Interview with Don Albert, architect and founder of Sound Space Design
Urban flight and farm-to-table thinking
Congratulations on Sound Space Design’s 30th year in business, and welcome again to the Western Cape. We don’t often feature architects, but your work with rural communities and tourism caught our attention. What’s your take on development in agricultural areas?
“Thank you,” says Don Albert, architect and founder of Sound Space Design. “Since the pandemic, we’ve noticed a strong shift from city living to rural areas — here in South Africa and around the world. For many people, it’s not just about affordability; they’re looking for a slower, healthier lifestyle. Things like climate change are making people think differently.
There’s a growing interest in local food, self-sufficiency, and ‘farm-to-table’ living. Plus, with more people working from home, they aren’t tied to the city anymore.”
So rural living isn’t just appealing to retirees anymore?
“Exactly. We’re seeing young families, remote workers, and creative entrepreneurs moving out here too.”
Why Piketberg? You’ve worked and studied all over the world — Durban, Cape Town, Bali, Sydney — and you did your master’s at UCLA as a Fulbright scholar. Why did you choose to settle in Piketberg?
“Piketberg, and other small towns in the Western Cape, are in what I call the ‘Goldilocks Zone’ — not too far from Cape Town, but far enough to enjoy peace, nature, and a strong sense of community,” he says. Places like St. Helena Bay, Tulbagh and Elands Bay are seeing a boom in tourism and small-scale investment. And we’re seeing the same thing in parts of the Karoo and Klein Karoo.”
Designing the future of rural towns
Is your company working on projects in this region? “Yes, we’ve based ourselves here to support this growth. We’re currently developing a boutique hotel in Piketberg, and we’re involved in land rezoning and masterplanning projects along the West Coast — that’s one of our areas of expertise.”
As rural regions continue to attract new energy, skills, and investment, Don Albert’s work reflects a deeper shift toward sustainable, locally rooted design. With 30 years behind him and fresh projects on the horizon, his move to Piketberg is more than personal — it’s part of a wider vision for how rural South Africa can thrive.
For more information visit www.soundspacedesign.com