‘Iou could say his designs are deceptively simple, but that would be missing the point. With his team, architect Darryl Croome creates fresh, timeless buildings appropriate to their context.Whether it’s a majestic high-rise overlooking the V&A Waterfront or a green office complex in Bryanston, the approach is the same: a strong collaboration between all involved, from the client or developer to the architect, interior designer and builder.

Arthur Quinton Darryl Croome Architects is a key player within the Aquacor Group, much like a one-stop shop where projects are conceived, designed and developed.

‘We have a strong office dynamic, and a synergy within our team in terms of our design thinking,’ Darryl explains. ‘We all have input at the initial stages in conceptualising a project, then the project team is given the necessary support and freedom to run with it. That’s our success story.We’re passionate about what we do, and once we have agreed on the design approach we can move very quickly from the drawing board. We know our game well – there’s been no shortcut to the experience. You could say we’ve earned our stripes!’

Darryl certainly knows his game. From the time he was in his final years at Wynberg Boys’ High School in the Cape, architecture was his dream. ‘I found it so alluring, as it quite simply involves building what you can imagine and draw. For me, it was a revelation to discover that once I’d designed a building, someone else would interpret it, develop and inhabit it. To this day, this dynamic process never fails to excite me.’

Darryl thrived at UCT: ‘I knew architecture was the right choice from the start. I loved the group interaction. In the architectural school on campus, the lights burned day and night. Even then, it was obvious that architecture is not a job – it’s very much a way of life.’
After he graduated, Darryl received a bursary from the City of Cape Town to design much-needed public facilities, community centres, clinics and an award-winning library. In 2001, he joined Arthur Quinton Architects. At the time, Arthur Quinton was concentrating on upmarket houses, residential complexes and developments, but he was looking to free up his time to develop the business, find suitable clients and put together deals. Darryl was hired to concentrate on design and production and manage projects.

‘My first project was a house for a couple in Silvertree Estate. Arthur had taken the design to a point, then asked me to take over and run with it,’ recalls Darryl.

Soon afterwards, the firm expanded to establish the Aquacor Group, with its five very distinct disciplines: property development, sales and marketing, architecture, interior design and construction. Initially, the focus was mainly on residential properties and developments, renovating large-scale homes and building new houses, but over time they took on the commercial market, too.

Eight years on, Darryl has a number of superb designs under his belt, including Metropolis, the building where the company’s head office is situated. This bold, modern complex comprises apartments and offices in Cape Town’s inner city and offers magnificent views over the V&A Waterfront.

Around the same time (2006), Aquacor also opened up shop in Jo’burg, in premises that they developed and built. The Karen Street office park, which is located on 1ha off Peter Place, was an Aquacor development. Both Metropolis and 4 Karen Street incorporate the essence of green principles in planning and design.

Another design that is close to his heart is Darryl’s own home in Hout Bay, which he shares with his wife Naomi and son Bradley. Located on the mountain in Baviaanskloof, the house has been designed to fit into its exquisite mountain setting by using natural materials, with special emphasis on timber, rock, steel and glass. ‘For us, it was important to create a home we would not grow tired of, would always suit our lifestyle, and was strongly contemporary and honest – ultimately timeless,’ Darryl says.

The placing of the house, Darryl explains, allows for a relaxed indoor/outdoor lifestyle. ‘With such wide-ranging views, the house is very open, with lots of glass capturing every opportunity. The unique mountain setting required that I employ tilted roof profiles to capture high level views.’ In his house, as in every project, Darryl’s design extended beyond the building. ‘I got very involved, running with materials and textures, right through to the landscaping. Obviously, it was our home, so it was much more personal to me. Naomi enjoys my drive and passion, so she was happy to let me loose, with a few conditions, including, “Keep within budget”!’

Darryl explains his design philosophy as ‘creating structures uniquely appropriate to their site and context, which surprise and exceed the client’s expectations. Bold, light architecture with fluid spaces that are easy to understand and enjoy. There’s a swing back to honest, raw, real materials and a very strong drive to go green, both in principal and detail.’

Looking to the future, Arthur Quinton Darryl Croome Architects have expanded their senior management team, with architects Diana Grobler, Prieur van der Merwe and Deon Morris in Cape Town and Gerrit Kemp in Jo’burg. They are project leaders who take over projects, much like Darryl did when he first joined eight years ago. ‘Each architect has particular skills; they are our key personnel, together with experienced technicians and support staff, ensuring that projects are well-managed. The company’s ethic is all about being passionate about what we do and a desire for excellence. We are very thorough in researching our design work and carrying it through into the detailing. Ultimately, we believe it shows in the built end product,’ Darryl says.

Despite the recession, Arthur Quinton Darryl Croome Architects has a prolific amount of work. ‘We’ve been very busy,’ Darryl says. ‘We have a number of projects both locally and beyond our borders, in different sectors, covering a broad range of architecture. A more recent trend is the opening of doors into Africa and experiencing the renaissance we have heard so much about.’

On the boardroom walls are pictures and illustrations of developments in various stages of progress, including a couple’s dream home in Llandudno, a retirement scheme in Hartenbos and a development in Shelley Point. There’s also an unusual picture showing one of their more ambitious projects – a hilltop restaurant and conference facility above Melkbos that is almost cave-like and offers breathtaking views of Robben Island. Further afield, there are mixed-development projects in Tanzania, Cameroon and Mozambique.

His current dream project? ‘Whatever is on the drawing board,’ says Darryl. ‘In this field, you’re always learning, trying something different.There’s no time to rest on your laurels. The next project is always more exciting than the last!’