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Menu Home Upfront Now Up Books Towns Structures People Firms Lexicon LINNING, Susara Fourie (Su) Born: 1947 12 27 Died: 2023 05 01 Architect BArch 1973 (Pretoria) - Final design title: 'n Kinderhotel Su Linning (nee Uys) was the Executive Officer of the South African Institute of Architects for a period of sixteen years, from July 1997 until her retirement from the institute at the end of July 2013. A graduate of the University of Pretoria, she was employed for a period of over ten years in working for BRIAN SANDROCK ARCHITECTS in Pretoria and the STAUCH VORSTER PARTNERSHIP, respectively in the Pretoria and Windhoek (Namibia) offices. After relocating to Swaziland (now Eswatini) early in 1976, she worked in the Mbabane offices of the MYLES PORTER PUGH AND HORN partnership and was involved in a wide variety of projects. She served as honorary secretary of the Swaziland Association of Architects, Engineers and Surveyors for a number of years. Upon her return to South Africa in 1982, she established her own practice in Johannesburg, which she ran from her home studio until she took up employment with SAIA. She was a Trustee of APIGIS and was an alternate Trustee of Bepmeds. Su was responsible for managing the overall operations of the SAIA Board and its committees and the national secretariat. Over the years she participated and contributed to the work of several SACAP Committees, viz Categories of Registration, Identification of Work, CPD, Education, Professional Practice Examination, Code of Conduct, Research and the annual VA Forum. She represented the Institute in its interaction with industry, both in the public and private sectors. In support of the SAIA President she attended the annual CIDB Stakeholder Forum, several CIDB focus groups, high level interaction on CETA matters, the task team responsible for drafting the Construction Charter, quarterly meetings with the DPW (Professional Liaison) and the BEP Grouping. In her role as Executive Officer of SAIA, she actively participated in the work of the Organisation Committee for the UIA World Conference and interaction with government on Durban 2014. Su was a recipient of the Institute's Gold Medal of Distinction, an honour which was bestowed on her by the SAIA Board of Representatives in September 2012. ____________________ It is with great sadness that SAIA informs you that Su Linning passed away yesterday [2023 05 01] following a heart attack. (William Martinson) Obituary Su Linning died unexpectedly of a heart attack on Monday, 1 May 2023 in Oudtshoorn, Western Cape, at the age of seventy-five. Su, born on 27 December 1947 and baptised Susara Fourie Uys, grew up in Tzaneen in the Lowveld of South Africa. Su and her husband Mike relocated from Johannesburg to Oudtshoorn in January 2023 to be closer to her siblings, Wilma Smit and Sunley Uys. Su and Mike’s daughter, Helèné, lives abroad with husband Hanno and daughters Mila and Anuk. After graduating from the University of Pretoria, she was employed for a period of over ten years by Brian Sandrock Architects in Pretoria and the Stauch Vorster Partnership, for whom she worked in both Pretoria and Windhoek (Namibia). After relocating to Swaziland in 1976, she worked for Myles Porter Pugh and Horn partnership in their Mbabane office. During her tenure there, she served as honorary secretary of the Swaziland Association of Architects, Engineers, and Surveyors. Upon her return to South Africa, she established her own practice in Johannesburg which she ran until she took up employment with the South African Institute of Architects (SAIA) as Executive Officer, her true calling. Su was SAIA’s Executive Officer for a period of sixteen years, from July 1997 until her retirement from the position in July 2013. Some years later, the Institute recruited her on contract to serve the membership as Director: Practice, a role she fulfilled with dedication, and a remarkable eye for detail, and with a quiet patience, until her eventual and final retirement in December 2021. In her position as Executive Officer, and later as Director: Practice, she was responsible for managing the overall operations of the SAIA Board and its various committees and the national secretariat. Over the years she participated and contributed to the work of several committees of the South African Council for the Architectural Profession (SACAP), viz Categories of Registration, Identification of Work, Continuing Professional Development, Education, Professional Practice Examination, Code of Conduct, Research, and the annual VA Forum. During her watch, and with her enthusiastic involvement, the 2014 Congress of the International Union of Architects (UIA) held in Durban was planned, three flagship editions of the Institute’s Practice Handbook/Compendium of Practice Guidelines were published, and the SAIA Benchmark Surveys were conducted. The many volumes of accurately crafted meeting minutes, annual reports, and unqualified financial reports speak of her consummate professionalism, meticulous attention to detail, and unwavering commitment to the Institute, its membership, and its cause. The broader fraternity of built environment professionals benefited from her involvement in the building industry where she represented the Institute in both the public and private sectors. In support of the SAIA President, she attended the annual CIDB Stakeholder Forum, several CIDB focus groups, high level interaction on CETA matters, the task team responsible for drafting the Construction Charter, and quarterly meetings with the DPW and the BEP Grouping. In recognition of her outstanding contribution to the Institute, its members, and the profession, Su was awarded the Institute’s Gold Medal of Distinction, an honour which was bestowed on her by the Board of the South African Institute of Architects in September 2012. The citation reads: "Understanding the needs of the profession, this architect-turned-Executive Officer set about nurturing the membership, the network which makes up the Institute and for which communication is crucial. She set up a process to involve and integrate members for a transforming network and, despite the biennial changes in leadership, with her quiet demeanour, sharp wit and excellent memory, not only kept the Institute together but made the Institute a coherent and well managed body that members value and enjoy being part of… The Medal of Distinction is presented to Su Linning by her colleagues, the Board, regional committees, and the membership at large, with affection and respect in recognition of her dedicated service in the advancement of our profession of Architecture." Su Linning will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, and grandmother; a loyal friend; a dedicated professional; an outstanding executive; a confidante to many Institute presidents, and a valued mentor to colleagues. May her soul rest in peace. Compiled by Dr Eugene Barnard, friend and colleague on behalf of the South African Institute of Architects (SAIA).