Last month we introduced readers to Don Albert, architect and founder of Sound Space Design, has made Piketberg his home after a career spanning in Durban, Sydney, Bali, and Los Angeles. With three decades of international experience, his work focuses on how rural communities can grow sustainably, while preserving their unique character.
International Recognition
Now, his global projects are in the spotlight. Albert’s Peralta Beach Masterplan for Obrana in Portugal has just won three Gold awards from Design Skills Magazine and was named Best Waterfront Development by the Luxury Lifestyles Awards. The large-scale beachfront project has been celebrated for balancing luxury with sensitivity to the natural landscape.
But what does a resort in Portugal have to do with the Western Cape? Albert believes the lessons are highly relevant. “In South Africa we know luxury beachfront living,” he explains, “but crime has often pushed these into gated enclaves, cut off from their surroundings. That’s a missed opportunity.”
Lessons for the Western Cape
Instead, his approach emphasizes weaving developments into their semi-rural settings through public open-space networks, mixed-use buildings, and respect for existing street patterns. “We need permeability, not isolation,” he says. “By embracing nature and using both traditional and modern surveillance techniques, we can create safe environments that still feel part of the community.”
For small towns in the Western Cape, this means growth without losing identity. Rural character is preserved when design honours desire lines, heritage streetscapes, and the rhythm of daily life, while also maximising appeal for new residents and visitors.
As awards confirm the global value of his vision, Albert’s message for local readers is clear: thoughtful design can help rural South Africa thrive — not by walling itself off, but by opening up.
For more information visit: https://www.soundspacedesign.com/