Palesa Shabalala

Master of Architecture graduate with distinction from Pratt Institute’s School of Architecture and recipient of the Sidney Katz Award for Design Excellence.

Experienced in civic, cultural, commercial, and residential architecture and interiors, with a design approach rooted in spatial storytelling, ecological responsiveness, and context-driven design.

Education

Master of Architecture
Pratt Institute, Pratt School of Architecture
Master of Architecture Graduate Scholarship
Sidney Katz Award for Design Excellence
2023 - 2026

Bachelor of Architectural Honours
University of Cape Town
2023

Property Development & Investment
University of Cape Town
Online Short Course
2020

Bachelor of Architectural Studies
University of Cape Town
Bachelor of Architectural Studies Entrance Scholarship
2016 - 2019

Work Experience

Pratt Institute, School of Architecture
GALAUD Office Graduate Assistant
2025

Adjaye Associates
Summer Apprentice
2025

Inhouse Design Studio
Junior Architectural Designer
2020 - 2022

City Architects, eThekwini Municipality
Architectural Intern
2020

Featured Work

2025
Pratt GALAUD Instagram
ARCH 703, Urban Qualities & Materials

2025
Pratt School of Architecture Instagram
ARCH 703, Urban Qualities & Materials

2025
RE:AL Estates Exhibition
FXCollaborative

2025
Pratt School of Architecture Instagram
ARCH 704, Integrated Studio

Work Sample

Breathing Stone
Exterior Render
Academic Work, Pratt Institute
M.Arch Design V, 2025

Breathing Stone
Diagram of Conditions
Academic Work, Pratt Institute
M.Arch Design V, 2025

Breathing Stone
Urban Sampling Hybrid
Academic Work, Pratt Institute
M.Arch Design V, 2025

Breathing Stone
Residential Floor Plan
Academic Work, Pratt Institute
M.Arch Design V, 2025

Earthworks Engine
Exterior Render
Academic Work, Pratt Institute
M.Arch Design IV, 2025

Earthworks Engine
Chunk Render
Academic Work, Pratt Institute
M.Arch Design IV, 2025

Flowing Habitats
Chunk Render
Academic Work, Pratt Institute
M.Arch Design III, 2024

Flowing Habitats
Ground Floor Plan
Academic Work, Pratt Institute
M.Arch Design III, 2024

Flowing Habitats
Elevation
Academic Work, Pratt Institute
M.Arch Design III, 2024

Agricultural School
Ground Floor Plan
Academic Work, Pratt Institute
M.Arch Design II, 2024

Agricultural School
Section & Elevation Drawing
Academic Work, Pratt Institute
M.Arch Design II, 2024

Agricultural School
Exterior Render
Academic Work, Pratt Institute
M.Arch Design II, 2024

Living Organism
Ground Floor Plan & Water Flow Diagram
Academic Work, Pratt Institute
M.Arch Design I, 2023

Living Organism
Section
Academic Work, Pratt Institute
M.Arch Design I, 2023

Iron Works
Bedroom Photograph
Professional Work, Interior Renovation
Freelance Work, 2022

Iron Works
Living Room Furniture Photograph
Professional Work, Interior Renovation
Freelance Work, 2022

Iron Works
Living Room Photograph
Professional Work, Interior Renovation
Freelance Work, 2022

Aquatic Arcadia
Section Drawing
Academic Work, Pratt Institute
M.Arch Advanced Modeling & Drawing II, 2024

Aquatic Arcadia
Floor Plan
Academic Work, Pratt Institute
M.Arch Advanced Modeling & Drawing II, 2024

Aquatic Arcadia
Chunk Render
Academic Work, Pratt Institute
M.Arch Advanced Modeling & Drawing II, 2024

Earth Material Tests
Prototype Photograph
Academic Work, Pratt Institute
M.Arch What Is Design, 2025

Archive of The Erased
Elevation Drawing
Academic Work, Pratt Institute
M.Arch Design VI, 2026

Archive of The Erased
Exterior Render
Academic Work, Pratt Institute
M.Arch Design VI, 2026

Archive of The Erased
Interior Render
Academic Work, Pratt Institute
M.Arch Design VI, 2026

Archive of The Erased
Section Drawing
Academic Work, Pratt Institute
M.Arch Design VI, 2026

Palesa Shabalala