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List of Projects

LE ROUX, Paul Regent

Born: 1930 02 25

Architect

SACA:
Reg No: 1558
Year registered: 1954

BArch 1953 (Cape Town)

Was registered with the Cape Institute of Architects in 1954. In 1959 his address was given as 3 Senper Building, Plein Street, Stellenbosch. He was in a partnership with Arnaud G MALAN (cf LE ROUX & MALAN).

The following is an article from the Stellenbosch Heritage Foundation.

Paul Regent le Roux, the eldest of six children, was born in London on 25 February 1930, while his father was following advanced studies in mathematics in that city.

He was awarded a Rhodes bursary [Scholarship] for study in England on matriculating from the Paul Roos Gymnasium in Stellenbosch, but decided against accepting it because his dream was to study architecture at the University of Cape Town. The words of Sir Winston Churchill, one of Le Roux’s heroes, were decisive: “We shape buildings and then they shape our lives”.

Le Roux therefore studied architecture at the University of Cape Town from 1949 to 1953. His studies included two years’ practical experience with the architect Wynand LOUW in Paarl. On completion of his studies, he immediately established his own office in Stellenbosch.

This is where Le Roux was to be found for the following 46 years, except for a period of eight months during which he was on a study tour in Europe in 1956 and two years in 1977 and ‘78 as head of the architectural school at the then University of Port Elizabeth (now the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University). Although he retired in 1989, he stayed in Stellenbosch until 2000, after which he and his wife, Wilsie Schumann (who died in April 2012) moved to Kleinmond. Four children – Winie, Freda, Laal and Malan – were born to them.

Several milestones in Le Roux’s career will be of importance for Stellenbosch residents.

One of these is the Afrikaanse Taalmonument in Paarl. Although designed by his friend Jan van Wyk, Le Roux was responsible for supervising the construction.

Le Roux also played an important role in Stellenbosch in the establishment of the Aesthetics Committee (now the planning and advisory committee) that strove to have new buildings erected in harmony with the town’s historical heritage. He was actively involved with the organisation around the Stellenbosch tercentenary celebrations in 1979.

In 1985, when Gideon VISSER became a partner, the name of the firm was changed to LE ROUX VISSER ARCHITECTS. Upon Le Roux’s retirement in 1989, the firm produced a special publication dedicated to ‘valued clients and friends’ of 35 years.

List of projects

With photographs
With notes

Akkerhof: 1966. Stellenbosch, Western Cape - Architect
Andmar: 1972. Stellenbosch, Western Cape - Architect
Concord (student accommodation): 1964. Stellenbosch, Western Cape - Architect
Helderzicht: 1965. Stellenbosch, Western Cape - Architect
High School: n.d.. Hawston, Western Cape - Architect
House Malherbe: 1976. Stellenbosch, Western Cape - Architect
Mostertsdrift Retirement Home: 1986. Stellenbosch, Western Cape - Architect
Nederduitse Gereformeerde Kerk: 1961. Eendekuil, Western Cape - Architect
Nederduitse Gereformeerde Kerk - Welgelegen: 1972. Stellenbosch, Western Cape - Architect
Saambou: 1975. Stellenbosch, Western Cape - Architect
Taalmonument - Language Monument: 1975. Paarl, Western Cape - Supervising Architect
University of Stellenbosch, Library, Theological Seminary: 1976. Stellenbosch, Western Cape - Architect

References

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 93, 208

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 96, 161