I'm Donette Werkman, a Professional Architect based in Pretoria and the founder of We Do House Plans.

For more than two decades, I've had the privilege of helping homeowners navigate everything from custom home design and renovations to plan formalisation and municipal approvals. While architecture is my profession, it's people that have always been my passion. Every house tells a story, and every set of plans begins with someone's dream.

This blog is where those stories come together.

Here, you'll find reflections on architecture, travel, design, and the lessons I've learnt from the buildings I've visited and the people I've met along the way. I'll also share practical advice to help homeowners better understand the often-complicated world of house plans, council approvals and creating homes that truly work for the families who live in them.

When I'm not working, you'll usually find me exploring remarkable architecture, tending to my garden, spending time with my family, or being enthusiastically supervised by my four dogs.

I'm glad you're here. I hope these stories inspire, inform, and perhaps even change the way you see the spaces around you.