Amira was also a United Nations Volunteer (UNV) in Maseru, Lesotho 1997-1998, as an architect with the Department of Public Works. She practiced as an architect in the Sudan and has participated in a number of projects in South Africa including a hostel upgrade and designs for social housing in Pretoria. Amira is a registered Professional Architect with the South African Council for the Architectural Profession (SACAP) and while her focus is academic and research-oriented, she still carries out small design jobs every now and then. Her design process is very influenced by her research on Open Building.
Amira ran a Housing Elective for the 4th years (Honours Programme) at the University of Pretoria for six years, She also managed the Honours programme for several years and helped conceptualise the programme. She also coordinated the second year of the master’s programme at the University of Johannesburg when she joined in April 2012, taking over this task from Melinda Silverman. With the support of Alex Opper (who conceptualised and led the 2-year programme between 2010 and 2012), Christo Vosloo, Finzi Saidi, Leon Krige and Suzette Grace – as well as others – this led to the full and unconditional accreditation of the programme in 2013, by the South African Council for the Architectural Profession (SACAP) and the Commonwealth Association of Architects (CCA).
Amira was one of the conference conveners for the World Congress on Housing in 2005 at the University of Pretoria and the convenor of the Sustainable Human(e) Settlements: the urban challenge, 2012, hosted by FADA, University of Johannesburg and its partners. She also served as UIA 2014 Durban General Reporter for the International Union of Architects (UIA) and the South African Institute of Architects (SAIA).