We’re proud of who we are
Urban Habitat is an end-to-end architectural design, interior design and construction firm, based in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Our story
At Urban Habitat, we believe that environments influence success far more than people realise. To maximise the odds, humans need to operate in environments that are designed, built and ordered to empower and inspire them.
We’re invested in your personal
and professional success
Designers see the world differently. This makes our approach distinct and effective. We understand on a deeper level what your success can and may look like. That’s why we couple creative problem-solving and on-site service with a business grounded in best practice.
We also love turning vision into reality, and seeing a project through from concept to completion. Our seamless, end-to-end services give clients all the benefit of cohesive ideas and consistent execution.
The result: You enjoy the peace of mind that comes from knowing we treat your project like our own. Why? Because your success is our success.
The principal behind our promise
Meet the principal architect in the Urban Habitat studio.

JENSEN BJØRNSTAD
Founder & Director
Your good word is what we work for
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Jacques Bezuidenhout
Director, Smack Pizza Harvest Place
“Communication is key, and Urban Habitat’s communication skills are excellent. Add to that their friendliness and constant helpfulness – they make an extremely professional team. Their design is unique and innovative, their service is engaging, and they always put the project's best interests first.”
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Johan Sadie
Senior Electrical Engineer, IX Engineers
“Urban Habitat Architects are a young and dynamic group of people who ensure the project – and thus the client – is put first. What makes them stand out is their passion, their technical capability, their practical solutions, and their team. They’re a great company to work with!”
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Inayah Sultan
Director, Euphoria Restaurant
“It was a pleasure to work with Urban Habitat Architects. They were the second firm we went to for an interior design project, after the first one failed to deliver. Jensen and his team quickly understood our vision and made amazing suggestions to materialise it. I would recommend them to anyone looking for a modern, unique and vibrant design. Thank you!”
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Sebastian Schneider
Director, Motherland Coffee Company
“Urban Habitat are highly conceptual, creative solution finders who did their utmost to understand our requirements and what works in our spaces. Their designs are ethical, contextually relevant and marketable. I could see they were invested in our success.”
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Lubbe Kruger
Development Manager, Craft Homes
“The Urban Habitat team is always willing to assist, even if the timelines are short and the expectations high! I was really impressed with their quick turn-arounds – they’re easy to work with and friendly, and their hand sketches and relevant, marketable designs distinguish them from the competition.”
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Johan Smalberger
Private homeowner
“Urban Habitat’s passion for design really sets them apart from other architects. They give suggestions that, to a lay person, seem bold – but I have come to learn that their “bold” ideas come from years of experience in the industry, and an eye for the balance between aesthetically awesome and precisely practical. As a result, I’ve come to trust their advice to such an extent that I consult them on everything – from ideas about structural issues to electrical practicality – and even the colour of my couches!”
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Private homeowner
“I’d highly recommend Jensen and his team at Urban Habitat for their entire process – from putting together a strong and unique concept, all the way through to designing and building it into a practical space that you can call your Home. I am proud to live in it today, and will be for many years in the future. Well done!”
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Takudzwa Dodzo
COO, MSBR Consulting Engineers
“Urban Habitat are very good architects – technically strong, with excellent, practical and highly marketable design solutions. They delivered on the mandate, were on top of things throughout the project, and I had not a single complaint.”
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Gregory Sellers
Director, Alpas Construction
“My favourite aspect of working with Urban Habitat is their refreshing designs. They’re a young, friendly and dynamic team who design away from the normal. I especially appreciate their hand sketches.”
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Jan Jansen Van Vuuren
Development Manager, Craft Homes
“Urban Habitat is a young and energetic team with a great work ethic, and out-of-the-box designs! They were very fast and responsive on turnarounds, reliable and on top of things. Their passion and practical design solutions stand out.”
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Gershom Aitchison
Founder and headmaster, Education Incorporated
“For us, there was a meeting of the minds regarding the work that needed to be done and the journey that Urban Habitat is on, as a company. They are very easy to work with – approachable, ethical, and invested in our success. I feel we have an ally in the design and the business journey.”
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Savvas Themistocleous
Manging Director, Smack Holdings
“Urban Habitat has a high-level, holistic understanding of client requirements. What impressed me was their hand sketching – which allows for design and detail resolution – and their out-of-the-box thinking. I could see they prioritised the project’s best interests. They are also very methodical, engaging and reliable.”