Who is Lionel Dick?

Meet the man at the helm of Trench Architecture, Lionel Dick. With over three decades in the industry, Lionel’s journey began with a National Diploma in Architectural Technology from Witwatersrand Technikon in 1995, followed by a B.Tech Facilities Management qualification from Pretoria Technikon in 2003. After refining his skills at several key companies in South Africa, Lionel established Trench Architecture in March 2022.

What sets Lionel apart in the industry and forms the core of Trench’s ethos? Firstly, it’s his belief in the importance of construction and detailing in architecture. It’s not just about creating a beautiful design; it’s about making sure that the design is structurally sound and meticulously detailed. Unlike in many traditional practices, as an architectural technologist, Lionel handles both the design and the drawing, ensuring a seamless transition from concept to completion.

Lionel has particular expertise in service stations and drive-throughs, having been involved in over 300 projects over the years, including for BP, Sasol, Engen, Total, Shell, and Exel. He has also designed and been part of the development team of drive-throughs including for KFC, Steers, Chicken Licken, and more. Although most of these are based on standard footprints, Lionel’s out-of-the-box thinking ensures unique and practical results.

Secondly, Lionel believes in the power of relationships – priding himself on his ability to build strong, lasting relationships. One of the projects where this was particularly evident was the Mozambique Minister of Agriculture’s home. Lionel recalls, “The minister and I started with official protocol and then quickly moved to a first-name basis. This experience illustrated the importance of a good ‘bedside manner’ in our field. It’s not just about the buildings; it’s about how we work with both our clients and the project team.”

Lionel is a firm believer that you’re only as good as your last job, which has guided us at Trench to deliver high-quality work consistently. Whether you have a specific project in mind or just want to learn more about what Trench Architecture does, we’d be more than happy to chat.