My name is Gary, I was born in Mitchell’s Plain, Cape Town in 1978. After matriculating from Princeton Technical High School, I worked for 2 years to save enough for a deposit to attend my 1st year at Peninsula Technikon where I studied Architectural Technology. I did my 2nd year in-service at Stefan Antoni Architects (SAOTA) under the supervision of Philip Olmesdahl. I went back to complete my 3rd year whilst simultaneously working full-time. This proved too much and was forced to drop out due to financial dependence. I was fortunate to work on some amazing projects between 2001 and 2008. Namely several high end residential projects at SAOTA. Willowbridge Lifestyle centre with Vivid Architects. The V&A Link Mall with Louis Karol Architects before the onset of the 2008 financial crisis. From 2009 to 2011, I chose to weather the storm of the financial crisis by backpacking through Africa, which has always been something I wanted to do. This experience presented me a fresh perspective and gave me a new outlook on life. From 2012 to 2013 I ran a small studio where we worked on Occupational Health & Safety projects for AVH Architects with the aim of bringing all ABSA owned and leased buildings up to the current SANS Standards. From 2014 to 2015 I worked at DHK Architects on Dainfern Square, Plattekloof Shopping Centre, City Varsity & several design concepts. In 2015 I got offered the opportunity to be a Project Leader at MLB Architects and ran point on the Estate in Sea Point. I left MLB so I could return to university full-time to complete my B-tech degree. Before leaving I co-ordinated and built the model for The Rockefeller which is currently under construction. I am currently the only RPL applicant in the final year of B-Tech at CPUT and will be graduating on the 7th of December 2019. In my nearly 20 years in this industry, I have come to understand that architecture is meant to be of service to the betterment of everyone, and would like to work in a company or organization that is helping to make a contribution in this regard.