Client Testimonials
We are extremely proud of our achievements and strive to maintain the highest quality of work at all times. Our portfolio contains a number of past and present projects, providing an overview of what we can offer you as the client.
Below are some testimonials of satisfied clients, further confirming our commitment.
It has now been one year since we moved into our dream house and the dream is still going strong. We are enjoying the space and the open living areas you created. Our first Christmas with the family staying over for a week was very special. We are looking forward to many more good times with family, friends and our baby girl (due in June).
We would like to thank you for the difference you made in our lives for a relatively long time. When Jeanne and I got engaged we decided to start looking for our dream house where we could one day raise our kids and hopefully grow old together. It was a tough job to find such a house. We already had a good idea of what we wanted. None of the houses were perfect and there was always something missing. When we found the plot in Graanendal and sold our house a week later we needed to move fast. The year ahead would be hectic. I was doing a 8 month course, things were hectic at work for both of us, we needed to plan the wedding, we would be overseas for a month on honeymoon and on top of that we now also needed to find a place to stay, design a house, choose all the finishes and also build the house in the same year!
The service we experienced from you was exceptional. We used your full architectural service option. I will never advise anyone to build without having this option. The peace of mind is priceless. We also saved a lot due to the fact that we had your constant input, you managed weekly site meetings and you sorted out most problems experienced during the building process before we even knew about them. As you know, I have referred you and Jaques to my friends at work and you were both used in their building project. I will gladly refer you to any potential client.
All aspects of the service we received were of an outstanding nature. We did not have any problems – everyone said that building a house is an unpleasant experience, however we had a great experience. We enjoyed building our dream home with Ian and Jaques. Designing a house and then building it requires a lot of time and effort. Ian accommodated our busy schedules by seeing us every Wednesday (for the design phase until the tender phase) at 16:00 and sometimes staying until 21:00 to ensure that everything gets done as soon as we could. Not many professionals would do this at no additional charge! I will gladly recommend Ian’s full architectural service to any potential client. The value you get is more than a list of additional plans and services. You get peace of mind. When you build a house it is a big investment and you need to be sure that you have the right people doing the right job to ensure that you get the best return.
Maruis De Wet
House Lambrecht - Atlantic Beach Estate
I firmly believe that every great partnership is based on trust and from the first meeting with Ian Smit, there was a complete sense of trust and that my project is in the best hands.
I gave him ideas and my version of a sketch, and he took that and designed the most amazing kitchen for me. His knowledge of the industry as a whole is un-real and I never had to worry about anything not happening or that my best interest is not been looked after. He kept everyone on schedule, so my kitchen was completed in the allocated time, something you do not often find with renovations.
Ian will go above and beyond what is seen as the 'norm' and I will recommend him to anyone that wants to renovate or build new. He also partners with other great suppliers, so you can rest assured that your whole projects is looked after.
It has been a pleasure dealing with Ian Smit.
Annande Lambrechts
As ‘first-time’ home owners, planning and building our first home was a daunting task. We needed someone who could guide us from beginning to end. We were referred to Ian by a work colleague who was also building his house at the time.
We faced numerous challenges along the way, like with our plot layout which was very narrow, staying within the predefined estate building-and-design guidelines as well as adhering to new legislation and regulatory constraints. Ian’s experience and knowledge served us well and we ended up with a design that addressed all of our wishes, exceeded our expectations and still managed to fit within our budget.
Smart Solution Architecture assisted in all aspects of the process, from drawing up initial sketches to highly detailed plans as well as the preparation of all the necessary documents for municipal and bank approval right through to the final building process with the finest precision. Ian’s exceptional organizational skills ensured that no time was wasted in either of these processes and that a strict timeline was followed by all involved parties.
Smart Solutions Architecture was always professional, creative and innovative with a wealth of experience in their field. Ian’s attention to detail will provide us with a home we can be proud of – a quality end result.
Dealing with Smart Solutions Architecture was a pleasure from start to finish and we are delighted with our new home. We will highly recommend Ian’s services to anyone.
Anthon & Marna Meyer
Kelderhof Estate, Somerset West
J Barnard Construction has successfully completed several building projects with Smart Solution Architecture. J Barnard always recommends Smart Solution Architecture to anyone that would like to have municipal building plans prepared professionally and correct, because we know that Smart Solution Architecture also provides cost effective and appropriate solutions in a professional manner within the client budget and that meets all or most of their needs. Ian Smit always provides an efficient architectural service.
Jacques Barnard
Durbanville
Huis Conradie – Northern Suburbs/Cape Town
"Ons het Ian Smit ongeveer 6 jaar gelede genader om ons te help om ou huis wat ons gekoop het te help retoureer en moderniseer. Aangesien hy ons gehelp het by ons vorige huis met die ontwerp en aanbou van braaivertrek en tuin was hy ons 1ste en enigste keuse om weer hier te help met projek wat van heel ander aard was aangesien die huis in geheel restoureer en moderniseer moes word.
Vanaf dag 1 was dit weer net opnuut 'n plesier om te kon deel in sy passie, uitstekende voorstelle en kennis wat ons volle gerustelling gegee het dat ons in die beste hande was. Terugvoer was altyd betyds en baie professioneel en planne op tyd en sonder probleem goedgekeur.
Nie net was sy ontwerpe en idees baie waardevol en van hoogstaande gehalte nie maar ook die mate waarin hy die volle projek vir ons bestuur het op daaglikse basis in oorleg met bouers met wie hy kontrakte gesluit en op hulle tone gehou het. Hy weet waar is die beste verskaffers van materiaal teen die beste pryse en ook waar om geld te bespaar met subkontrakteurs wat kleiner take moet verrig. Dit het soveel "stress" van ons geneem en kon ons net daagliks die vordering dophou en terugvoer was gereeld gegee waarop geld spandeer word binne die toegelate begroting.
Die volle projek het 5 maande geduur en was dit 'n ongelooflike ervaring saam met Ian te danke aan sy passie asof dit sy eie huis is, sy ongelooflike kennis van die nuutste tegnieke en sy professionele diens te alle tye.
Enige probleme wat tydens die projek ontstaan het is spoedig aangespreek en opgelos te danke aan sy betrokkenheid en toesig en het hy ons baie geld gespaar op verskeie terreine.
Ons het daarna vir Ian al aan paar vriende en kennisse aanbeveel wat almal daarna vir ons dankie gese het want hulle ervaring was dieselfde en sal ook soos ons nooit in die toekoms iemand anders gebruik nie. Maak nie saak waar ons in S.A. bly nie, sal ek nooit iemand anders gebruik om my by te staan vir projekte nie.
Ek en Marlene geniet nog op gereelde basis komplimente vir mense wat verby ons huis ry of stap en nie kan glo wat hy met die huis kon regkry nie en kan ons hom net bedank daarvoor! Te danke aan sy voorstelle wat 100% ons behoeftes aangespreek het bly ons baie lekker en geniet dit elke dag met trots en dankbaarheid!”
Lood en Marlene Conradie
House Cloete - Northern Suburbs
In August 2011 I bought a house that was build early in the 1980’s in Eversdale. The place did not have much going for it apart from its location. Before I concluded the agreement of sale I got Ian to perform two site inspections in order to advise me on the potential and possibilities that the property held.
Over the next two year period we did extensive renovations in different phases. Ian spent many hours, sometimes until late at night, to discuss options and come up with various creative solutions to the problems that were identified as the project progressed.
Apart from creating a master plan, municipal drawings and various detailed construction drawings throughout the lifespan of the project, Ian also effectively acted as Project Manager / Contract Administrator to ensure strict quality control in the construction process. His extensive knowledge and experience resulted in various savings and proved his ability to strike a balance between client demands, construction methods and market related costs.
My wife and I will also be indebted to Ian for transforming our house into a home that we can be proud of.
Gerhard & Karen Cloete
We were planning to build a new house. The plans were already finalised and we had already obtained the necessary quotes. We obtained the services of Smart Solution Architecture as principal agent and to do construction administration based on the recommendation of the contractor. Ian Smit from Smart Solution Architecture recommended that we make use of the JBCC building contract. The building program was 7 months and with the help and service from Smart Solution Architecture the project was completed on time and within budget.
We were very satisfied with the professional services Ian provided and the way he conducted himself on site. Ian added value to our project and we will recommend him in the future.
Andy and Lorraine Pedersen