In nomadic creation myths totemic beings wandered the earth in dreamtime and sang the world into existence. In their songlines the physical and metaphysical transcends time.

Songline Architects cc is a highly experienced architectural practice that embraces a sensitive and collaborative design philosophy. Our diverse portfolio reflects a dedication to innovative, pragmatic and delightful solutions for the built environment, always in context with its settings.

We have a deep appreciation for both historic and contemporary architecture and have significant experience in combining the two. Our buildings aim to serve and support community and individual wellbeing, understand and respond to daily rituals and use patterns and to age timelessly. We believe that the built environment must be supported by healthy ecosystems and always look for opportunities to strengthen our connection with the natural world. Sustainability is a key driver in our designs, both to reduce harm to our natural environment as well as to reduce the lifecycle and maintenance costs of our buildings. 

We are experienced in a wide range of architectural services ranging from projects of a highly technical research or industrial nature, sensitive heritage projects, specialized investigations and surveys, educational as well as customized and personal residential projects.

Songline Architects cc was founded out of the award winning architectural practice Groenewald Preller Architects established in 1990. The original founders, Trudi Groenewald and Deborah Preller merged with long time collaborator Cilna de Waal to establish Songline.

AWARDS

In August 2013 the practice was awarded the Best Hi-Tech Project Award and the Joint Best Project Award by the SA Institute of Steel Construction for the South African Large Telescope (SALT) building, Sutherland.

In 2014 Trudi Groenewald & Deborah Preller were jointly awarded the Mbokodo Women in the Arts – Architecture Award for 20 Years of Excellence.

In 2015 the De Clercq House in Newlands, Cape Town received a commendation in the Residential Category of the SAISC Steel Awards. Cilna de Waal was the designer.

  • TRUDI GROENEWALD

    BArch (UP), PrArch, MIArch, AAArb

    Trudi has an immense body of experience and work ranging from environmentally sensitive, heritage and highly technical projects. Her expert knowledge in many fields and fastidious detailing has resulted in the successful and beautiful execution of, among many others, complex facilities like SALT (South African Large Telescope) and the contextually sensitive Trace Gas Monitoring Lab for CSIR at the Cape Point Nature Reserve.

    Trudi has been very active in the professional body, being the first woman to be elected as President of the Cape Institute of Architects since its inception in 1899. She served on the national SAIA Board and was also the first Vice President of the South African Council for the Architectural Profession [SACAP].

    Trudi served as a member of the Planning Advisory Board of the Provincial Administration of the Western Cape, University of Cape Town’s Building Development Committee and the SABS National Building Regulations Appeal Board panel. She was a member of the SAPOA Western Cape Regional Committee and was an adjudicator for the Cape Times Centenary Awards for many years. She served as a regular member of the Heritage Western Cape Appeals Tribunal Panel.

    Trudi is a member of the Association of Arbitrators and acts as expert witness and adjudicator in construction disputes.

  • DEBORAH PRELLER

    BArch (UP), PrArch, MIArch, MIA Jamaica

    Debbie brings significant experience in numerous local community-driven multi-purpose facilities, clinics and crèches, schools and tertiary education facilities, refurbishments and commercial projects. Her humanist and pragmatic approach to architecture as a tool to serve people has resulted in the development of Songline’s grounded and responsive architectural language over the years.

    Debbie has been active in the professional body as the 3rd woman President of the Cape Institute for Architecture and served on SAIA’s national Management Committee. She was also a chairperson of the Society of Architects, Planners, Engineers and Surveyors [Western Cape]. She served on the Editorial Advisory Boards of the annual Digest of South African Architecture and other SAIA publications.

    Debbie has been an external examiner at various Universities and lectured part time. She has been an adjudicator on several architectural award juries, as well as national student competitions. She has served on numerous Validation Panels assessing tertiary institutions for the South African Council for the Architectural Profession [SACAP]. She also served as a member of the Heritage Western Cape Appeals Tribunal Panel.

  • CILNA DE WAAL

    BScArch, BArchHons, MArchProf (UP), PrArch, MBA (UCT)

    Cilna became the third member of Songline Architects cc after having worked for and collaborated with Groenewald Preller Architects cc on numerous projects throughout her career.

    She completed her masters in architecture in 2006 and started her career in Cape Town where she gained over 15 years experience specialising in both residential and educational projects across the greater Cape Town landscape. She also completed a Masters in Business Administration at the University of Cape Town Business School and used this as an opportunity to gain knowledge on the new development frontiers facing our world in the 21st century.

    As the newest member in the practice, Cilna brings a solution oriented mindset to develop and deliver relevant, contextual and responsive designs for the built environment. Her sensitive design ethos together with her spirited hands-on attitude is a rare combination of talents in the profession.

  • SAROJINI VYTHILINGAM

    PRACTICE MANAGER

    Sue has over 16 years experience with the practice and is responsible for all the administrative and financial aspects of the cc. Sue is well versed in the legal administrative requirements of construction contracts.

    She is a qualified Occupational Health and Safety Officer.

  • SUE & ULI WIEDERKEHR

    SENIOR ARCHITECTS

    Uli & Sue are possibly the most widely travelled senior architects in South Africa. They often work from remote locations during their travels.

    They have been core members of our team and have collaborated with us for over 30 years. They consistently delight us with their artistic flair and technical excellence.

  • ANDRIES MATHEE

    ARCHITECT

    Andries completed his Masters in Architecture at the University of Cape Town in 2020 and joined Songline shortly thereafter. He is one of the few Songline employees qualified as a musician. Andries is the friendly and original voice behind our Instagram feed and plays an integral role in the design and production of our projects.