YinTour 2025

Cape Town, June 2025 — Continuing a valued tradition established by Yinjispace, SAOTA recently hosted the two Yintour groups of 2025 in Cape Town—a highlight on the local design calendar. The week-long programmes featured presentations by SAOTA, ARRCC, and OKHA, tours of SAOTA-designed homes, and special dinners filled with networking and connecting.

Their tours began at SAOTA’s Cape Town studio, where the group was personally welcomed by SAOTA principal Stefan Antoni. After his introductory talk on The Spirit of Place and Space, the delegation embarked on a week of inspiration, insight, and cultural exchange.

In addition to the SAOTA-led programme, the group visited artists like Andile Dyalvane of Imiso Ceramics, the Zeitz MOCAA and Silo Hotel, and Babylonstoren. On a tour of Bosjes, the groups were welcomed by architect Tiaan Meyer, while artist Dylan Lewis personally guided them through his renowned sculpture garden.

Design and cultural exchange were central themes throughout the tour. During the dinners hosted at the home of SAOTA principal Greg Truen, the delegation shared their own projects with Stefan and Greg, reflecting on the resonance between their work and SAOTA’s design philosophy.

This initiative, organised in collaboration with Yinjispace, fostered meaningful dialogue, creative alignment, and new opportunities for collaboration—benefiting both visiting professionals and local enterprises.

SAOTA’s commitment to immersive experiences and cross-cultural dialogue continues to strengthen its connection to the Chinese design community. As SAOTA deepens its engagement across East Asia, programmes like Yintour remain vital in forging relationships that bridge people, places, and design values.

May tour photography by BIJISPACE, June tour photography by Paris Brummer