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MenuHomeUpfront Now Up Books Towns Structures People Firms Lexicon | RODD, Douglas HarveyBorn: 1924 11 23Died: 2016 09 27 ArchitectSACA:Reg No: 1336 Year registered: 1951 | ||
Douglas "Doug" Rodd was born in Hillbrow, Johannesburg, in 1924, and attended King Edwards School. After matriculating, he started articles in his father's accounting firm but after three years moved to pursue part time studies in Architecture (much to the dismay of his father), qualifying in 1951 and marrying in the same year. After graduation he joined the prominent practice of HANSON & TOMKIN, where he worked until 1961. He did most of the working drawings for the Geology building at Wits. After Hanson emigrated, Doug practiced independently until he was invited by Monty BRYER, a Rhodes Scholar and fellow of Cambridge University, to create the partnership of MONTE BRYER & RODD ARCHITECTS. They were responsible for the design of the ABSA Towers building in downtown Johannesburg and the Wartenweiler Library at Wits. Their most significant commission was the Johannesburg Civic Centre, won in 1962 in a competition with ASSOCIATED ARCHITECTS, a practice that included Anthony LANGE, Paul SCHWELLNUS and the WATSON PARTNERSHIP. Doug worked with Bryer until the latter retired in 1980. He was then appointed as part-time lecturer in Architecture at Wits, and also undertook a Masters degree in Architectural Conservation, graduating in 1989 at the age of 64. As a heritage specialist, Doug contributed significantly to the documentation of Witwatersrand sites. In 1993 he was appointed by the National Monuments Council to survey the remaining mine-related buildings of the Witwatersrand Gold Mines, and was involved in the identification of the location where the Freedom Charter was signed ahead of its declaration as a monument site. His colleague in Hanson's office, Herbert PRINS, paid tribute to Doug both as an architect and heritage consultant: "he was utterly reliable, a brilliant draftsman and did fine water colour renderings of buildings. His work on the mining-related buildings of the Witwatersrand was excellent, thorough and significant, and I think, remains unique in this field of study." Doug is survived by his two sons Howard and Mike, daughter Cheryl, and eight grandchildren. His wife, Sylvia, passed away in 2006. (Hannah LE ROUX, March 2017. Submitted by William MARTINSON) Books by RODD
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