Page 18 - LandscapeSAIssue111

FEATURE

PROFILE ON

TIAAN LAKER

Tiaan Laker started
his studies at the
University of Pretoria
in 1995, when only 20 Club Development: Night view of the pocket park
students were allowed

for the degree of
landscape architecture
and ‘Tukkies’ was the

only university in
Africa offering this
course at the time.

Landscape architect Tiaan Laker

have always enjoyed designing, What was your reason/motivation
creating and building things. My for deciding to start your own
“I ther, then a soil scientist at Tukkies, company?
fa
introduced me to landscape architecture I was following my passion, creating
as he was assisting Professor Willem van and establishing my own practice
Riet on a project. At the university’s open and challenging myself. There were
day, the design and construction of the several interests I wanted to explore
Lost City was showcased. Afterwards, I and establish aside from just landscape
was taken to the landscape architects’ architecture. It was a difficult decision
studio on south campus where the final and most definitely very challenging to Loftus Park interactive water feature
year students were working on their start my own company during Covid.
projects, during their holiday. What was Perseverance is key!
clear was their passion and love for what What are the advantages and
they were doing. I was hooked and I’m What are the advantages and disadvantages of working for
so grateful to be able to do something I disadvantages of working for yourself?
really enjoy”, he says. someone else? Starting your own business and making
a success of it requires a lot of time and
After graduating, was your first I think it is important to note that the dedication. There are numerous aspects
position with Uys and White, advantages and disadvantages of being which will determine whether you will make
followed by joining Daniel Rebel employed and working for a company are a success of it; you need a vision and a goal
and then ‘going solo’ ? not as cut and dried as one thinks. There of what you are trying to accomplish. It takes
Yes, I started my professional career at Uys are certain perks when you are employed routine: get up in the morning, work hard at it
& White in 2000 and was very fortunate by a firm – it is a safe option. You know and repeat the next day. The more time you
to have Daniel Rebel and Neville White you can expect your salary at the end of invest in your business, the harder you work,
as my mentors early on. After a couple the month, you can take leave and still the better you become at it, and the luckier
of years, I relocated to Stellenbosch and get paid as part of your employment you get.
worked at Dennis Moss Partnership under contract. No overheads or office rent
the guidance of Riana Delport and Caren to worry about. Depending on the size Time management becomes crucial and
Speirs, broadening my knowledge and and reputation of the firm, and how well sourcing new work can be challenging.
gaining experience of Cape planting known the practice is, you are able to You need to be able to see opportunities
palettes and landscape architecture. work on various prestigious projects, big and identify new clients through the right
I returned to Uys & White as senior and small. networking approach.
landscape architect in 2004. Daniel started
his design practice in 2014, after which I Time and flexibility can be seen as a Managing the finances, marketing, sending
joined him and later became a director. drawback. Covid has however, presented out invoices, following up on payments are
It has been an exceptional journey and the opportunity for employees to work things you are not focused on when working
experience, being able to work on so many from home, which provides the advantage for someone, but it is crucial for your own
prestigious projects. of more flexible hours. company.

16 Landscape SA • Issue 111 2022