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MenuHomeUpfront Now Up Books Towns Structures People Firms Lexicon | RENNIE, John William LinsingenBorn: 1941 09 11ArchitectSACA:Reg No: 1324 | ||||
John Rennie’s early career is marked by his time spent in the offices of two leading figures in architecture and conservation in South Africa, namely Gawie Fagan and Revel Fox. Though the grounding and experience gained in these two practices cannot be understated, it was perhaps inevitable that John would forge his own career with specific focus on conservation issues.
John left Revel’s practice in 1982 and founded his own firm, JOHN RENNIE ARCHITECT, working from a studio in his house in Gardens. John’s portfolio from this period includes mainly simple rural buildings such as Oude Schuur Nuy and Rondeberg, West Coast. John was also a senior lecturer at UCT’s School of Architecture during this period until the early 1990s when the demands of the practice took over. Increasing workload led to John forming a partnership with Pat RILEY in 1985, operating under the title of JOHN RENNIE and PAT RILEY ARCHITECTS and moving later to its own studio in Gardens. Architect Gregg GODDARD joined the firm in 1990 the practice then becoming known as RENNIE RILEY and GODDARD for a year before restyling itself once again as RENNIE and GODDARD ARCHITECTS. Gregg left to form his own practice in 1996, with Mike SCURR becoming a partner in RENNIE SCURR ARCHITECTS. The growing workload and shift to technology led to Shaun Adendorff becoming a partner in December 2002 in RENNIE SCURR ADENDORFF ARCHITECTS. Amongst very many other things he was involved in the roof restoration of the St George's Cathedral. (Extracted from VASSA Journal, Number 24September 2011:1-3. Accessed 2020 09 08) He was one of the contributors to the book The Buildings of Cape Town 1983 : Phase Two. Volume Three : Catalogue and Classification. John Rennie received the Simon van der Stel Medal in 2021. Citation for the award: After graduation in 1966, John Rennie started his career at the offices of Gawie Fagan where he stayed for 4 years. He then joined the firm of Revel Fox. In 1973 – 74 John interrupted his time at Revel Fox and moved to York in the United Kingdom with his family to attend full-time postgraduate courses. He is the first South African to gain the University of York Conservation Studies Diploma. In 1982 John founded his own firm. He was also involved in different partnerships over the years and ended his career at his firm Rennie Scurr Adendorff. The first major conservation project that steered John into the world of conservation architecture, was the Tuynhuys project. John was a senior lecturer at UCT’s School of Architecture until the early 1990’s when his practice demanded his full devotion. Notable conservation projects that John worked on include:
Significantly, in 1978 John compiled the 1978 Cape Institute of Architects Buildings of Central Cape Town survey volumes as well as the Old Wynberg Village Catalogue of Buildings. Rennie Scurr Adendorff continues the ethos established by John Rennie specialising in the field of conservation of historical buildings and precincts. The practice has been awarded 9 Institute of Architecture Awards and many of their projects have been published. Gawie Fagan said that John has a strict sense of responsibility and a continual strive for perfection. In addition to continually building up a body of solid work, a large part of John’s legacy is achieved through the transfer of knowledge via the many young practitioners that worked in his firm. Among others, John is past Chairman of the Vernacular Architecture Society of South Africa and past board member of the Cape Town Heritage Trust. For some years he was also a member of the Simon van der Stel Foundation. For his outstanding contribution to the conservation, protection and restoration of heritage buildings and for furthering of knowledge in the field of heritage studies and conservation, John is presented with a Simon van der Stel Medal. (HERITAGE ASSOCIATION OF SOUTH AFRICA, accessed 2023 09 08) Books by RENNIE
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