We believe that great relationships shape great buildings. A building project is as much of a journey to us as it is to our clients. We believe in sharing visions and negotiating terms in such a way that new lasting relationships are formed, more often friendships.
Provocative designs could be captured by producing a sketch, model, or photo render. Great architecture is built form that complies with all baseline principles and therefore must be usable, practical, beautiful, within budget, and delivered within the timeframe and to the financial satisfaction of the investor.
An Avant-garde mindset imagines the perfect experience that architecture could offer its users. To achieve that the Architect has to imagine it within a context full of living experiences and allow the architecture to amplify that.
I believe in being true to materials, honest buildings, materials exposing themselves for what they are, and building systems that reveal their making.
Every great design decision is subject to underlying design theories and principles. For me, it is the principle of contribution. How will this contribute to something bigger than itself?
With every project, I see the importance of an exhaustive understanding of the different environments of a project i.e. natural, legal, political, and financial but where you will find the most inspiration is by understanding the client and the building user and their potential interaction with these environments.
About Francois Malan

Director | Pr. Arch 21243 | SACAP | SAIA 8939
N-Dip (CPUT), B-Tech (CPUT), B-Hons (UP),
M-Arch (UP) cum laude
“Nothing is impossible, today is our treasure and tomorrow our goal.” – Francois Malan
Francois’ first employment as an architect was in the studio of Martin Kruger Associates where he was part of a team producing award winning architecture. He relocated to Stellenbosch where he worked for TV3 Architects gaining valuable experience in Project administration a multitude of building typologies, of which Healthcare was the focus.
In 2017 he founded Freestudio Architects later to be renamed Francois Malan Architects and started a lifelong dream to explore the nuances of architecture. He calls himself a student of architecture and loves to study the works of the architectural greats of our time and the past. His passion for vernacular architecture can be seen and experienced in all his work.
We believe that great relationships shape great buildings. A building project is as much of a journey to us as it is to our clients. We believe in sharing visions and negotiating terms in such a way that new lasting relationships are formed, more often friendships.
Provocative designs could be captured by producing a sketch, model, or photo render. Great architecture is built form that complies with all baseline principles and therefore must be usable, practical, beautiful, within budget, and delivered within the timeframe and to the financial satisfaction of the investor.
An Avant-garde mindset imagines the perfect experience that architecture could offer its users. To achieve that the Architect has to imagine it within a context full of living experiences and allow the architecture to amplify that.
I believe in being true to materials, honest buildings, materials exposing themselves for what they are, and building systems that reveal their making.
Every great design decision is subject to underlying design theories and principles. For me, it is the principle of contribution. How will this contribute to something bigger than itself?
With every project, I see the importance of an exhaustive understanding of the different environments of a project i.e. natural, legal, political, and financial but where you will find the most inspiration is by understanding the client and the building user and their potential interaction with these environments.
About Francois Malan

Director | Pr. Arch 21243
SACAP | SAIA 8939
N-Dip (CPUT), B-Tech (CPUT), B-Hons (UP),
M-Arch (UP) cum laude
“Nothing is impossible, today is our treasure and tomorrow our goal.” – Francois Malan
Francois’ first employment as an architect was in the studio of Martin Kruger Associates where he was part of a team producing award winning architecture. He relocated to Stellenbosch where he worked for TV3 Architects gaining valuable experience in Project administration a multitude of building typologies, of which Healthcare was the focus.
In 2017 he founded Freestudio Architects later to be renamed Francois Malan Architects and started a lifelong dream to explore the nuances of architecture. He calls himself a student of architecture and loves to study the works of the architectural greats of our time and the past. His passion for vernacular architecture can be seen and experienced in all his work.
About Liezel Malan

Office Administration & Finances
BA SPORT SCIENCE (Stellenbosch University), Dip COSMETOLOGY
(AIM Academy) – Best Student 2006
Liezel is a sports and wellness enthusiast with an affinity for numbers, equations and stats. Her career to date has been dedicated to the sports arena – from both a knowledge and participant perspective. She graduated with a BA in Sport Science and furthered her learning through additional courses in beauty, wellness and sports training. She loves to challenge herself in terms of endurance and has completed 5 Ironman events. Her key strengths are loyalty, honesty and a meticulous approach to any task.
Some might describe her as a perfectionist and enjoying ‘looking after’ and caring for others, but here at Francois Malan architects we enjoy her energy and the scrupulous way she handles the finances and office management.
About Liezel Malan

Office Administration & Finances
BA SPORT SCIENCE (Stellenbosch University), Dip COSMETOLOGY
(AIM Academy) – Best Student 2006
Liezel is a sports and wellness enthusiast with an affinity for numbers, equations and stats. Her career to date has been dedicated to the sports arena – from both a knowledge and participant perspective. She graduated with a BA in Sport Science and furthered her learning through additional courses in beauty, wellness and sports training. She loves to challenge herself in terms of endurance and has completed 5 Ironman events. Her key strengths are loyalty, honesty and a meticulous approach to any task.
Some might describe her as a perfectionist and enjoying ‘looking after’ and caring for others, but here at Francois Malan architects we enjoy her energy and the scrupulous way she handles the finances and office management.