Bomax Architects have been shortlisted for Residential Architectural Property Award in The International Design and Architecture Awards 2023. Read more about Practice Principle, Dion Max Walters, below:

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Name: Dion Max Walters

Company: Bomax Architects

Position within company: Practice Principle

Website: http://www.bomax.co.za

Tell us a little about your background in design (education, experience, etc):
I inherited my mother’s artistic talent. Creating has always been a passion, this desire ascended to buildings when I saw a first-year class of architecture students building sandcastles. I received a Masters Degree in architecture from the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan School of Architecture in Gqeberha in the 90’s. After a two-year internship I started Bomax Architects in 2000 and remained committed to a refined contemporary design style. Team has always been important. It has now been 22 years of hard practice, and the unwavering dedication and commitment to a certain design ethos has built a brand that has a signature of its own today. 

How would you describe your personal design style?
My objective with design is to keep it simple and refined. I love working up bold forms, clean lines and unique details. Our work translates into a minimalist contemporary style. I like to show personality in my design, setting fashion aside and making brave decisions that simply feel good seem to add real flavour.

Where does your design inspiration come from?
The order of nature.

In what direction do you feel that design is moving towards in a general sense?
The future of design will be about efficiency. The efficiency of time and energy – how we reduce the demand on Earth will become a necessity not just seen as a green crusade. Economic viability will be influenced by modular systems, Ai and sustainable materials. This is going to affect the way things are designed and manufactured.

Name five key themes to consider when approaching design in 2023 and beyond.
Modular design, passive solutions, sustainable materials, waste and carbon footprint

If you could offer one piece of advice when it comes to design schemes, what would it be?
Develop a strong concept with refined detail and your own personal taste.

How important are The International Design & Architecture Awards? It is important for us to support the prestigious awards of the world that review a broad base network of design for the right reasons

What projects are you currently working on?
Special homes in Cape Town, an Orphanage in Angola and a residential estate in Cameroon.

What was your favourite project to work on and why?
The project we submitted to IDA this year, House Llandudno. This project gave us the opportunity to express form with engineering flare and use sustainable materials with passive design principles. It was also the wonderful synergy with the clients that enabled the creation. 

What was your most challenging project to work on and why?
Pity I cant share this confidential African story.

Which products/services could you not live without when designing? Products – felt tip 0.8mm pens, bumph tracing paper, Revit 3d, Enscape Chaos, HTC Vive Virtual Reality. Services – our in-house team of creative pros.

What are your aims and goals for the next twelve months?
Prioritise family, then – excel at our current projects and choose the next ones wisely.  Build our brand, build more models, and create more furniture, showcase our work to the world – something we haven’t bothered to do yet. All while making sure to stay fit, make time for surfing and playing guitar… and continue to DJ some good parties. Just the usual stuff.

Final thoughts; tell us a little more about yourself and your daily inspirations:

Your most treasured possession?
A mahogany Martin D15m acoustic guitar.

Your favourite holiday destination?
The Mentawai Islands.

Your favourite hotel, restaurant & bar?
Electra Metropolis, Athens / Frank’s Café, Cape Town / House of Machines Bar, Cape Town.

Your favourite book, film & song?  
Animal Farm, George Orwell / Blade Runner 2049 / Sound Garden, Fell on Black Days.

Your favourite food and drink?
Puttanesca pasta and Pinot Noir.

Your favourite way to spend an afternoon?
Surfing.

If you weren’t a designer, what would you be?
Film Director.

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