Counterspace is inspired by its location, Johannesburg and is committed to developing design form and expression particularly for the continent – through design research, publishing, pedagogy, built things, buildings and other forms of architecture.

The studio occupies a space between the functional and the speculative; pedagogy and praxis; simultaneously describing cities and their histories and futures, and imagining them. An exploration into evolving methods of collaborative practice and research, it operates adjacent to the academy, with Sumayya leading Unit 12 at the Graduate School of Architecture, Johannesburg and collaborations on several research projects with the City.