Contact Artefacts
please if you have any comments or more information regarding this record.
Menu
HomeUpfront
Now Up
Books
Towns
Structures
People
Firms
Lexicon
University of KwaZulu Natal, Howard Memorial College
Durban, KwaZulu-Natal
 |  |  |  |  |
Contact Artefacts | MenuHomeUpfront Now Up Books Towns Structures People Firms Lexicon | University of KwaZulu Natal, Howard Memorial College | | ||||||
| |||||||||
Click to view map Coordinates: | TBF Davis funded the building in memory of his son Howard, who had been killed in the Great (First World) War, aged twenty-one, at the Battle of the Somme. HIRST was commissioned to design the building while studying at the Architectural Association in London. Davis, the donor of the commission, had been persuaded to use a young architect by BM Narbeth, the Principal of the Technical College (later the University of Natal), an ardent promoter of education, who apparently reminded Davis about Cecil Rhodes' gesture in employing the young architect, Herbert BAKER, to design Groote Schuur for him (Rees 1957:205). Sir Charles Smith, a sugar baron who had founded the Emma Smith Scholarship, was immensely gratified by the news of HIRST's appointment (Rees 1957:205). HIRST wrote to Narbeth in March 1929 that Davis had approved the outlined plan. HIRST was, according to HARBER, allowed to submit the design of the College for his thesis at the AA. It was agreed that Hirst should remain in London until March 1929 in order to complete his studies, after which he would return to Durban and prepare his plans so that construction might start in October. The plans were apparently worked on during the sea voyage home. The foundation stone was laid in February 1930. The building was planned around two internal courtyards with open arcaded corridors, the yards divided by a small hall which was situated behind a circular entrance hall (Rees 1957:205). The building, designed to house 250 engineering students, was officially opened in August 1931. The entrance hall to Howard College is a remarkable blend of a formal hall and a moving memorial. The original drawings by HIRST for the building shows a less Lutyensesque design for the dome that was built and without its now famous golden globe. Foundations stone HOWARD DAVIS UNIVERSITY COLLEGE Inauguration stone: HOWARD DAVIS UNIVERSITY COLLEGE (OD 406a-b; SAB Feb 1933:15 ill; Ntl Advertiser Sep 13 1929 ill; Ntl convoc news 5; Rees 1957:205) All truncated references not fully cited below are those of Joanna Walker's original text and cited in full in the 'Bibliography' entry of the Lexicon. Books and articles that reference University of KwaZulu Natal, Howard Memorial College
|
|
