merylene chitharai

18yrs working with East Coast Architects & spending 5yrs working on Vele High School, presenting my paper on its climate-responsive & community-centred design at @sacapsa EDU Conference UCT CPT left me feeling grateful & inspired. Watch my presentation: youtu.be/EGa1IDlbBOo

A snippet from my contribution to the Young Professionals Forum: Redefining Architectural Practice Through Innovation & Technology at the SACAP Education Conference 2026. 🎙️ Watch the full Young Professionals Forum discussion on the Tough Talks YouTube. youtu.be/7VoeSGBO4xs

You can buy the technology. You can’t buy transformation. So what really drives digital adoption & what keeps smart firms stuck? 🎙️ Machiel Odendaal, Founder of Digital Reframe, unpacks it with Tough Talks host Merylene Chitharai. Full Podcast: youtu.be/ibe4SoaDHdY

Tough Talks Architectural Podcast - New Episode 🎙️ WHY SMART ARCHITECTURE FIRMS STILL FAIL: Beyond BIM, AI and Software Watch the full episode on the Tough Talks Podcast YouTube Channel. youtu.be/ibe4SoaDHdY

In celebration of Women’s Month, I had the privilege of attending Build To Belong, hosted by the South African Institute of Architects (SAIA) KwaZulu-Natal, sponsored by Corobrik. Here’s to women designing, leading and creating spaces where we all belong. @SAIAKZN

Attended InnovateX KZN at Coastlands Umhlanga Hotel, in association with Specilink & South African Institute of Architectural Technologists (SAIAT) - discovering the latest innovative building products & industry trends - exhibitor stands, insightful talks, lunch and networking.

Maybe AI isn’t killing architectural craft. Maybe we already did. When design becomes faster, automated & increasingly generated, AI forces us to confront a much harder question: What did we actually mean by “craft” in the first place? Watch Full Podcast: youtu.be/T8eTMq9H498?si=ni5F…

Is architectural education evolving fast enough? AI is reshaping architecture, but first-principles thinking and critical reasoning may matter more than ever. Watch our latest #ToughTalksPodcast conversation on youtube: youtu.be/T8eTMq9H498

What does it truly mean to be human? In the Anicinape tradition, being human is about living in relationship with one another with Mother Earth with Spirit, & with all of creation. Watch the full conversation: youtu.be/KveRlnPd16E @religions4peace @acrl_rfp @peacemakersnetw

Tough Talks Architectural Podcast The Death of Craft: Who Really Designs in the Age of AI? | EP02 AI is reshaping architecture but what does that mean for creativity, authorship, professional identity & the future of design? 🎥 Watch the full conversation: youtu.be/T8eTMq9H498

What if healing begins the moment we remember that we are not separate from nature? 🎙️ Healing the Deep River Within | From Pain to Peace Watch the full conversation on The Mindful Conversationalist: youtu.be/KveRlnPd16E @religions4peace @acrl_rfp @RfP_Youth @Religions4S

Only a few days left to register. We've invested in BIM. We've invested in software. We're investing in AI. So why are many architecture firms still struggling? Let's talk about it. 📅 2-4pm next, Tues 7/0/72026 Register: bit.ly/4eBIQnB

Tough Talks Architectural Podcast Why Smart Architecture Firms Still Fail: Beyond BIM, AI and Software. Technology has transformed architectural practice, yet many firms continue to struggle with profitability, efficiency, growth, & adaptation. Register: bit.ly/4eBIQnB

Finding My Way Home. Grandfather Dominique Rankin reflects on one of the most painful chapters in Indigenous history. This conversation is not about remaining trapped in pain,but about healing the deep river within. Watch here: youtu.be/KveRlnPd16E @acrl_rfp @religions4peace

My Latest Podcast is Out! Healing the Deep River Within. In this heartfelt conversation with Grandfather Dominique and Marie-Josée Rankin, we explore a remarkable journey of resilience, forgiveness, reconciliation & hope. @acrl_rfp @religions4peace youtu.be/KveRlnPd16E