I consider myself lucky to come from a long line of architects both on my maternal and paternal sides of our  family. After graduating from the University of Cape Town (1986-1991) I spent 10 years working and travelling broadening my architectural and personal experience. I worked in Sydney, Australia, as a builder's laborer, and for  Ed Lippman, a staunch modernist. Hong Kong, exotic, working as a project manager for the designer of the Royal Hong Kong Football Club and the American Outward Bound School. Koh Samui Island, Thailand, painting, and in collaboration, a garden and building survey of an hotel, and the design of  a new 6 bedroom extension. New York City where I was lucky to find Trumbull Architects. Here my interest and desire to work in residential architecture was cemented. I was introduced to the American architectural vernacular, the arts and crafts  movement - Baillie Scott, Edwin Lutyens, Charles Voysey, Bernard Maybeck and others. I returned to Cape Town, set up working  for myself for 3 years, and with SAOTA for a year, a contemporary ‘current’ practice.

My father asked me to join his practice Philip Watermeyer and Mason Architects in my hometown, Johannesburg. Here I learnt a whole lot more. My Dad was a very good architect. His homes were thoughtful, simple, finely crafted, well sited, and beautiful. It was during this time I had the opportunity to design, in collaboration, a new  house for a well known sporting personality in a rural, remote corner of  South Africa.

This project gave me the break and impetus ‘to go on my own’. I opened Rowland Watermeyer Architect, which I ran for 10 years. My goal was to design for my clients, custom homes, ‘as best as I possibly could’. My practice was very small, mostly one assistant and myself. I wanted to create homes that tripped the plan and idea into an art form, as well as checking all the boxes. I  tried to give my clients an exceptional service, often received repeat work, and  many of whom who became friends.

Winning Diversity Visas to the US in a Green Card Lottery, my wife and I entered almost 8 years ago, caught us by surprise. We decided to move to the US  with our 2 year old daughter. I closed my practice, and arrived in New York City at the end of February 2015.

I am currently employed at Hatheway Architects in Brooklyn, NY, where I have been for the last 2 years.

I live in Harlem, am a keen painter, reader, movie watcher and bicycle companion to my daughter exploring New York City.