ISSAC SHONGWE
Prize(s):
WINNER 2026 INTERIOR DESIGN / Other Interior Designs
Company Name:Clout/SA
Lead Designer(s) Name(s):Clout/SA creative director Tracy Lynch
Design Team / Other designer(s):Tuami Zulu, Proportion Design.
Interior Designer:Clout/SA creative director Tracy Lynch
Lighting Design:Proportion Interior design Studio.
Client Name: Taropark
Photo Credit:Greg Cox
Project Location:Boutique Conferencing Centre, The Pines, Johannesburg
Design Status:Completed
Project Description:
Create a flexible and inspiring conferencing space for leadership teams, government partners and commercial partners showcasing the best of South African creativity in the form of art, craft and design. The space needs to be reconfigured for different styles of meetings, the catering area needs to be accessible and be hidden away when needs be. Include pieces and elements that share SA heritage and partnerships with designers, artists and crafters. Unique materials to be showcased, beads, wool, cork and clay.
Create a flexible and inspiring conferencing space for leadership teams, government partners and commercial partners showcasing the best of South African creativity in the form of art, craft and design. The space needs to be reconfigured for different styles of meetings, the catering area needs to be accessible and be hidden away when needs be. Include pieces and elements that share SA heritage and partnerships with designers, artists and crafters. Unique materials to be showcased, beads, wool, cork and clay.
Project Sustainability Approach:
The interior design focuses on utilising lights, accessories and furniture all designed and made in SA. This minimises our carbon footprint and contributes to the local design economy. Cork panels by Wiid Design Studio create a layer of insulation and sound absorption, this material is a sustainable natural material contributing to the functioning of the space as well as adding a sculptural, aesthetic layer. The large stitched mural is an artwork by the Keiskamma embroiderers based in Hamburg in the Eastern Cape and shares the story of the village and its journey through Covid to today, the river, flora and fauna create the backdrop for the story. This project has a purpose driven intention to support local crafters, artists and designers, at Clout/SA we believe this is a crucial contribution to the preservation and promotion of heritage and culture in South Africa, interior design becomes a sustainable opportunity to invest in local creative economies driving interest and investment into the design sector.
The interior design focuses on utilising lights, accessories and furniture all designed and made in SA. This minimises our carbon footprint and contributes to the local design economy. Cork panels by Wiid Design Studio create a layer of insulation and sound absorption, this material is a sustainable natural material contributing to the functioning of the space as well as adding a sculptural, aesthetic layer. The large stitched mural is an artwork by the Keiskamma embroiderers based in Hamburg in the Eastern Cape and shares the story of the village and its journey through Covid to today, the river, flora and fauna create the backdrop for the story. This project has a purpose driven intention to support local crafters, artists and designers, at Clout/SA we believe this is a crucial contribution to the preservation and promotion of heritage and culture in South Africa, interior design becomes a sustainable opportunity to invest in local creative economies driving interest and investment into the design sector.
Local and Regional Impacts of the Project:
Clout/SA designs interior spaces that enable established and emerging creatives to share culturally rooted narratives through products like lighting, furniture, rugs, and art. Over 12 years, Clout/SA has evolved into a leading South African design platform, facilitating strong industry partnerships with both commercial and marketing impact. It understands the creative process and supports designers while navigating the complexities of working with local crafters and makers. The platform represents over 70 designer-makers and has sold more than 70,000 pieces globally. A decade-long mentorship programme supports emerging talent with business skills, fostering collaboration, sector growth, and the preservation of South African heritage and culture.
Clout/SA designs interior spaces that enable established and emerging creatives to share culturally rooted narratives through products like lighting, furniture, rugs, and art. Over 12 years, Clout/SA has evolved into a leading South African design platform, facilitating strong industry partnerships with both commercial and marketing impact. It understands the creative process and supports designers while navigating the complexities of working with local crafters and makers. The platform represents over 70 designer-makers and has sold more than 70,000 pieces globally. A decade-long mentorship programme supports emerging talent with business skills, fostering collaboration, sector growth, and the preservation of South African heritage and culture.
Company Name:Clout/SA
Lead Designer(s) Name(s):Clout/SA creative director Tracy Lynch
Profile Description:
We are passionate about South African design: its creativity, its craft, and its power to shape how the world sees us. Our vision is for the industry to emerge as a distinct global design brand that combines the country’s legacy of craft, heritage, and storytelling with contemporary making techniques. By supporting these values, we ensure that investment flows into local creative and maker communities.
We are passionate about South African design: its creativity, its craft, and its power to shape how the world sees us. Our vision is for the industry to emerge as a distinct global design brand that combines the country’s legacy of craft, heritage, and storytelling with contemporary making techniques. By supporting these values, we ensure that investment flows into local creative and maker communities.
Environmental Practices:
As a business curating South African design, we prioritise lighting and furniture from makers committed to sustainability and zero waste. We work with companies like Modern Gesture and Pedersen and Lennard, who repurpose offcuts, and Wiid Design, which uses sustainably grown cork. Designers such as Mash T celebrate traditional craft, while Ashanti Design upcycles textile waste into woven lighting. We champion ethical, small-scale South African makers focused on innovation, skills development, and excellence.
As a business curating South African design, we prioritise lighting and furniture from makers committed to sustainability and zero waste. We work with companies like Modern Gesture and Pedersen and Lennard, who repurpose offcuts, and Wiid Design, which uses sustainably grown cork. Designers such as Mash T celebrate traditional craft, while Ashanti Design upcycles textile waste into woven lighting. We champion ethical, small-scale South African makers focused on innovation, skills development, and excellence.
Previous Awards Won:
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