Designing the Future: Keith Makombora
Keith Makombora, a designer at Klein Concepts, has spent the past three years crafting luxury retail spaces for international brands across South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa. With a sharp eye for detail and a passion for innovation, he has mastered SketchUp as a key tool in transforming creative concepts into reality. In this blog, Keith shares his journey, insights, and the role SketchUp has played in shaping his approach to architectural design.
How did you first hear about SketchUp, and what inspired you to start using it?
I first heard about SketchUp during my studies at the University of Johannesburg, where I completed my undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. However, I only started actively using SketchUp for architectural design when I joined Klein Concepts. Klein Concepts handles a variety of international luxury retail brands in South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa. These brands use SketchUp as one of their preferred design applications, which inspired me to learn more about the software and work on enhancing my SketchUp Skills.
Was it easy for you to learn SketchUp, and are there any tips you would share with beginners?
SketchUp is straightforward to learn. The learning curve is not as steep as with other programs, and within a few months of using it, I produced precise models that clearly conveyed my design intent.
For beginners, my biggest tip is to become proficient in using components. Components help organise models and make it easy to modify individual elements later in the design process. They allow you to build a model the same way it would be constructed in real life, saving time and effort when creating technical documentation. Components also make reworking parts of a model straightforward, which is invaluable for iterations and refinements.
What are your favourite features or tools in SketchUp, and how do you use them in your projects?
My favourite feature in SketchUp is the Tags. I enjoy organising my models and components into Tags, which I can toggle on and off during modelling. This is especially helpful for heavily detailed design projects with numerous components, as it allows me to focus on specific parts of the model without distractions.
The Hide Rest of Model feature complements Tags perfectly. It hides everything except the component you’re working on, making it easier to focus on specific elements without the clutter of surrounding components. Together, these tools streamline the modelling process and enhance efficiency.
How has SketchUp helped you in your design journey, both in terms of creativity and efficiency?
Creativity often involves exploring different ideas and configurations before settling on the final design. SketchUp Studio enables me to experiment freely and make fast changes, which is critical when refining concepts.
SketchUp’s efficiency has been a game-changer, particularly during client presentations. There have been instances where I’ve made real-time changes to designs based on client feedback during meetings. This flexibility allows me to respond quickly to feedback without compromising the creative process.
Can you share an example of a project where SketchUp was particularly impactful?
One of my most notable projects was Avenue 2A at Hyde Park Corner, Johannesburg. This project heavily relied on SketchUp from the initial conceptual phase to the final renders. Using V-Ray for SketchUp, we created photorealistic visuals that closely matched the completed store.
The store, with its 530-square-meter footprint, was completed in just over 12 months. Around 80–90% of the final design mirrored what we had created in SketchUp. By using precise site survey measurements as a base model, I was able to design everything to scale, ensuring a seamless fit for all elements. When it came time for technical documentation, the model served as an accurate reference for measurements and dimensions, saving time and effort.
Images Courtesy of Klein Concepts
Are there any plugins or extensions you would recommend to other students?
I highly recommend V-Ray for SketchUp. It’s an excellent tool for producing photorealistic renders, which are essential for presentations. V-Ray includes a robust library of materials, models, and rendering assets, making it easier to create polished and professional visuals.
What would you say to students who are considering learning SketchUp?
SketchUp is a fantastic tool to add to your skill set. Many companies and clients I’ve worked with prefer SketchUp as their primary design tool because of its ability to communicate design intent clearly and efficiently. It’s a relevant, versatile application that can open doors to exciting opportunities in the design industry.
How do you see SketchUp fitting into your future as an architecture professional?
I see SketchUp as an integral part of my professional career. Its efficiency, clarity, and ease of use make it an invaluable tool for architectural design. From my experience, many architectural design firms are adopting SketchUp as a preferred tool, which further solidifies its importance in the built environment.
Keith Makombora continues to push the boundaries of design, creating spaces that captivate and inspire.
Keith Makombora is a Designer at Klein Concepts Architecture and Interior
