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Early Architects of South Africa
Introduction
Construction of Dictionary
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Background
Disclaimer
The Dictionary of Architects in South Africa was begun in 1984 by Gerhard-Mark van der Waal, Arie Kuijers and Joanna Walker under the auspices of the Human Sciences Research Council.
Dr Van Der Waal and Mr Kuijers had found in the course of their work that a number of architect's names kept recurring, about whom little was known. It was in the attempt to establish more knowledge about the people who designed the buildings that the idea of the dictionary grew.
With the help of a large number of people more information was gathered, as well as the names of a great many more architects.
On the advice of Doreen Greig, and a donation from Gordon Verhoef & Krause, the RIBA nomination papers and biographical files in the British Architectural Library, Portland Place, London were systematically scanned in 1985, providing what was probably the most important input of biographical data into the dictionary.
The then assistant at the Institute of South African Architects (Fay Foster) proceeded to put the Institute membership files into order, sorting out the quick from the dead. This was of considerable help and provided another important source of material.
South African architectural and building periodicals were widely used as were the theses of Drs Melanie Hillebrand, Rose Norwich, Professors Kearney, Radford, Harrop Allin, Yuill, and Roodt and the work of Karel Schoeman, Marilyn Martin, Clive Chipkin. A few of the many sources used providing further valuable material.
The publication Buildings of Cape Town and sources in Canada and Australia provided additional data, and the dictionary is particularly indebted to Robert Hill of Canada, editor of the biographical dictionary of Canadian architects.
There are many people who we would wish to acknowledge and thank, space will not allow the mention of all but no one is forgotten. We would like to thank Mrs Renee Scholtz for hours of data input and Mrs Corinne Curran for similar assistance.
No publisher would handle the proposed book and hope dwindled for making the information available to the public. Finally Mr Andrew Hall, then Regional Manager of the National Monuments Council in Kwa-Zulu Natal picked up the ball and ran with it. We would like to thank the committee in KwaZulu-Natal who encouraged the publication: Professor Wally Peters, Ms Margery Moberly, Professor Brian Kearney and Mr Andrew Hall.
Disclaimer
This database is a working draft and includes inaccuracies and omissions. SAHRA does not take any responsibility for the quality of data held in this database. SAHRA is not liable for any actions taken or not taken based on information held in or omitted from this database.
