CRAIG CANTER
Private architecture, purposefully composed.
01 about
Some practise architecture with visibility; Craig Canter works differently — he quietly shapes the private worlds of those for whom discretion is non-negotiable. Now London-based, Craig has spent two decades crafting contemporary residences and large-scale super homes defined by purity of form, elegant restraint, and a deep understanding of how people truly live.
After honing his craft at one of South Africa’s leading studios, he launched his own practice in 2005 at the age of 29. By 2009 he had completed his first major super home — a 2,500 sqm private residence that signalled a new voice in African luxury architecture: bold, serene, meticulously conceived. Word travelled fast. Within a few years, Craig was designing expansive, highly bespoke homes for influential business leaders, political figures, and presidents across the continent.
Many of these projects exceed 4,500 sqm, yet none trade scale for subtlety. Craig’s work is defined by long, quiet lines, monolithic forms, and light used with absolute intention. Clients trust him not only for his clarity of design, but for a level of confidentiality rare in the industry. Much of his work remains unseen by the public, experienced only by those who inhabit it.
By 2013 he had established a studio in Melrose Arch, Johannesburg’s premier urban enclave, and by 2017 had completed over 500 residential projects. As demand grew, Craig chose refinement over volume, focusing solely on commissions that allowed depth and full creative authorship.
A relocation to London later that year expanded his reach. While he continues to work internationally — particularly in Africa, where his name remains a discreet recommendation — he also leads a specialist London-based service refining and refurbishing prime properties for clients who require a trusted presence on the ground.
Today, Craig Canter operates at the intersection of global design culture and deeply personal residential architecture. His work aims not for spectacle, but for atmosphere — spaces that feel inevitable, composed, and quietly powerful.
02 portfolio Extracts
03 Services
Prime Central London Refurbishment
For select clients, I oversee the complete refurbishment of prime London properties — from first concept to final completion. Every stage is managed with precision and discretion, supported by a trusted circle of contractors known for their consistency and craft. The result is a controlled, seamless process and a finish that feels considered rather than constructed.
Availability: 2025 fully booked · Limited availability from Q2 2026 and Q1 2027
New Build Contemporary Residences
Each new build commission is approached as a singular undertaking — shaped quietly around the client, the site and the clarity of the idea. Through a disciplined, detail-driven process, I create contemporary homes defined by restraint, proportion and permanence. To protect the quality of the work, only a small number of new builds are accepted each year.
Availability: Maximum 4 commissions per year · 1 remaining for 2026 · 2 for 2027
International Reach
My international work spans South Africa and the wider African continent, in settings where contemporary architecture can be explored with freedom — places where landscape, climate and form converge to create spaces that feel both open and intimate.
I am available to undertake work anywhere in the world where the brief, site and ambition align.