HOWIE, W Duncan

Architect

Started studies 1930 at Wits, worked for HANSON, TOMKIN & FINKELSTEIN in 1934 (his 4th year of study) where he prepared drawings for the Brookstone pool, and worked on College Mansions (1934) and Hotpoint House, especially the detailing. Graduated in March 1936 with the Degree of Bachelor of Architecture - with distinction. Appointed Junior Lecturer at Witwatersrand University School of Architecture in 1936. He was a member of STUDIO SEVEN, a group of lecturers who had an office on campus for commercial projects. He also taught part-time at Pretoria School of Architecture. At Wits he moved up through the ranks, to Lecturer, Senior Lecturer, Associate Professor, and – after the retirement of John FASSLER – he was promoted to full Professor and Head of the School.

In his book (Herbert 1975, p.136) HERBERT described HOWIE as "gifted with the power of clear-sighted analysis of planning problems... [with] an outstanding competence in the field of construction and materials. This great technical ability and understanding was displayed in brilliant drawings of virtuoso draughtsmanship."

Howie was active in the Institute of Architects, and served as the Editor of its official journal, the South African Architectural Record, for many years.

[HERBERT, culled from his book (Herbert 1975)]

As a student HOWIE was a member of the Alpha Club.

See also the University of the Witwatersrand, Faculty of Architecture, Graduation photograph.

All truncated references not fully cited in 'References' are those of Joanna Walker's original text and cited in full in the 'Bibliography' entry of the Lexicon.

List of projects

With photographs
With notes

University of the Witwatersrand, The Wolf and Hirsch Hillman Engineering Building: 1936. Johannesburg, Gauteng - Architect

Books citing HOWIE

Chipkin, Clive M. 1993. Johannesburg Style - Architecture & Society 1880s - 1960s. Cape Town: David Phillip. pp 178, 188-191

Chipkin, Clive M. 2008. Johannesburg Transition - Architecture & Society 1950 - 2000. Johannesburg: STE Publishers. pp 116, 330

Fisher, RC, Le Roux, SW. 1998. Architecture of the Transvaal. Pretoria: UNISA. pp 241, 242, 285

Greig, Doreen. 1971. A Guide to Architecture in South Africa. Cape Town: Howard Timmins. pp 153, 157

Herbert, Gilbert. 1975. Martienssen & the international style: The modern movement in South African architecture. Cape Town - Rotterdam: AA Balkema. pp 67, 81, 83, 94, 108, 136, 137, 143, 148, 164, 169, 172, 174, 177, 183, 184, 186, 187, 197, 217, 225, 229, 231, 233, 234, 235, 243, 245, 248

ISAA. 1959. The Yearbook of the Institute of South African Architects and Chapter of SA Quantity Surveyors 1958-1959 : Die Jaarboek van die Instituut van Suid-Afrikaanse Argitekte en Tak van Suid-Afrikaanse Bourekenaars 1958-1959. Johannesburg: ISAA. pp 92, 186

ISAA. 1969. The Yearbook of the Institute of South African Architects and Chapter of SA Quantity Surveyors 1968-1969 : Die Jaarboek van die Instituut van Suid-Afrikaanse Argitekte en Tak van Suid-Afrikaanse Bourekenaars 1968-1969. Johannesburg: ISAA. pp 94, 120

Entries in books by HOWIE

Howie, WD. Leith, George Esselmont Gordon. In Dictionary of South African Biography Volume III. 1977. Tafelberg for The Human Sciences Research Council

Howie, WD. Spicer, Harold Wolseley. In Dictionary of South African Biography Volume III. 1977. Tafelberg for The Human Sciences Research Council