PROFILE
PARAGON –
COLLABORATIVE DESIGN EFFORT
DRIVES INNOVATION
Allyson Koekhoven
In its 21st year , Paragon has grown into a formidable practice offering architecture and interior architecture services .
Founding directors Henning Rasmuss and Anthony Orelowitz took a decision early on never to turn away a project . “ Each project has potential . Sometimes this potential is architectural ; sometimes it provides us with learning opportunities ; and sometimes it is derived from the people who make up the project ,” says Rasmuss .
Today Paragon employs over 100 people across the three companies , of which 90 % are architects , interior architects and architectural technologists .
The office is in Illovo , Johannesburg . Rasmuss points out that , although the company does not have any satellite
offices , the mobility of the team to any client location is high . “ We undertake projects in over 18 countries in Africa by partnering with local architects where needed . All designs are completed in our Johannesburg offices , and then delivered as needed .”
A number of elements differentiate the company in the industry . Rasmuss says that a driving factor in the company ’ s success has been the high level of software adoption , firstly with Autodesk and , more recently , a shift towards Building Information Modelling ( BIM ).
He adds that Paragon believes in hardcore value engineering . “ We grew the company on the back of private
22 AFRICAN DESIGN MAGAZINE © | APRIL 2018