Pierre grew up in the South African city of Cape Town, where he developed an interest in water sports such as wind-surfing and surfing. At 15 years of age, he took part in a transatlantic yacht race from Cape Town to Montevideo (Uruguay) with an adult crew. In the open sea, he experienced the natural energy that shapes the waves and it cemented his love of surfing.

During his teenage years, he couldn't find an academic field that matched the pull of the ocean until he spent an afternoon in an architecture studio. The experience of working with elements such as light, wind direction and other forces had an immediate impact and ignited a lifelong passion for architecture.

After studying architecture at the University of Cape Town - with practical working experience in Thailand and Hong Kong - Pierre moved to London in 1998, where he completed his Part III and professional qualification at London Metropolitan University.

He worked at Jamie Fobert Architects for five years, learning the balance of spaces and the careful consideration of materials, light and form. His practice was set up in 2007.

Pierre lives in north London with his Spanish partner and two children. Still passionate about surfing, he eagerly takes every opportunity to jump into the water whenever they travel to the Spanish Atlantic coast, north and south. He has also developed a strong appreciation for Spanish gastronomy. He loves salt dried tuna with a chilled glass of ‘manzanilla’ wine.