How are individuals using their training in architecture to explore diverse career paths?
Guest:
Wandile Mthiyane, CEO at Ubuntu Design Group
Continuing our series we’re calling “Architecture, And”, this week we invited Wandile Mthiyane to share his story of designing a business that combines architecture and social impact. In Episode #015 we discuss social entrepreneurship through the case study of Ubuntu Design Group. Influenced by his childhood experiences growing up in post-apartheid South Africa, Wandile founded UDG on the core idea that if apartheid architecture could be used to segregate and oppress, then community-led design should liberate and enable opportunities for all. Learn more about the Ubuntu Summer Abroad Program for 2021 (which will be virtual); applications are due October 30th (https://www.ubuntuasa.org/).
Show Links:
Ubuntu Design Group, https://ubuntudesigngroup.org/
Ubuntu Summer Abroad Program, https://www.ubuntuasa.org/
Related Podcasts
https://tinyurl.com/youngarchitectWandileMthiyane
https://tinyurl.com/midnightcaretteWandileMthiyane
Related Articles
https://www.archdaily.com/947507/i-grew-up-where-architecture-was-designed-to-oppress-wandile-mthiyane-on-social-impact-and-learning-from-south-africa
https://archinect.com/features/article/150208185/undoing-apartheid-architecture-with-wandile-mthiyane
https://www.noma.net/news/the-architects-of-systemic-racism-south-african-wandile-mthiyane-tells-an-american-story-on-architizer/
![[225]Small Firm, Big Commitment: Rethinking How Architecture Invests in Diverse Talent](https://practiceofarchitece2ac4.zapwp.com/q:i/r:0/wp:1/w:1/u:https://practiceofarchitecture.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/PD-S12-EP225-Web.png)
![[224] The Architecture of Systems: Building a Self-Running Firm](https://practiceofarchitece2ac4.zapwp.com/q:i/r:0/wp:1/w:1/u:https://practiceofarchitecture.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/PD-S12-EP224-Web.png)
![[223] Architect, And: Joann Lui on Matcha, Marketing, and the Portfolio Career](https://practiceofarchitece2ac4.zapwp.com/q:i/r:0/wp:1/w:1/u:https://practiceofarchitecture.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/PD-S12-EP223-Web.png)
![[222] Telling Architecture’s Story Differently](https://practiceofarchitece2ac4.zapwp.com/q:i/r:0/wp:1/w:1/u:https://practiceofarchitecture.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/PD-S12-EP222-Web.png)
![[221] Reclaiming Value: Transforming the Business of Architecture with Tyler Suomala](https://practiceofarchitece2ac4.zapwp.com/q:i/r:0/wp:1/w:1/u:https://practiceofarchitecture.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/PD-S12-EP221-Web.png)
![[220] Next Generation Leadership: How the AIAS Presidents Are Building a More Human Profession](https://practiceofarchitece2ac4.zapwp.com/q:i/r:0/wp:1/w:1/u:https://practiceofarchitecture.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/PD-S11-EP220-Web.png)
![[219] 2025 AIA Gold Medal Award Medal Winner Deborah Berke](https://practiceofarchitece2ac4.zapwp.com/q:i/r:0/wp:1/w:1/u:https://practiceofarchitecture.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/PD-S11-EP219-Web.png)
![[218] A Founder’s View on AI and the Next Era of Architecture](https://practiceofarchitece2ac4.zapwp.com/q:i/r:0/wp:1/w:1/u:https://practiceofarchitecture.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/PD-S11-EP217-Web.png)
![[217] Designing the Future: How Etch Built a Practice That Embraces AI + Autonomy](https://practiceofarchitece2ac4.zapwp.com/q:i/r:0/wp:1/w:1/u:https://practiceofarchitecture.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/PD-S11-EP217-Web.png)
![[216] The Art of Drawing in the Digital Age with Mark Collins](https://practiceofarchitece2ac4.zapwp.com/q:i/r:0/wp:1/w:1/u:https://practiceofarchitecture.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/PD-S11-EP216-Web.png)