  • Woody Cape Nature Reserve, Alexandria Additions & Renovations
  • House Malherbe, Bushmans River
  • Gcinisa North, Peddie, School Classrooms
  • Ngele School, Middledrift, School Classroom
  • Luvuyo Community Hall, Grahamstown
  • Victoria Girls High School, Grahamstown, Pavilion Upgrading, New Club House & Centenary Sculpture
  • Drs Campbell, Hellstrom & Du Preez Surgery, Port Elizabeth
  • Masterplan South African National Tuberculosis Association Winterberg,  Fort Beaufort
  • South African National Tuberculosis Association Winterberg, Laundry additions, Fort Beaufort
  • Fregate Island Resort, Fregate Island, Seychelles New Resort (Assistant Architects Technical Documentation)
  • ARUM Health and Beauty, Port Elizabeth
  • Sunridge Primary School Media Centre, Port Elizabeth
  • Padlangs Farmstall, Patensie
  • V3 Office Complex, Port Elizabeth
  • Settlers Hospital, Grahamstown New OPD & Casualty Wing (Assistant Architects Contract Administration)
  • Hertz Service and Holding Facility, Port Elizabeth Airport
  • Auction Alliance Office Complex, Port Elizabeth
  • House Theron, Port Elizabeth
  • Remembrance Garden Dutch Reformed Church Kragga Kamma, Port Elizabeth
  • Siyalinga/ Thembelihle Place of Safety,Creation of a Multipurpose Centre for the Department of Social Development
  • Independent Development Trust Schools Programme Phase 3:
    • Gelvandale Senior Secondary School
    • Kwanoxolo Primary School
    • Coega Primary School
    • Inkqubela Primary School
  • Settlers Hospital Masterplan, Grahamstown
  • House Grebe, Glentana
  • Coega Development Corporation, Entrance Features and Security Fencing for the Coega IDZ
  • National Alamo Car Rental Service and Holding Facility, Port Elizabeth Airport
  • Bilila Lodge, Serengeti, Tanzania (Assistant Architects Technical Documentation)
  • Ngorongoro Lodge, Tanzania (Assistant Architects Technical Documentation)
  • Quinera Waste Water Treatment Plant- Architectural Consultants, East London
  • Livingstone Hospital, Accident & Emergency Centre, Port Elizabeth (in Consortium)
  • Boschberg Estate Tourism Hub, Somerset East
  • Koedoeskloof Landfill Site- Architectural Consultants
  • Livingstone Hospital, Oncology Centre, Port Elizabeth (in Consortium)
  • PSG Offices, Port Elizabeth
  • Upgrading of Sunshine Special School, Uitenhage
  • Ezibeleni Stadium, Queenstown
  • Sada Stadium, Whittlesea
  • House Basson- Bowden, Port Elizabeth
  • Lukhanji Community Centres, Queenstown
  • Additions & Alterations for Hobbitan Trust
  • House Ferrey, Additions, Port Elizabeth
  • Coega Development Corporation, Healthcare Facilities Audits for Cluster 4, Eastern Cape
  • Mountainview Community Centre, Kareedouw
  • Ravinia Community Centre, Joubertina
  • ESKOM Customer Centre, Humansdorp
  • Hazelwood Gate Offices and Apartments, Pretoria (Assistant Architects Technical Documentation)
  • ESKOM Space Planning, Port Elizabeth
  • Armadale Farm Additions, Kirkwood
  • Whittlesea Community Centre, Whittlesea
  • Chris Hani District Municipality Office Upgrade, Queenstown

Mr Louw is a member of the South African Council for the Architectural Profession (SACAP) and South African Institute of Architects (SAIA)

Charles Louw