Karlien Thomashoff qualified with distinction as an architect in 1992 at the University of Pretoria, South Africa. She is registered as a professional architect in 1998. Since 2005 she has been a director of three local companies: Thomashoff + partner Architects, Y+K Architects and WitOpWit - all based in Pretoria. She acts as design specialist in projects ranging in scale from product design to master planning, refurbishments, furniture design, retail interiors, fabric design, sports facilities and restoration. Karlien lectured part-time and frequently acts as external examiner to design studios at the University of Pretoria, the Tshwane University of Technology, Wits, and the University of the Free State. She has authored several articles in mainly trade publications on varied subjects such as historic preservation, technical innovation, and design critique.