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MenuHomeUpfront Now Up Books Towns Structures People Firms Lexicon | HOLMES, MarcusBorn: 1952 05 14Died: 2022 11 09 Architect | |||
BArch 1977 (Witwatersrand) Born in Oxford. A mathematician and boat-builder from the earliest days. Destined to become an engineer; took fright and studied architecture at the University of the Witwatersrand instead. Happiest while physically involved in construction - the role of the master builder-architect most necessary for the making of fine buildings and from which most architects are excluded. Fascinated by the challenges of and the lessons to be learnt from restoration. Then in practice (formally) for five years, with Mira FASSLER-KAMSTRA, Both preoccupied in search for a timeless architecture which transcends the fashion of the day while being firmly rooted to its context of both time and space. (UIA Issue 8, 1985) Obituary Marcus Holmes principal partner of the architectural practice, Fassler Kamstra + Holmes Architects passed away on 9th November 2022 in Linksfield Hospital after a short illness. Marcus was born in Oxford England but came to South Africa with his parents in the 1950s. He was educated at St Andrews School in Grahamstown where he obtained a First Class Matric in 1969. He originally thought he would study engineering but instead earned a B Arch degree at Wits in 1977. Marcus will be best remembered for his work within the realm of conservation architecture where he brought together a range of skills; deep knowledge of the making of buildings, a passion for the building heritage of Johannesburg and fastidious attention to detail. Shortly after graduating, he joined the practice of Mira Fassler Kamstra to create the firm of Fassler Kamstra & Holmes. This was changed after Mira left the practice to Fassler Kamstra + Holmes. The partnership undertook restoration work on heritage homes and major public and commercial buildings. The practice list of projects is lengthy and included the following conservation architecture projects: Blackroofs, Dolobran, the Customs House, the Rissik Street Post Office, The Pines, Johannesburg Art Gallery, Johannesburg City Hall, Johannesburg Library, Casa Bedo, Case Dobe, Prynnsberg Manor, Darjeeling House, Piccadilly Mansions, Oxford Manor, Chancellor House, Ravenscraig, Lauriston Court amongst others. Sadly, many were not completed. Marcus counted the conversion of the Johannesburg City Hall into the Gauteng Legislature (1994), a vast project completed with Mira in record time as one of his proudest achievements. His exploration of the complexities of the project which arose from the drawings of John Fassler from the 1960's resulted in the commission to convert the moth-balled building into A-Grade office space for the Gauteng Legislature. Marcus was immensely knowledgeable about Herbert Baker and in his approach to restoration. As the authority on the works of Herbert Baker and with Mira Fassler Kamstra, they worked on the restoration of the following Johannesburg Baker homes – Blackroofs, Kleine Schuur, Northwards, the rectory of St George's Church in Parktown, St Margarets, Villa Arcadia, Bishopskop, Stone House, Dysart House, Glenshiel and the Pallinghurst Stables. Marcus said he was happiest while physically involved in construction, taking on the role of "the master builder – architect" which he saw as most necessary for the making of fine building. He said that most architects were excluded from that opportunity. His approach to heritage restoration was often to adopt a seamless transition between old and new and to make the new retain a faithful respect of the original; not for him the distinctive juxtaposing of the modern contrasting additions. Marcus had been working on his own major project in Forest Town, as he had bought House Cohen designed by Pancho Guedes on New Forest Road. He admired Pancho as a master architect and worked hard to strip back the house back to the original design, with a view to respectful reconstruction. Marcus contributed much to the profession. In his early days was a member of the Transvaal Institute of Architects Education Action Group and the TIA Heritage Committee. He was a Trustee of the Friends of the Johannesburg Art Gallery from 1989 to 2013. Most recently he was part of the initial committee formed to shape the Herbert Prins Colosseum Award in its re-launch as a Gauteng Institute of Architect's Award. Marcus was extremely knowledgeable in Professional Practice and Contract Law and a member of the Association of Arbitrators. He was happy to give advice and share experience with his colleagues and younger practitioners. He was extremely talented, had an incredibly agile and creative mind and was a master of conceptualising unusual possibilities in heritage projects. His capacity for work was prodigious. He was involved at one time in a furniture business and recently had designed and was manufacturing a lighting range. Marcus had a quick wit and was a raconteur of note, recounting stories and anecdotes drawn from his projects and practice. He will be missed in our profession. Marcus is survived by his original partner Mira Fassler Kamstra, and their shared family; Boris, Gregor, and Donia - Mira's children who he loved dearly and whom he considered as his own, his brother Nicholas and sister Jessica, who live in England. A memorial event will be held at the Johannesburg Country Club in late January 2023. Mira Fassler Kamstra, Kathy Munro, Heather Dodd Submitted by William Martinson. See also A personal tribute to Marcus Holmes by Kathy Munro, Wednesday, November 16, 2022, on The Heritage Portal. Books citing HOLMES
Entries in books by HOLMES
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