The DP experience

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DP is primarily a design and build focused studio with a critical appreciation for strategy and experience design in the hospitality, retail and workplace market. Business has increasingly looked to design to help differentiate its products, services and enhance customer and employee experience. The intersection of creativity and commerce is where we choose to focus our attention at DP, ensuring we think about the ‘why’, and not just the ‘what’ and ‘how’.

Over the past 20 years we have grown our business to over 50 people, spread across our offices in Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Sydney, with partnerships in Mauritius and the UK. We provide services in customer experience and brand design, interior design, project management and roll-out implementation, procurement, compliance as well as turn-key services.

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Leaders behind DP

Image of Adrian Morris.

Adrian Morris

Johannesburg
Image of Richard Laws.

Richard Laws

Johannesburg
Image of Yatish Narsi.

Yatish Narsi

Johannesburg
Image of Callie VD Merwe.

Callie VD Merwe

Sydney
Image of Carina Share.

Carina Share

Cape Town
04
Countries
50+
People
05
Offices
02
Level 2 BEE
25+
Years Old

Great design starts with a great process

Strategy

Tailored design process translating into design strategy:

  • Brief Development
  • Research & Benchmarking
  • Brand Articulation
  • Art Direction

Design

Architectural and Interior Design teams specializing in:

  • Design Concept and Development
  • In-store Signage & Branding
  • 3D Environments
  • Technical Implementation

Build

Implementation of design concept includes:

  • Project Management
  • Procurement & Export
  • Compliance
  • Turnkey Services

Our Awards

2022 RDDA Awards finalist
UKKO Nicolway
2022 RDDA Awards Finalist
Totalsports Menlyn
2019 RDDA Awards Finalist
Ribs & Burgers, The Marc
2018 RDDA Category Winner
Restaurant Design Nando’s Horizon View
2018 RDDA Category Winner
Relay Denim Concept Store Brammfontein
2017 RDDA Category Winner
Restaurant Design Old Town Italy Menlyn Maine
2017 yacht & Aviation Finalist
Best Airport Lounge Standard Bank OR Tambo International Library Lounge
2016/17 African Property Awards
Leisure Interior South Africa Nando’s Maponya Mall, Soweto
2015 RDDA Category Winner
Restaurant Design Nando’s Blue Hills
2015 Silver Loerie
Nando’s Mapoonya Mall
2013 RDDA Category Finalist
Restaurant Design Doppio Zero
2013 RDDA Category Finalist
Restaurant Design Piza e Vino Midrand
2012 RDDA Category Winner
Restaurant Design Tribeca Standard Lynnwood
2011 RDDA Media Awards

Our clients

What our clients say

"I just wanted to drop you a note to say thank you for the hard work, passion, and persistence through the coffee shop phase of the project. You have all been absolutely amazing and true to our brief, and to your word, that you would create a space that we could all be immensely proud of and that would live on the cover of any design magazine. You delivered that in spades. The feedback from staff has been amazing so far and it has already shifted the energy of our space, so thank you. On to the next phase!"

Brett

Group CEO - FCB Africa

"Norcros has had a long and fruitful relationship with Design Partnership. DP has consistently challenged our thinking on the development of our retail space in Tile Africa. Adrian and his team scan world trends, which they then interpret accurately for local markets and individual clients. The DP team have a genuine interest in what they do and this reflects in their commitment to our business. Our business-changing ‘CX’ stores are a testament to the success of the long-term partnership we have developed with them."

Thomas Willcocks

Managing Director - Norcros SA (Tile Africa)

"Pareto (Pty) Ltd appointed Design Partnership for the Turn-Key design and fit-out our new Head Office in Sandton City. Despite very tight timelines and a complex brief, they managed to deliver a world class design and final product that met all our expectations. Design Partnership delivered the project on time, within budget and with the highest standard of build quality. We received a superior level of service and attention from a highly skilled design and project team from inception, with every member of their team willing to to go the extra mile to meet out exacting standards. We have the pleasure of writing this letter of recommendation as values, skill and professionalism shown by the Design Partnership team is noteworthy and we wish them all the best with their future endeavours."

Charslayn Thonga — Pareto Ltd

"Design Partnership has always been forward-thinking in all the developments they have been involved with for the Group, with their "out of the box" approach they have pushed our Brands to think differently. As a testament to their high level of design work, DP were awarded the following RDDA awards held in 2018, runner up for Duesouth Sandton and overall winner in the Retail category for Relay Jeans Braamfontein. In conclusion, DP are a loyal and trusted supplier to TFG, and we have the highest regard for them as a key business partner."

Raymond Currie

Head of Store Design & Compliance - TFG

"We’ve been working with Design Partnership for several years, and we love how authentically they partner and collaborate with us. Most recently, we’ve worked with them on refreshing the in-store look and feel at Edgars, and we’re also currently working together on our new flagship stores, which we’re all incredibly excited about. The Design Partnership designers and architects take to heart what is needed, they are innovative and cutting edge and tapped into global trends, but at the same time know exactly how to resonate with the South African market. And for all that epic talent, they’re still incredibly humble to work with. Design Partnership is truly an extension of our own core design team."

Nicky Correia on behalf of Edgars

"Hi Adrian - I was going to give you a call but I believe you on holiday in Mauritius, Just wanted to let you know how pleased I am with Fourways and to congratulate you and your team. Hopefully it's a piece of work you are proud of. Thank you for your partnership and the incredibly hard work and support of you and your team. Much appreciated. Chat when you are back."

Mike Elliott

CEO - Edgars

"I just wanted to drop you a note to say thank you for the hard work, passion, and persistence through the coffee shop phase of the project. You have all been absolutely amazing and true to our brief, and to your word, that you would create a space that we could all be immensely proud of and that would live on the cover of any design magazine. You delivered that in spades. The feedback from staff has been amazing so far and it has already shifted the energy of our space, so thank you. On to the next phase!"

Brett

Group CEO - FCB Africa

"Norcros has had a long and fruitful relationship with Design Partnership. DP has consistently challenged our thinking on the development of our retail space in Tile Africa. Adrian and his team scan world trends, which they then interpret accurately for local markets and individual clients. The DP team have a genuine interest in what they do and this reflects in their commitment to our business. Our business-changing ‘CX’ stores are a testament to the success of the long-term partnership we have developed with them."

Thomas Willcocks

Managing Director - Norcros SA (Tile Africa)

"Pareto (Pty) Ltd appointed Design Partnership for the Turn-Key design and fit-out our new Head Office in Sandton City. Despite very tight timelines and a complex brief, they managed to deliver a world class design and final product that met all our expectations. Design Partnership delivered the project on time, within budget and with the highest standard of build quality. We received a superior level of service and attention from a highly skilled design and project team from inception, with every member of their team willing to to go the extra mile to meet out exacting standards. We have the pleasure of writing this letter of recommendation as values, skill and professionalism shown by the Design Partnership team is noteworthy and we wish them all the best with their future endeavours."

Chatslayn Thonga

"Design Partnership has always been forward-thinking in all the developments they have been involved with for the Group, with their "out of the box" approach they have pushed our Brands to think differently. As a testament to their high level of design work, DP were awarded the following RDDA awards held in 2018, runner up for Duesouth Sandton and overall winner in the Retail category for Relay Jeans Braamfontein. In conclusion, DP are a loyal and trusted supplier to TFG, and we have the highest regard for them as a key business partner."

Raymond Currie

Head of Store Design & Compliance - TFG

"We’ve been working with Design Partnership for several years, and we love how authentically they partner and collaborate with us. Most recently, we’ve worked with them on refreshing the in-store look and feel at Edgars, and we’re also currently working together on our new flagship stores, which we’re all incredibly excited about. The Design Partnership designers and architects take to heart what is needed, they are innovative and cutting edge and tapped into global trends, but at the same time know exactly how to resonate with the South African market. And for all that epic talent, they’re still incredibly humble to work with. Design Partnership is truly an extension of our own core design team."

Nicky Correia on behalf of Edgars

"Hi Adrian - I was going to give you a call but I believe you on holiday in Mauritius, Just wanted to let you know how pleased I am with Fourways and to congratulate you and your team. Hopefully it's a piece of work you are proud of. Thank you for your partnership and the incredibly hard work and support of you and your team. Much appreciated. Chat when you are back."

Mike Elliott

CEO - Edgars