Meet Verney Moyo | Architect. Artist & Writer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Verney Moyo and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Verney, let’s start by talking about what inspires you?
In short; curiosity. Often when we think of inspiration we picture it as an ephemeral, transient; and nebulous thing; a fickle companion at the best of times. In my own experiences it and curiosity walk hand-in-hand, they HAVE to in order for my process to work. I cannot be inspired if I am not curious. I need to be challenged by an idea; to search for my own answers and solutions to a given set problems. It’s a bit like alchemy; the unique result is both the draw and push that keeps me going. My best work has always grown from this understanding of inspiration; “how best can I create a form that interacts well with a given landscape?” “What are the small nuances I should be careful of?” “Who will get to experience my creations, and what am I trying to tell them?” I usually get cracking trying to answer questions and inspiration happens as I find my own, unique way; its something that grows from the doing rather than being something I have to find. This process holds true regardless of what medium I am working with; whether they be the bricks and mortar of a dwelling unit when I have my architect’s cap on, or words on a white page when I’m working with prose.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
The most unique aspect of my work has to be my attitude towards detail, and how I go about expressing it. In architecture this always boils down to tectonics and how I make seperate elements join/come together. In art I do my best to provide “a feast for the eyes” in a sense; ensuring that there is a flood of detail on a potrait at all scales; from the micro, to the macro. I find that colour often muddles this expression, and I am yet to learn how to incoporate without losing my particular style. This is why I often work in monochrome, and let the natural hues of the materials speak for themselves. I have won a few architecture competitions and awards in my short time within the field; namely the Rising Youth competition in Southern Africa, as well as a decent share of awards from the University of the Witwatersrand. The experience has taught me that time is everything when it comes to architecture; there’s no shortcuts or easy fixes, and if you want a splendid product you should duly dump a good deal of energy and sometimes months of gruelling work into it. In the end however, the results are always worth it.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I have always thought of South Africa as a hundred countries in one; there’s countless hidden gems out here if you know where to look. My get-away however would have a bit of naturalist tilt. Knysna would be pretty high on my list. I have a briding bone and would love to see the Knysna Lourie in its own habitat, (as well as a slew of other elusive forest birds), in person and for the first time. The Garden Route would be next, especially if we can catch it during the blooming season when the landscape is a roar of colour. Two to three days here would be perfect as we drive north towards Kwa-Zulu Natal, and the lush reserves that border the sea. There’s a chance to catch a glimpse of the big five here as we pass through the Umfolozi River Valley, but the premier Safari experience is still some ways north, past the southern border of the Kruger National Park. Sabi-Sand has been high on my wishlist for many years, and I’d love to go with someone close one day. We’d hang our feet at one of the private game lodges bordering the river that gives the area its name.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I have always had a wide-array of interests (sometimes to a fault), so first recognition should go to my very own mother who helped me narrow down where my efforts and energies would be best expended. It is never easy deciding on a career path when you’re so intrested in a dozen things. Maggie Moyo, I absolutely love you! She has been the navigator to my sometimes wondering ship. Second on this list is the great team I have worked with at hubo architects over the years; more importantly Asher Marcus whom I started the office with (as a founding employee) in 2017. Seeing our little suite grow over the years has been a blessing, and has invariably coloured my senses as a designer. To mentors I have never met; namely Robert Greene through the pages of his no. 1 New York bestseller “Mastery”, Robert Harris in his flare and style throughout the ‘Cicero’ Trilogy, and the Tolkein estate for daring me to dream up worlds of my own, I hope this shoutout somehow reaches them. They have shaped me in ways I can never fully describe.

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