i ii Figure i: Fanlight of the demolished RCSA church, Bloemfontein (Gustav Opperman, 2008) The Life and Work of Architect Wynand H Louw (1883-1967) with a Focus on the Design of Ecclesiastical Buildings Declaration Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements in respect of the degree Master of Architecture (Research) in the Department of Architecture in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences at the University of the Free State, Bloemfontein. Unless otherwise stated this dissertation is my own work. Albert Barend Geldenhuys 2021826603 Pr Eng FSAICE Hons BEng cum laude (Stellenbosch University) Albert.b.geldenhuys@gmail.com 28 July 2023 iii The Life and Work of Architect Wynand H Louw (1883-1967) with a Focus on the Design of Ecclesiastical Buildings Albert Barend Geldenhuys Supervisor: JL du Preez (UFS) Department of Architecture, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences at the University of the Free State, Bloemfontein iv Figure ii: Collage of leaded glass windows designed by Wynand H Louw (2021) “Is het echt wel mogelijk dat U op aarde zou willen wonen? Zelfs de hoogste hemelen kunnen U niet bevatten, laat staan deze tempel die ik heb gebouwd.” Salomo, Het Boek, 1 Koningen 8:2 Page | v Dedication, acknowledgement, and thanks I dedicate this dissertation to: My parents: J Norval Geldenhuys, whose legacy inspired me throughout my life, also to my mother Alida Geldenhuys who showed me the value of contentment and of respect for my heritage, and to my grandfather Wynand H Louw who was the first inspiration behind my professional career in civil engineering. Prof Frances Petersen, who introduced me to Jan Ras and the staff of the University of the Free State Department of Architecture. Kobus du Preez, my study leader at UFS. The library staff at UFS, UCT, and US for their dedicated service to all researchers. The Louw family, particularly J Wynand Louw of Die Hoogte (grandson of Wynand H Louw and son of Norval), Wynand Louw Jr (son of Tobie, oldest son of Wynand H Louw), Dr Henti Louw (youngest son of Henri Louw), Louis Louw (present owner of Picardie), Hendrik Louw (who maintains the Louw Register, President of the Genealogical Society of South Africa), and Hendrik J Louw (grandson of Henri Louw) – all of whom assisted me enthusiastically with my research on the Louw Family. Herman Binge, my friend and partner at Marche Media, whose enthusiasm and encouragement set me off on the journey. How I wish you were still here to make our dream about a TV series on South African churches come true. Prof Mabel Erasmus (née Geldenhuys), whose deep insights assisted me to improve the logic and answer the unanswered. Philippe Menache, writer of four books on South African churches, for his knowledge, enthusiasm, and support. Dr Andries Cilliers, of DRC Drieankerbaai, who always had another book on church architecture and related theology to recommend, loan or give. My architect friends Louis Steyn, PC Janse van Rensburg and Peter Schumann for continued interest, support, and assistance. My electrical engineer friend Dirk du Toit who had to endure many lunch time discussions about architecture. The many church officials and dominees who welcomed us into their church buildings and archives during our visits to document Wynand H Louw projects. The many kerkrade of congregations and their staff who maintain their buildings and gardens with such loving care despite many challenges. Willie Nel of Elsonia, Vrede who alerted me to the fact that Wynand Louw designed more than just a few churches such as DRC Napier and gave me an initial list of churches. My travel partner – through life and in search of Wynand H Louw projects – Maretha Geldenhuys (née Lazarus) without whose support, encouragement, intimate knowledge of cultural history, and patience this research project would not have been possible. Page | vi ABSTRACT Wynand H Louw (1883-1967) is acclaimed to be the first Afrikaans-speaking South African to be formally trained as an architect. After his training at the Architectural Association in London Louw returned to South Africa in the post-South African War and pre-Unification era. Architectural work was scarce, but he received his first commission late in 1907. Early in 1909 the DRC Port Elizabeth gave him his first commission for a new church building. More ecclesiastical projects would soon follow, launching him in his career as architect. Louw grew up as a member of the Dutch Reformed Church Strooidakkerk, Paarl. It had a typical early 19th-century Greek cross plan and Cape Dutch design. He realised that the Latin (and even Greek) cross was not ideal as a layout for reformed churches which focused on the sermon, requiring a focus on the pulpit in the centre of the liturgical space. A new approach to reformed church design was required. As a member of a Reformed church, and a well-trained architect, Louw was in an ideal position to start experimenting. Based on the author’s research a total of approximately 160 ecclesiastical building projects can be ascribed to Louw and his architectural practices Louw & Moerdyk and Louw & Louw. Over a period of fifty years, they designed at least 110 churches, many church halls, and did a number of church renovations. These projects gave Louw ample opportunity to experiment with new ideas and to develop and hone his skills as a church architect. This dissertation aims to document Louw’s complete oeuvre of ecclesiastical projects. With reference to the broad global, as well as the South African context of church architecture’s evolution over the ages, it strives to indicate if, why, how and to what extent Wynand H Louw’s design ideas for reformed church buildings were the beginning of a new era for church architecture in southern Africa. Keywords Wynand H Louw; Church architecture; Architectural Association; Johan CE Seeliger; KWV Head Office Building; Louw & Louw; Louw & Moerdyk; Mutual Heights; Napier DRC Church; Reitz DRC Church; RIBA in South Africa; Die Strand DRC Church; Waalburg Building Page | vii SAMEVATTING Wynand H Louw (1883-1967) word beskou as die eerste Afrikaans-sprekende argitek wat formeel opgelei is. Na sy opleiding by die Architectural Association in Londen keer hy terug na Suid-Afrika, enkele jare na die Suid-Afrikaanse Oorlog en met die opbou na Uniewording. Ten spyte van min werksgeleenthede, kry hy sy eerste argiteksopdrag laat in 1907. Die Nederduitse Gereformeerde Gemeente Port Elizabeth gee hom vroeg in 1909 ‘n aanstelling vir sy eerste kerkgebou. Vele kerkbouprojekte het daarop gevolg en sy loopbaan as argitek ‘n hupstoot gegee. Louw het grootgeword as lidmaat van die Strooidakkerk in die Paarl: ‘n tipiese 19de eeuse kerk in Kaaps-Hollandese styl met ‘n Griekse kruisplan. Hy het vroeg reeds besef dat Latynse (en selfs Griekse) kruisplanne nie geskik is vir Gereformeerde kerke met hul fokus op die prediking en dus op ‘n kansel in die middel van die liturgiese ruimte nie. ‘n Nuwe benadering was nodig. As goed- opgeleide argitek, wat self ook lidmaat van ‘n Gereformeerde kerk was, was Louw in ‘n ideale posisie om te begin eksperimenteer. Die skrywer se navorsing dui op bykans 160 kerkbouprojekte wat aan Louw en sy praktyke Louw & Moerdyk en Louw & Louw toegeskryf kan word. Oor ‘n tydperk van ‘n halfeeu het hulle minstens 110 kerkgeboue, asook vele kerksale en kerkverbouings ontwerp - projekte wat Louw voldoende geleentheid gebied het om nuwe idees te ontwikkel en om sy vaardighede as argitek te verfyn. Hierdie verhandeling poog om Louw se oeuvre van kerkbouprojekte volledig te dokumenteer. Teen die agtergrond van die wêreldwye, sowel as die Suid-Afrikaanse, konteks van die ontwikkeling van kerkargitektuur oor die eeue, word gestreef om antwoorde te vind: hoekom, hoe en tot watter mate het Wynand H Louw se ontwerpidees ‘n nuwe era ingelui vir Gereformeerde kerkargitektuur in suidelike Afrika? Sleutelwoorde Wynand H Louw; Kerkargitektuur; Architectural Association; Johan CE Seeliger; KWV Hoofkantoorgebou; Louw & Louw; Louw & Moerdyk; Mutual Heights; Napier NG kerk; Reitz NG kerk; RIBA in Suid-Afrika; Die Strand NG kerk; Waalburg Gebou Page | viii The Life and Work of Architect Wynand H Louw (1883-1967) with a Focus on the Design of Ecclesiastical Buildings Figure iii: Wynand Hendrik Louw c1965 (Louw [B], no date) Page | ix TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT ......................................................................................................................... VI SAMEVATTING .................................................................................................................. VII GLOSSARY ........................................................................................................................ XII ACRONYMS ....................................................................................................................... XV 1. INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Background and rationale of the study ............................................................ 1 1.2 Position of the author ........................................................................................ 3 1.3 Aim of the study ................................................................................................. 4 1.4 Research procedure and questions examined ................................................ 4 1.5 Research design and methodology .................................................................. 5 1.6 Literature Review ............................................................................................... 6 1.7 Structure of and layout of dissertation ............................................................. 8 2. AN INTRODUCTION TO WYNAND HENDRIK LOUW (1883-1967) ........................... 10 2.1 The Louw Family history ................................................................................. 10 2.2 A short History of the Farm Labori et Picardi ................................................ 11 2.3 The Wynand Louw life story ............................................................................ 13 2.4 Architectural training in the early 20th century ............................................... 20 2.5 A summary of potential influences on Wynand Louw during his London years ........................................................................................................................... 25 2.6 Wynand H Louw’s professional career ........................................................... 29 3. A CHRONOLOGICAL LIST OF ALL ECCLESIASTICAL BUILDINGS DESIGNED BY WYNAND H LOUW AND HIS ARCHITECTURAL PRACTICES. ................................ 44 3.1 Background information .................................................................................. 44 3.2 Study tours ....................................................................................................... 44 3.3 Methodology of church visits .......................................................................... 47 3.4 Books published by congregations about their history ................................ 47 3.5 The Wynand Louw diaries ............................................................................... 48 3.6 The use of social media to fill the gaps .......................................................... 49 3.7 Format of the List and Summary ..................................................................... 49 Summary of the List of Ecclesiastical Projects ...................................................... 50 4. BROAD GLOBAL CONTEXT ..................................................................................... 57 4.1 What is Church Architecture? ......................................................................... 57 Page | x 4.2 A broad overview of the evolution of church architecture over three Millennia up to the early 17th century with the advent of the reformation .................... 61 4.3 Further evolution of church architecture in the Western world after the 16th century Reformation and Counter-Reformation ............................................ 85 4.4 Summary ........................................................................................................... 92 4.5 Explanatory notes regarding the Protestant/Reformed viewpoint on domus dei and domus ecclesia church design ................................................................ 93 5. THE SOUTH AFRICAN CONTEXT ............................................................................. 95 5.1 An overview of Cape and South African church architecture from 1652 until the late 19th century .......................................................................................... 95 5.2 The socioeconomic, political, and administrative environment of the post- South African War era .................................................................................... 121 5.3 Time for a new approach? ............................................................................. 125 5.4 An overview of the most prominent South African-based Reformed church architects of the early 20th century ............................................................... 127 5.5 Concluding remarks ....................................................................................... 136 6. CASE STUDIES ........................................................................................................ 138 6.1 Intent ............................................................................................................... 138 6.2 Rationale of Selection .................................................................................... 138 6.3 The List of Fifteen case studies .................................................................... 138 6.4 Case Study Nr 1: DRC Port Elizabeth 1909 .................................................. 139 6.5 Case study Nr 2: DRC Reitz 1912 .................................................................. 142 6.6 Case study Nr 3: DRC Kuruman 1914 ........................................................... 146 6.7 Case Study Nr 4: DRC Pietersburg 1917 ...................................................... 148 6.8 Case study Nr 5: DRC Dundee 1921 ............................................................. 150 6.9 Case study Nr 6: DRC De Aar 1923 ............................................................... 153 6.10 Case study Nr 7: DRC Hertzogville 1924 ...................................................... 157 6.11 Case study Nr 8: DRC Lindley 1926 .............................................................. 160 6.12 Case study Nr 9: DRC Napier 1927 ............................................................... 162 6.13 Case study Nr 10: DRC Uitenhage 1927 ....................................................... 165 6.14 Case study Nr 11: DRC Die Strand 1930 ....................................................... 167 6.15 Case study Nr 12: DRC Bethlehem West 1930 ............................................. 170 6.16 Case Study Nr 13: DRC Somerset West 1940 ............................................... 173 6.17 Case Study Nr 14: DRC Vredendal 1949 ....................................................... 177 6.18 Case study Nr 15: DRC Lutzville 1955 .......................................................... 180 7. THE EVOLUTION OF WYNAND H LOUW’S APPROACH TO CHURCH DESIGN .. 184 7.1 Rationale ......................................................................................................... 184 Page | xi 7.2 Financial constraints ..................................................................................... 188 7.3 Material constraints ....................................................................................... 188 7.4 Interior layout ................................................................................................. 190 7.5 Exterior design ............................................................................................... 192 7.6 The Ultimate Louw Design ............................................................................. 192 7.7 Relevance of Louw’s design approach ......................................................... 195 8. CONCLUSION .......................................................................................................... 199 EPILOGUE ......................................................................................................................... 201 BIBLIOGRAPHY ................................................................................................................ 203 LIST OF FIGURES ............................................................................................................. 211 APPENDIX A: LIST OF ARCHITECTURAL AWARDS MADE BY THE SUID-AFRIKAANSE AKADEMIE VIR WETENSKAP EN KUNS ................................................................ 223 APPENDIX B: GENEALOGY OF WYNAND HENDRIK LOUW ......................................... 224 APPENDIX C: FLOW DIAGRAM OF OWNERSHIP OF LABORI ET PICARDI ................. 226 APPENDIX D: WYNAND LOUW’S DIARIES ..................................................................... 227 APPENDIX E: THE WYNAND H LOUW PERIOD FROM 1907 TO 1921 ........................... 229 APPENDIX F: THE LOUW & MOERDYK PERIOD FROM 1921 TO 1927 ......................... 268 APPENDIX G: THE LOUW & LOUW PERIOD FROM 1927 TO 1951 ............................... 307 APPENDIX H: THE LOUW & LOUW (WOLLIE BRONKHORST) PERIOD FROM 1951 TO 1960 .......................................................................................................................... 360 APPENDIX I: TABLE OF PROMINENT SOUTH AFRICAN CHURCH ARCHITECTS BORN IN THE 19TH CENTURY ................................................................................................. 398 APPENDIX J: REFERENCES IN CHAPTER 3.7 SUMMARY OF THE LIST ..................... 404 APPENDIX K: DIE HUISGENOOT, 02.01.1953 ................................................................. 405 APPENDIX L: GORDON LEITH’S LETTER TO WYNAND H LOUW, 14.12.1906 ............. 409 xii GLOSSARY Afrikanerbond: Anti-imperialist political party founded in the Cape Colony in 1880. Not to be confused with later organisations with a similar name Akademie: Afrikaans for Academy ambulatory: Aisle extended around the altar end of a church anticolonialism: The struggle against imperial rule in colonised countries during the first half of the 20th century apse: Semi-circular or polygonal recess in a church wall, often on the Eastern side armblanke: Afrikaans for poor white people basilica: Large oblong building used as justice and public meeting place in Ancient Rome Baugewerkschule: German for a school of construction bimah: Raised platform in Jewish synagogue from which the Torah is read bittereinders: Boers who fought to the very end of the South African War boer: A farmer in Southern Africa. Often considered to be conservative boerekerke: Afrikaans for farmer’s churches boukommissie: Afrikaans for the building commission of a kerkraad (church council) burghers: Farmers, Boers, Afrikaners bywoners: Afrikaans for labourer or farmer working another person’s land Cape: Cape of Good Hope, Cape Colony, Cape of Good Hope Province, Cape Province, the area comprising the combination of the present Northern Cape, Western Cape, and Eastern Cape Provinces of South Africa Centraalbouw: Dutch for centrally focused church layouts (plattegrond), mostly symmetrical, including square, circular, octagonal, and Greek cross layouts clerestory (also clearstory): Windows in the upper story of basilicas, etc. clericus: Latin for clergy chevette: Radiating chapels Church: An institution of organised Christian worship church: A building for Christian worship congregation: A group of people assembled/organised for religious worship crossing: Part of a church building where the nave (main axis) and transept (secondary axis at 90 degrees) overlap crux immissa: Latin for a cross with the top upright shaft extending above the transverse beam De Burger: Die Burger, Cape Town based Afrikaans newspaper established in 1915 (Booyens & Schoeman, 2017: 1-265) De Nationale Pers: Presently the company Naspers, established in 1915 Departement Publieke Werken (DPW): Public Works Department of the ZAR Die Afrikaanse Patriot: First Afrikaans language newspaper established in 1876 Die Hoogte: Louw’s home in Main Street, Paarl dominees: Afrikaans for pastors domus dei: Latin for the house of God domus ecclesiae: Latin for a meeting place Dutch Reformed Church (DRC): Nederduitse Gereformeerde Kerk (NGK) ecclesia: Latin for a congregation ecclesiastical buildings: churches and church halls ekklesia: Greek for a congregation Free State: Term used for the Republiek van Oranje Vrijstaat (1854-1902), the Province of the Orange Free State of the Union on South Africa (1910-1961), the Province of the Orange Free State of the Republic of South Africa (from 1961) or the Free State Province (1994 – date) xiii Genootskap van Regte Afrikaners: Society of True Afrikaners, founded in Paarl in 1875 (Du Toit, 1880: 50-63) Gereformeerde: Afrikaans for Reformed Gereformeerde Kerke in Suid Afrika (GKSA): Reformed Church in South Africa (RCSA) governess: A teacher and child caretaker Great Trek: Northern emigration of disgruntled people from the Cape Colony from 1835-1845 Hallenkirche: German for hall church with the roof of the nave and aisles more or less at the same level Helpmekaar Vereniging: A fund created in 1914 to assist those who faced bankruptcy after the 1914 Rebellion, now a study fund providing study loans and bursaries called Helpmekaar Studiefonds Hervormde: Afrikaans for Reformed Hervormde Kerk or Nederlandse Hervormde Kerk: Dutch Reformed Church, the Netherlands - established in 1571. Not to be confused with NRCA Het Volk Party: Transvaal-based political party established in 1904 under the leadership of Louis Botha and Jan Smuts hieros topos: Greek for sacred place/height joiners: Boers/burghers who joined the British during the South African War kappiekerk: Afrikaans for tent-shaped or A-framed church building kerk: Afrikaans for a church kerkdorp: A town which developed around a church, sometimes even as the property of the congregation Kerkgeboue van Suider-Afrika: Facebook group focused on church buildings of South Africa (https://m.facebook.com/groups/559317180826401/?ref=share&mibextid=S66gvF) Kerkgeboue van Wynand H Louw: Facebook group focused on church buildings designed by WH Louw (https://m.facebook.com/groups/461643864215652/?ref=share&mibextid=S66gvF) kerkhuis: Afrikaans for a house used as a church kerkraad: Afrikaans for church council. Kindergarten: Alfred Milner’s group of Britons who served in the South African Civil Service from 1902-1910 (Steyn, 2022: 142, 161-163, 242-253) kirk: Scottish for a church konsistorie: A space directly accessible externally for the meeting of the kerkraad (council), which also assembles here before a service to ceremonially enter what is referred to as the liturgical space. Often translated as vestry, but in other Christian churches, the vestry would contain vestments and need only be small, or a sacristy, used for the clergy in preparation of the service, but could also contain vestments and other articles for worship. It is not the consistory. kuriakon: Greek for a church laicus: Latin for laity livskunst: Norwegian for Art of Living liturgical space: Sanctuary, space for the performance of liturgical rituals such as Holy Communion, baptism and preaching. It varies according to denomination. Mynwerkersunie: Afrikaans for Mineworkers Union Nasionale Pers: Previously De Nationale Pers, now Naspers narthex: Antechamber or large porch of a church nave: Central part of a church (often an oblong form) for the congregation Nederduitse Gereformeerde Kerk (NGK): Dutch Reformed Church (DRC) Nederduitsch Hervomde Kerk van Afrika (NHKA): Netherdutch Reformed Church of Africa (NRCA) Normaalkollege: Teacher’s training college Orange River Colony: The Vrystaat between its annexation by Britain during the South African War and 1910 when it became a province of the Union of South Africa https://m.facebook.com/groups/559317180826401/?ref=share&mibextid=S66gvF https://m.facebook.com/groups/461643864215652/?ref=share&mibextid=S66gvF xiv Orangia Unie: Political party established in 1907 in the Orange River Colony under leadership of A Fischer, MT Steyn and JBM Hertzog Oranjevrijstaat: Republiek van die Oranje Vrijstaat, Republic of Orange Free State, 1854 - 1902 Oude Pastorie: Dutch for Old Parsonage plattegrond: Dutch for a layout plan preekkerk: Dutch for a church building focused on the preaching/sermon Protestant: Christian Church member that separated from the Roman Catholic Church after the Reformation of 1517 Public Works Department (PWD): Public Works Department of South Africa after 1902 Republic of South Africa: The Union of South Africa became the Republic of South Africa in 1961 after the Union left the British Commonwealth Suid-Afrikaanse Akademie vir Wetenskap en Kuns: Originally De Zuid-Afrikaanse Akademie voor Taal, Letteren en Kunst saakgelastigde: Afrikaans for a church official sieckentroosters: Dutch for lay preachers and carers of the ill sola scriptura: Latin for ‘scripture alone’, the focus of Reformed Protestant churches. South Africa: Refers to the area which is presently the geographic area of the Republic of South Africa, but in all its previous configurations since 1652 stedskunst: Norwegian for Art of Place Strooidakkerk: Afrikaans for Thatch Roof Church, DRC Paarl Tanakh: Tanach, Hebrew Bible including the Torah Torah: First five books (ascribed to Moses) of the Hebrew Bible transept: The two parts forming the arms of the cross shape of a church at 90 degrees to the nave: The secondary axis of a cross-shaped church transom window: Window above a door. A fanlight is a type of transom window, mostly semi- circular or semi-elliptical in form, with radiating glazing bars. (Oxford, 2006) Transvaal: Term used for the ZAR (1852 - 1902), Colony of Transvaal (1902-1910), Province of Transvaal of the Union of South Africa (1910-1961), Province of Transvaal of the Republic of South Africa (1961-1994) Tweede Vryheidsoorlog: South African War, 1899-1902 Union of South Africa: Formed in 1910 through the unification of the British colonies of the Cape, Natal, Orange River and Transvaal uitlander: A British immigrant living in Transvaal who was denied citizenship. Afrikaans for foreigner Verenigende Gereformeerde Kerk in Suider-Afrika (VGKSA): Uniting Reformed Church in Southern Africa (URCSA) volkseie: Afrikaans for ‘a nation’s own’ culture/character/architecture. Anything associated with Afrikaners in particular. volkskerk: Afrikaans for People’s Church Voortrekkers: Mostly Dutch-speaking people who migrated north by oxwagon from the Cape Colony from 1835 onwards. Voortrekkerkerk: Church of the Voortrekkers that broke away from the Cape Church vryburgers: Afrikaans for Free Burghers: former Dutch East India Company employees at the Cape who were released from their company duties and allowed to farm. Dutch: vryburghers Vrystaat: Free State, Oranjevrijstaat, Orange River Colony (1902 – 1910), Province of Orange Free State of the Union of South Africa (1910 – 1961), Province of Orange Free State of the Republic of South Africa (1961-1994), Free State Province (1994 – date) Zentralbau: German for centrally focused church layout, mostly symmetrical. Refer to Centraalbouw (Dutch) Zionskirche: Zion’s Church Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek: ZAR, South African Republic, Transvaal, 1852 – 1902 xv ACRONYMS AA: Architectural Association AAD: Association of Architectural Draughtsmen AD: Anno Domini. A Latin phrase which translates to ‘in the year of our Lord’. A religious neutral alternative is CE which means Common Era. ACVV: Afrikaanse Christelike Vrouevereniging or Afrikaner Christian Women's Movement ARIBA: Associate of the Royal Institute of British Architects BC: before Christ. A religious neutral alternative is BCE which means Before the Common Era. B&W: Black and white (photographs) DPW: Departement Publieke Werken or Public Works Department of the ZAR DRC: Dutch Reformed Church or NGK in Afrikaans FRIBA: Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects GKSA: Gereformeerde Kerke in Suid Afrika or Reformed Church in South Africa (RCSA) ISAA: Institute of South African Architects established in 1927. Replaced by SAIA in 1996 KWV: Koöperatieve Wijnbouwers Vereniging van Suid-Afrika is the Dutch for Co-operative Winemakers Union' of South Africa LRIBA: Licentiate member of the Royal Institute of British Architects – registered based on competence without examinations. MIT: Massachusetts Institute of Technology NGK: Nederduitse Gereformeerde Kerk or DRC NHKA: Nederduitsch Hervomde Kerk van Afrika (NHKA) or Netherdutch Reformed Church of Africa (NRCA) NIV: New International Version translation of the Bible NRCA: Netherdutch Reformed Church of Africa or NHKA in Afrikaans PWD: Public Works Department of South Africa RCSA: Reformed Church in South Africa or Gereformeerde Kerke in Suid Afrika (GKSA) RIBA: Royal Institute of British Architects SAIA: South African Institute of Architects URCSA: Uniting Reformed Church in Southern Africa or Verenigende Gereformeerde Kerk in Suider-Afrika (VGKSA) in Afrikaans VOC: Dutch East India Company established in 1602, Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie VGKSA: Verenigende Gereformeerde Kerk in Suider-Afrika or URCSA WWI: First World War WWII: Second World War ZAR: Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek or South African Republic, Transvaal Page | 1 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 BACKGROUND AND RATIONALE OF THE STUDY In 1940 De Zuid-Afrikaanse Akademie voor Taal, Letteren en Kunst1 awarded Wynand H Louw a medal for his contribution to architecture.2 Since 1909 the Academy was and continues to be a multidisciplinary organisation dedicated to the promotion of excellence in science, technology, Afrikaans literature, and the arts. An award by the Academy is still regarded as a prestigious national award that an author, architect, poet, or exponent of other disciplines could receive for a lifelong contribution to their discipline. Louw was only the second individual to receive a medal for architecture.3 Wynand H Louw (1883-1967) is acclaimed to be the first Afrikaans-speaking South African person to be formally trained as an architect. He was born in Paarl, South Africa4, in the late 19th century and grew up within an established Dutch/Afrikaans community with a culture steeped in the Calvinist spiritual tradition and as a member of the Dutch Reformed Church (DRC).5 Figures 1.1 and 1.2: Front and back of 1940 Medal (Louw [B], no date) 1 De Zuid-Afrikaanse Akademie voor Taal, Letteren en Kunst, changed its name to Die Suid-Afrikaanse Akademie vir Wetenskap en Kuns in 1942. For more information refer to www.akademie.co.za 2 In the same year the Akademie awarded the Hertzog Prize for literature to NP van Wyk Louw. 3 Information obtained from Dr L Brink of the Akademie via emails of 7 and 20 December 2022 included a complete list of awards made for architecture between 1936 and 2018. Refer to Appendix A. 4 South Africa: This term is generally used for the area which at present is the Republic of South Africa, while realising that at the end of the 19th century it was four separate states: the Cape Colony, the Natal Colony, the Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek (ZAR) and the Republiek van die Oranje Vrijstaat (OVS) that became four colonies after the South African War. These colonies were unified in 1910 as the Union of South Africa and then became four provinces of South Africa. 5 For more information about the DRC refer to www.ngkerk.org.za http://www.akademie.co.za/ Page | 2 In the years immediately following the South African War (1899-1902)6 Louw studied at the Architectural Association (AA) in London in 1905 and 1906 after which he returned to his native Paarl. He started practising as an architect during a time of great turmoil, hardship and anticolonial sentiments in the years leading up to the unification of South Africa. He received his first commission as an architect in August 1907. It entailed emergency repairs to the gable wall of a CO Hager-designed DRC church in Heidelberg, Cape (Van Zyl, 2005: 44). Soon thereafter in December 1907, he was appointed to design a new church hall for the DRC Strooidakkerk in Paarl. His last career project was the reconstruction of the old parsonage of the DRC Strooidakkerk from 1961 to 1966 (less than a hundred metres from the church hall) signifying the completion of a circle after a full life and career. Based on the author’s research over the last seven years, a total of approximately 160 ecclesiastical building projects (churches and church halls, including renovations but excluding parsonages) can be ascribed to Wynand H Louw and his architectural practices in South Africa. Over a period of 50 years, Louw and his practices designed approximately 110 new church buildings for Reformed Church denominations, primarily the DRC. It is believed to be the highest number of church building design projects ascribed to a single architect (and his practices) in South Africa. These projects allowed Louw ample opportunity to experiment with new ideas and to develop and hone his skills as a church architect. Unlike the case with many of his predecessors and contemporaries7, Louw’s work or impact has, with the exception of an article by Schalk W le Roux (2008: 22-25, 28-33, 43-44), not been extensively researched or documented to date.8 6 South African War: From 1899 to 1902. Also called the Anglo-Boer War or Die Tweede Vryheidsoorlog. 7 The aftermath of the South African War during the first decade of the 20th century leading up to the formation of the Union of South Africa was also the dawn of a new era for southern African reformed church architecture. Among the architects of this era were Francois Hesse, Walter Donaldson, John Gaisford, Hermann Kallenbach, Henry Davidge Pitts, JR Burg, and William Henry Ford. Also refer to the table in Figure 5.39 in Chapter 5.1.7 and Appendix I for more information about them, their contemporaries, and the churches they designed. 8 An article by Le Roux titled Die soeke van drie argitekte na ‘n planvorm vir Afrikaanse Gereformeerde kerkbou discussed the searches by three architects (Wynand Louw, J. Anthonie Smith and Johan de Ridder) for appropriate plan forms and exterior design for reformed churches in the early part of the 20th century. At the time there were no clear guidelines available for the design of South African reformed churches - either from the church or from the architectural fraternity. This led to a variety of interpretations. While recognising his substantial contribution to architecture in general, Le Roux described Louw primarily as a church architect, often also referred to as the first Afrikaans architect. Le Roux is one of the few who recognised Louw’s contribution to a new approach to church design well before the arrival of Gerard Moerdyk on the architectural horizon. (Le Roux, 2008, 23-34) In the popular press Menache & David dedicated a chapter of their book Church Tourism In South Africa to Wynand Louw (Menache & David, 2015: 138-153) and Paul Duncan dedicated five chapters of his book Inside Paarl to projects by Wynand Louw. (Duncan, 2021: 87-96, 109-122, 139-154, 201-230) Page | 3 The author intends to further a better and more detailed understanding of Wynand H Louw’s important contribution to especially South African reformed ecclesiastical architecture. 1.2 POSITION OF THE AUTHOR The author, Albert Barend Geldenhuys, is registered professional engineer, and a Fellow of the South African Institution of Civil Engineers. He delivered the Institution’s 2012 Snape Memorial Lecture and served on the board of Consulting Engineers South Africa for almost seven years. After retirement Geldenhuys co-founded Marche Media, a film and media company that produced many television series and acclaimed feature films such as Kanarie, Johnny is nie dood nie, and many more. He was a co-Executive Producer of the feature film Poppie Nongena and still hopes to produce a television series on South African church architecture. Cycling, photography and olive farming are extramural interests. He is an amateur photographer focusing on church photography with a view to promote church tourism in order to help preserve South Africa’s church architectural heritage. As a Google guide his contributions, which mainly focus on churches, have more than 25 million views. The author’s interest in the oeuvre of his step-grandfather Wynand H Louw was activated shortly after his retirement, when a family friend alerted him to the fact that the church in Bethlehem that he recently photographed was one of his grandfather’s early projects. This led to a journey in search of his grandfather’s oeuvre of ecclesiastical buildings that included a series of study tours which covered at least 40 000 kilometres of travel by motor vehicle. The journey developed into this discussion. As a Louw family member, Geldenhuys has access to the private family collections of the descendants of Wynand, his brother Henri, and his architect son Tobie. After his death Wynand Louw’s house Die Hoogte has continuously been inhabited by a descendant until mid-2023. His study room remained almost intact and contained most of his diaries as well as original plans of his first church project. The house has now been sold. Page | 4 1.3 AIM OF THE STUDY The dissertation endeavours to broaden the knowledge about and appreciation for the contribution of Wynand H Louw to South African ecclesiastical architecture: • It investigates if, why, how, and to what extent Wynand H Louw’s design ideas for reformed church buildings were the beginning of a new era for church architecture in southern Africa and how this evolved. It tries to uncover possible origins for his inspiration to change the status quo. • It considers the influence and possible impact that Louw, as an architect, had on the design and construction of reformed ecclesiastical buildings in southern Africa in the first half of the 20th century. It investigates to what extent Louw’s new ideas for church designs satisfied the needs of the early to middle 20th century Reformed congregations of southern Africa. 1.4 RESEARCH PROCEDURE AND QUESTIONS EXAMINED The research needed to pursue certain crucial questions to create a context, from the broadest macro scale of church history and the development of temple and church architecture over millennia to the micro-scale of the conditions and places where Louw had to design and build his ecclesiastical projects. The questions to be researched were formulated to illustrate which aspects influenced Louw’s approach to reformed church architecture. The questions are the following: 1.4.1 What is church architecture? To consider the influence that an architect had on church architecture it is necessary to understand what the term implies. What does the design of a church entail? 1.4.2 Where did church architecture originate and how did it evolve? At face value, church architecture is architecture for Christian gatherings, and therefore only exists since the death of Christ, which denotes the beginning of the Christian religion. Is this assumption correct? How did church architecture evolve over the millennia? Page | 5 1.4.3 How did church design evolve in the Cape and South Africa? Buildings for church meetings were required soon after the arrival of the first permanent Christian inhabitants at the Cape in 1652. What were the influences on church architecture at the time and how did it evolve over the years until Wynand Louw started to practice as an architect in 1907. 1.4.4 What influences shaped Wynand Louw’s approach to church architecture? According to Fletcher, one of Louw’s lecturers at the AA, church architecture is influenced by geographical, geological, climatic, religious, social, historical, and political circumstances. How did these and other factors such as predecessors and contemporary architects influence Louw? (Fletcher, 1961: 253-257). 1.4.5 How many ecclesiastical buildings did Louw and his architectural practices design between 1907 and his semi-retirement in 1957? The aim is to produce a complete and detailed list of all ecclesiastical buildings designed by Louw and his practices. 1.4.6 Did Wynand Louw introduce a new approach to the design of reformed church architecture in South Africa? Is there any proof that Louw introduced a new era? Were there other architects who took the lead, or did they follow his lead? 1.4.7 Was the new approach of Louw and his contemporaries successful? What was the impact of this new approach to church design? 1.5 RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY This dissertation follows a case study approach. A selection of fifteen church buildings designed by Louw will be analysed to understand Louw’s design approach to reformed church architecture and to ascertain if and how it evolved over fifty years from 1907 to 1957. The enquiry is divided into three parts. 1.5.1 Background studies The aim is to provide context to the life and work of Wynand Louw. The background includes a concise overview of the evolution of church architecture over more than two millennia, an examination of the evolution of South African church architecture from 1652 Page | 6 up to 1900, a scrutiny of South African church architects of the latter part of the 19th century, and Louw’s 20th-century contemporaries. It is followed by a review of the socio- economic and political environment of the post-South African War era as well as an outline of Louw’s life story and his professional career. 1.5.2 The compilation of a complete list of southern African ecclesiastical buildings ascribed to Wynand H Louw and his practices Louw & Moerdyk and Louw & Louw The various methods used to compile the list will be described, including extensive study tours, the use of Louw’s diaries, the use of social media platforms, and the extensive use of books written about South African churches and congregations. The list will document all available information on Louw’s ecclesiastical projects. 1.5.3 Case studies Fifteen churches designed by Louw and his architectural practices were selected from a potential 110 to demonstrate the evolution of the design approach and principles over 50 years, but also to indicate some deviations from the norms and trends, and to consider the reasons for this. 1.6 LITERATURE REVIEW 1.6.1 Introduction and initial broad overview The primary focus of the dissertation is on the life and work of Wynand H Louw as a church architect. Therefore, initial research entailed a broad overview of information readily available on the internet to ascertain which and how many ecclesiastical buildings he designed. This was followed by interviewing some of his family members, and perusing books they authored. The book So het ons hom geken, written by his widow Mabel A Louw9 (1889-1977) soon after his death, gave insight into his life and impact on society. The book includes various tributes by a number of well-known contemporaries as well as by his colleagues and family members. The book Pêrel van die Paarl, by Henri Louw (1892-1988), his brother and partner of Louw & Louw, as well as an unpublished document called Lewensskets, written by Henri shortly before his death in 1988 and compiled by his eldest son Wynand Louw, gave further insight into Louw’s life, but more specifically the work of Wynand and Henri as architects. This, together with lists of 9 MA Louw (Geldenhuys, née Norval) is the author’s late grandmother. As such, the author has access to Louw family information that might not be readily available to all. Page | 7 churches designed by Louw and his practices obtained from family members and internet sources such as the websites artefacts.co.za, Wikipedia.com, and gemeentegeskiedenis.co.za (of the DRC Archives in Stellenbosch), assisted the author in compiling a preliminary list of about 90 ecclesiastical buildings designed by Louw and his practices. Whilst sometimes conflicting or incorrect, the initial research and resultant list launched the author on a journey of researching and exploring the impact that Wynand H Louw made on South African reformed church architecture (Louw, 1975; Louw, 1968; Louw, 1987). 1.6.2 Preliminary literature overview The preliminary literature review was focused on compiling as complete a list as possible of all ecclesiastical buildings designed by Louw and his practices. Extensive use was made of books written about the history of the Cape Reformed Church and its congregations.10 While most of the books focused on church history, culture, and the lives and contributions of dominees (pastors), with very limited (if any) reference to church architecture or architects and builders, some information could be gleaned from it, mainly as pointers to further research. The books by Philippe Menache, Jan Hoevers, and Henk Oosthuysen provide more information on the topics, but are not considered to be based on extensive scientific research. As will be shown in Chapter 3 substantial further research was required, making use of a variety of methods to compile a complete list of buildings. 1.6.3 Further literature review To better understand the context of Louw’s work, it was necessary to embark on a more detailed review of the literature with the emphasis on academic books, dissertations, and articles about and from the period before 1910, some of which might have been accessible to Louw during the early formative years of his career as an architect.11 10 These include Ons Kerkalbum van Hollandsche Kerken en Leeraren, Ons Gemeentelike Feesalbum, NG Kerk 350, Die Moeder van ons Almal, Van Kerke en Dorpe, 101 Kerke, 101 Country Churches, A Platteland Pilgrimage, Church Tourism in South Africa (which has a section focused on Wynand Louw), Die NG Kerk – ons erfenis (which includes some information on some of the more important church architects) and many Feesalbums of the various DRC congregations written to commemorate centennials and semicentennials. (Maeder and Zinn, 1917; Olivier and Geldenhuys, 1952; Hopkins HC, 1965; Oosthuizen, 2000; Hofmeyr, 2002; Hoevers, 2010; Menache and David, 2010, 2012, 2015; Menache and Wolff, 2021) 11 The researched sources included the following: a. Books and academic dissertations on architecture and church architecture in general. b. Academic dissertations and articles about the history of church architecture. c. Books, academic dissertations and articles on South African church architecture and architects. d. Books about the history of the DRC and its congregations. e. Photographical books about South African churches. f. Books about South African history with a focus on the period 1890-1940. g. Books about the Louw family. h. Wynand Louw’s cryptic diaries from 1906 to 1965. http://www.gemeentegeskiedenis/ Page | 8 1.7 STRUCTURE OF AND LAYOUT OF DISSERTATION Chapter 1 offers a broad overview as an introduction to the dissertation. Chapter 2 introduces the reader to Wynand H Louw. It covers the Louw family history and sketches the story of the family farm Labori et Picardi. Thereafter follow brief details on his early and later family, cultural and social life. It elaborates on his life as a student and trainee architect, discusses possible influences during this time and ends with a graphic overview of his professional career. Chapter 3 takes the reader on a journey of literature reviews, physical study tours of some 40 000 km across South Africa, and finally some internet searching, making use of specific platforms. The goal of this journey was to compile a chronological list of all ecclesiastical buildings designed by Wynand H Louw and his architectural practices. This is presented in Appendices E to H as a visual record of his more than 160 ecclesiastical projects. A summary of the list of ecclesiastical projects gives more detail, data, and references on the projects in chronological order. Chapter 4 strives to provide context. It first grapples with the question of what church architecture is, or could be, or should be. Next follows a broad overview of the evolution of church architecture over three millennia up to the early 17th century. This is followed by an overview of the church architecture of the Western world after the 16th century Reformation and the following Counter-Reformation. Chapter 5 is an overview of Cape and South African church architecture from 1652 until the late 19th century. A list of the most prominent 19th-century-born reformed church architects of South Africa is presented in Appendix I. The Socioeconomic, political, and administrative environment of the post-South African War era is discussed followed by an overview of the most prominent South African-based reformed church architects of the early 20th century – Louw’s contemporaries. Chapter 6 discusses the intent and rationale of 15 case studies. The case studies discuss the history, architectural style, internal layout, and some later additions to buildings of the selected ecclesiastical projects, each ending with a discussion of where the building fits into the evolution of Louw’s design ideas. Chapter 7 discusses the evolution of Louw’s approach to church design over 50 years. It attempts to answer the why: why did Louw feel the need to move away from the Page | 9 prevailing eclectic neo-Gothic church design approach? And then the where: where did his inspiration come from? It considers the relevance of Louw’s approach to church architecture and concludes with the reason why De Zuid-Afrikaanse Akademie voor Taal, Letteren en Kunst was correct in 1940 when it honoured him with a medal for his contribution to architecture and lauded him to be the first Afrikaans-speaking architect who brought about a radical change in the field of reformed church architecture. Chapter 8 constitutes a conclusion. Page | 10 2. AN INTRODUCTION TO WYNAND HENDRIK LOUW (1883-1967) 2.1 THE LOUW FAMILY HISTORY Wynand Hendrik Louw12 was a member of the 8th generation of Louws in South Africa. The South African founding father, Jan Pietersz(oon), was born in Caspel ter Mare which is assumed to be close to the present Bovenkarspel in Northern Holland. His birthdate was probably 1 March 1628. His parents were Pieter Janszoon and Anna. Their surnames are unknown. Jan Pietersz married Hubbeke Reijniers in the Netherlands (date unknown) but arrived alone in the Cape on board the Gecroondes Leeuw on 16 December 1659 as a craftsman. A year later 50% of a 40-morgen farm called Louwsvliet in the Groenevelt area close to Rondebosje (present Rondebosch) on the banks of the Liesbeeck River (vliet in Dutch) was transferred to him. The word louw is believed to be derived from the Dutch term luwte van de berg, or the lee of the mountain. Rondebosch is relatively wind free. Jan signed the deed of the farm with an X. Five days later, on 20 January 1660, he became a Vryburger (Free Burgher). On 23 August 1661 Jan (also called Broertje) married Beatrix Weijman of Utrecht only eight days after her arrival at the Cape on board of De Jonge Prins van Hoorn on 15 August. They had five children. The first time the surname Louw appeared on the official Cape records was in 1689. That was 30 years after Jan’s arrival at the Cape. It is assumed that he was called Jan or Broertje of Louwsvliet, and eventually became known as Jan Louw (Louw and Malan, 1984: 1-35). Figure 2.1: Louw surname in the VOC 1689 Muster roll (Louw and Malan, 1984: 39) 12 Wynand Louw’s genealogy = ab5c1d6e6f2g9h7. Refer to Appendix B Page | 11 The Louw family farmed as vryburgers for almost seven decades – the longest of any vryburgers in the area. During that time there were five Commanders, seven Governors and five acting officials in control of the Cape for the VOC. The family survived drought, storms, wars against the first nations, stock theft, rinderpest, grasshopper plagues, two earthquakes, the smallpox epidemic, and the constant mismanagement and trade restrictions of the VOC (Louw and Malan, 1984: 36-61). Adriaan Jacobus Louw13 bought the farm Labori et Picardi in Paarl in 1842. His 9th child, Tobias Johannes14, continued farming on Labori et Picardi. Wynand Hendrik Louw, his 7th child of a total of 16, was born on Labori et Picardi on 17 February 1883. Figure 2.2: The ten brothers Louw: Eben, Henri, Frank, George, Tobie, Louis, Wynand, Charles, John, Attie and Tobie Sr (Louw [C], no date) 2.2 A SHORT HISTORY OF THE FARM LABORI ET PICARDI Wynand Louw’s house of birth was the stately Cape Dutch homestead Labori15, built in the late 18th century and probably designed by Louis Michel Thibault, who is hailed as the first formally educated and trained architect who took up residence in the Cape.16 13 Adriaan Jacobus Louw genealogy = ab5c1d6e6f2. Refer to Appendix B 14 Tobias Johannes Louw genealogy = ab5c1d6e6f2g9. Refer to Appendix B 15 The original name of Labori was La Brie. Presently the farm is called Laborie. 16 Thibault was born in Picardy, France in 1750 and studied at the Royal Academy of Architecture in Paris. After also studying Military Engineering Lieutenant Thibault arrived in Cape Town in 1783. In 1786 he was appointed as Company Building Inspector by the VOC. He soon started to design public buildings and private residences. He was assisted by sculptor and artist Anton Anreith who was born in Freiburg, Germany and arrived in the Cape as a soldier in the service of the VOC in 1777. In 1789 a young architect and builder, Hermann Schutte, born in Bremen, Germany also arrived at the Cape. At this time the VOC was almost bankrupt and all work on public buildings were halted. Commissions for the construction of private projects however continued unabated. Schutte was released from the services of the VOC in 1792, Page | 12 In 1691 the farm Labori was transferred to the 15-year-old French Huguenot Jean Taillefert. His father Isaac became the owner of the adjacent farm Picardi at the same time. Both farms comprised 60 morgens and were previously a wilderness against the slopes of the Paarl Mountains. Isaac was a wine farmer by trade and arrived at the Cape on board the Oosterland in 1688. The father and son soon produced some of the best wines in the Cape, that was comparable to the lesser wines of Champagne according to the French travel writer Legaut. Figure 2.3: Laborie Manor House (2022) The farms remained in the Taillefert bloodline for 151 years, albeit via sons-in-law, etc., until Jacob de Villiers, who had no descendants, sold it in 1842 to Adriaan Jacobus Louw, Wynand’s grandfather. Labori was sold to the KWV in 1972 and is now called Laborie. Labori remained in the Louw family for 130 years, while a part of Picardi still remains in the Louw family 180 years later.17 Laborie still produces quality wines (De Villiers, 1960; Albertyn, 2002: 5-10; Fransen, 2004: 300-301). but Thibault continued to serve the succession of rulers of the Cape, finally as the Government Surveyor from 1811 until his death in 1815. Through an informal association, the three worked together on various building projects. Anreith’s student, a certain Andreas Georg Hendrik Teubes, whom he supposedly trained at the Military School, is said to be the first architect to be born and trained in the Cape, but no record of his works yet have been identified (Pearse, 1933: 29- 36). 17 Refer to Appendix C for a flow diagram of the ownership of Labori et Picardi over the years. Page | 13 2.3 THE WYNAND LOUW LIFE STORY 2.3.1 Early life Wynand grew up on the farm Labori et Picardi as one of ten brothers and two sisters. Two siblings died very young, and his half-brother and half-sister were born long after he started practising as an architect. Wynand was baptised and grew up as a member of the Calvinist DRC Strooidakkerk (thatch roof church) congregation in Paarl. The church with its typical Greek cross-shaped Cape Dutch styled preekkerk is the oldest surviving church building still in use for its original purpose (refer to paragraph 5.1.3.2 or more information). The 12 Louw siblings were schooled on the farm by governesses: the elder five by Miss Van Eeden and the younger ones by Miss Kirsten. From an early age, Wynand showed an interest in sketching and painting the buildings on the farm and the surrounding mountains. He was encouraged by Professor Hofmeyr of the Theological Seminary who was a regular visitor to the farm and gifted him his precious first set of watercolour paints. Another future professor of the same institution dominee Moorrees also observed his practical talent in design and gave him an authoritative book on woodwork (Louw, 1975: 18, 24, 40-42). Wynand went to Paarl Boys’ High School where he matriculated in 1898. He then attended the Normaalkollege (Normaal School) in Roeland Street, Cape Town. There he lived with his aunt, who was married to dominee CFJ Muller who was the pastor of the DRC Tamboerskloof. When Muller was appointed as a professor at the DRC Theological Seminary in Stellenbosch in 1900, Wynand followed the family and continued his studies at Victoria College (which would later become the University of Stellenbosch (Louw, 1975: 24). Wynand showed talent and an interest in art, woodwork and building sciences from an early age. He was encouraged by professors, pastors and artists visiting the family farm. After completiing his studies at Victoria College, he spent time on the family farm concentrating on woodwork, but then joined the architectural practice of the Paarl-born Johan CE Seeliger (1863-1938) in Cape Town in 1901 as an apprenticed draughtsman. They became life-long friends. Seeliger, born in 1863 in Paarl to German parents, trained as an architect at the Baugewerkschule in Berlin from 1887 to 1889. According to Elzet Albertyn (1962-2020) (1992: 82), he was the first formally trained South African-born architect. Seeliger opened his practice in Cape Town in 1890 and designed the Page | 14 Goedverwacht Mission Church in 1896 and the Zionskirche in Cape Town in 1897. Amongst other projects, Louw gained experience in the design of a building for 30 Keerom Street, which would in 1915 become the well-known address of De Burger and De Nationale Pers (presently Naspers) (Louw, 1968: 52-53; Booyens and Schoeman, 2017: 5, 8-9). Wynand’s father was a successful grape farmer and businessman in Paarl, which was one of the epicentres of the birth of the Afrikaans language. The pro-Afrikaans sentiment was partly the result of many attempts at the anglicisation of the Dutch inhabitants of the Cape and beyond, first by Lord Charles Somerset from 1822 and again by Alfred Milner from 1901 in the concentration camp schools in the Transvaal and the Orange Free State during the South African War. The Genootskap van Regte Afrikaners was established on a farm in Paarl late in 1875. The Genootskap published the first edition of the Afrikaans-language newspaper Die Afrikaanse Patriot on 15 January 1876 in Paarl. During a visit to the Imperial rulers in the Cape in 1883 Paul Kruger, President of the ZAR, visited the Louw family on their farm. In 1900 the Afrikaanse Christelike Vrouevereniging (ACVV) held a conference supported by the DRC, which was attended by 1 300 women on the Labori farm, where they protested the scorched-earth policy of Kitchener in the South African War (Louw, 1975: 15, 47; Ross, 2004: 55-60). Richard Steyn writes in his book Milner: Last of the Empire-builders that in early 1903, Colonial Secretary Joseph Chamberlain and his entourage were well received in the Cape Colony by most, including Afrikaner Bond party members, “though not at Paarl, where the couple’s reception was noticeably less welcoming than elsewhere” (Steyn, 2022: 198). In 1904 Louw attended Paul Kruger’s funeral in Pretoria (Louw, 1968: 7). It should be clear that the Louws of Labori et Picardi were no supporters of the ‘Empire Builders’ of the Cape. Louw was influenced by the well-known artist Hugo Naudé (1869- 1941) who regularly visited the family farm to paint. Naudé instilled a love for South African and Cape Dutch architecture in the young Louw. This love was probably one of the reasons why Louw decided to formally study architecture. His talent and initial training, combined with the financial means of his family despite the devastating impact of phylloxera on the vineyards of the Cape, enabled him to enrol at the AA in London shortly after it started offering full-time training in architecture. The AA as institution challenged the status quo Page | 15 in architectural training and focused on the social and cultural impact of the profession (Louw, 1975: 24-28, 46, 48, 66-67). This was only three years after the Treaty of Vereeniging had brought the South African War to an end. 2.3.2 Study years in London Louw enrolled at the Architectural Association (AA) in London in 1905. He utilised his student recess periods to tour England, Scotland, France, and Norway, to broaden his exposure to European architecture. Late in 1906 he fell ill with a lung ailment and was advised by his doctor to go to Hastings for six weeks to recuperate. He managed to complete the RIBA18 Intermediary exams before he had to return to South Africa in December of the same year due to health challenges.19 Unlike the norm at the time, he could therefore not take up employment in Europe to enable him to write the final exams of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) to join their membership. Poor health remained a challenge for Louw for the rest of his life. These were the early influences on Louw’s development and some of his first challenges. 2.3.3 Architectural career in brief An economy still recovering from a post-war recession and discrimination by the authorities against Afrikaans and Dutch professionals impacted Louw after his return to South Africa as an aspiring young architect. He was unable to obtain any architectural commissions from the Cape Government. After a brief holiday with his family to recuperate from his illness, Louw settled in Paarl and received his first commission as an architect in August 1907. It entailed emergency repairs to the gable wall of a Carl Otto Hager-designed DRC church in Heidelberg, Cape (Van Zyl, 2005: 44). Soon thereafter, in December 1907, he was appointed to design a new church hall for the DRC Strooidakkerk in Paarl. 18 For more information about RIBA refer to www.architecture.com 19 According to a letter dated 14 December 1906 from Gordon Leith to Wynand Louw the latter scored well in the top half while the former was 20th from the bottom Leith also mentions the fact that Louw will not be able to write his final RIBA exam due to his illness. The letter forms part of the Louw Family Collection held at Die Hoogte. Louw’s 1906 diary stated that the testimonials required for this exam had to be submitted by 6 October. It also listed medicine for his lung ailment. Refer to Appendix G. (Louw [B], no date) http://www.architecture.com/ Page | 16 Because of a lack of further architectural design work in his hometown Paarl, and despite a commission to design a new church building for DRC Port Elizabeth, Louw accepted a position as junior architect at the Transvaal Public Works Department (PWD) in Pretoria in 1909 where, during and after the rule of the Milner regime, all architectural designs were based on the imperial guidelines of that era. As a proponent of anticolonialism, he must have found it contrary to his convictions. Louw’s extended family included many relatives as dominees (pastors) of the Dutch Reformed Church (DRC). During his time at PWD Louw was approached by his uncle dominee AF Louw from DRC Heidelberg, Transvaal, to develop concepts for residences for the new Normaalskool that the congregation was establishing. During this time the DRC Heidelberg church tower collapsed, and Louw was asked to design and oversee the reconstruction project. This commission allowed him to leave PWD and relaunch his architectural practice late in 1909. He therefore had more time to dedicate to the construction phase of the Port Elizabeth (now Gqeberha) project. Louw established himself in Paarl as a leading architect, especially as designer of ecclesiastical buildings. Commissions from Old Mutual, KWV, Sanlam, Santam, Potchefstroom University (now North-West University), and the University of Stellenbosch ensured the continued growth of his practice. Many aspiring young Afrikaans architects started their careers in the Louw practice and moved on to establish their own successful careers in practice and academia.20 Louw was one of the first South African architects to design commercial buildings in the Modernist style, such as the Waalburg, and Mutual Heights buildings in Cape Town (refer to paragraph 2.6 for a chronology of Louw’s professional career spanning five decades). After four distinct periods of architectural practices21, Louw retired in 1957 from the Louw & Louw partnership, but he continued with a select few projects until 1967.22 23 He became an honorary life member of the Institute of South African Architects (ISAA) in 1964. 20 The architects employed by Louw include AL Meiring, DFH Naudé, and HL Brink. 21 The Louw (1907-1921), Louw & Moerdyk (1921-1927), Louw & Louw (1927-1950) and the Louw & Louw (Wollie Bronkhorst) (1951-1957) periods are further discussed in paragraphs 2.6 and 3.8.1 to 3.8.4. 22 Wynand’s brother Henri Louw who joined him as a partner in 1928 continued with the Louw & Louw practice after Wynand’s retirement. Some of Henri’s notable projects include an office building for DRC Groote Kerk in Cape Town, residences for High School Jan van Riebeeck, various schools and hospitals, the Head Office for SANLAM in Bellville (with Meiring & Naudé), and industrial buildings for Nasionale Pers in Bree Street, Cape Town. Henri retired in 1975 and passed away in 1988. (Louw, 1987, 14-17) 23Their brother George (Geo) Louw continued to work for the Louw & Louw Bloemfontein office after Louw & Moerdyk was dissolved. He later became a building contractor. He passed away in Bloemfontein in 1970. Page | 17 2.3.4 Family life Wynand married Maria Norval (1885-1949) in May 1912 in Colesberg. She grew up on the farm Gideonskraal near Norvalspont in the Great Karoo and attended Girl’s High School in Paarl where Louw first met her. They settled in Paarl in a house designed by Louw, called Die Hoogte, next to Main Street on a part of his father’s farm that he had bought. His brother George (1887-1970) assisted him with the construction work - the first of many projects on which they joined forces. Wynand and Maria had four children named Hanna, Tobie, Norval and Sophie. Tobie later became an architect. Maria passed away in 1949 after an operation. In March 1951 Wynand met Maria’s cousin Mabel Geldenhuys (née Norval) again after initially meeting her at Gideonskraal in 1904 on his way to Paul Kruger’s funeral in Pretoria. He proposed to her soon afterwards and Mabel’s son, Norval Geldenhuys (1918-1964), confirmed their marriage in Pretoria in June 1951 (Louw, 1968: 7-10). , Figure 2.4: Maria and Wynand Louw c1910 (Louw [B], no date) Figure 2.5: Mabel and Wynand Louw on their wedding day in 1951 (Geldenhuys, no date) Louw passed away on 21 August 1967 at his home Die Hoogte, Paarl. Eulogies by Nasionale Pers, prof AL (Attie) Meiring, JDP van der Merwe of ISAA, amongst others, and many articles in Die Burger, Die Kerkbode, SA Architectural Record, etc. attested to his stature as a person. Letters from well-known individuals including CR Swart, Albert and Katie Hertzog, JB Vorster, Recht Malan, Phil Weber, Kosie and Bettie Gericke, Jac Muller, JG Meiring, Kobus Meiring, Piet Meiring, Jan FE Cilliers, etc. addressed to Mabel Louw, confirmed his stature as a gentleman and aristocratic architect (Louw, 1968: 45- 56,64-100). Page | 18 Figure 2.6: Louw family tombstones at DRC Strooidakkerk, Paarl (2023) Mabel Louw returned to Vrede in the Free State where she lived on a farm with her youngest daughter. She completed her memoirs of Wynand Louw in 1968 (Louw, 1968). She passed away in 1977. 2.3.5 Cultural and social life Wynand was active in church and cultural circles. He was keenly involved in the Helpmekaar Vereniging, which was created to assist Afrikaners who were financially impacted by the aftermath of the 1914 Rebellion. Later he became a trustee of the Pieter Neethling Fund that supported Afrikaans Workers’ Union movements such as the Mynwerkersunie (Mineworkers’ Union). He was a director of Nasionale Pers from the 1930s until his death. Louw became a member of Die Suid-Afrikaanse Akademie vir Wetenskap en Kuns in 1941, shortly after the Academy honoured him for his contribution to Architecture. He was also closely involved with the General Missions Commission of the DRC from 1945 until his death and assisted a number of mission churches financially and with church designs. He financially assisted quite a number of students to study Architecture and Theology. He was famous for handing out baskets of grapes to all and sundry. Nasionale Pers staff looked forward to his annual handout at 30 Keerom Street (Louw, 1968: 19-23). Page | 19 Figure 2.7: Photo by Hertzog of Wynand Louw’s last Pieter Neethling Fund meeting on 21 January 1967 at Die Hoogte (Louw, 1968, 73) Figure 2.8: Certificate of membership of Die Suid-Afrikaanse Akademie vir Wetenskap en Kuns, dated 1959 (Louw [B], no date) Page | 20 2.4 ARCHITECTURAL TRAINING IN THE EARLY 20TH CENTURY 2.4.1 Background At the end of the 19th century, the only way to be trained as an architect in South Africa was through an articled pupillage with an existing architectural practice. This was also the case in the rest of the British Empire. There were tertiary architectural schools in France (École des Beaux-Arts, 1648), Germany (Karlsruhe, 1825), Holland (Polytechnic School, TU Delft, 1864, with Eugen Gugel as first professor), and even the United States (MIT School of Architecture, 1868, with William R Ware as first professor)24, but in Britain, the only way to become an architect was by joining an architectural practice as an articled pupil. This way of doing was open to exploitation, and pupils were often just cheap or free labour who received little and/or inferior training (Bakker, 2014: 9-14; Chewning, 1986: 9-35). Figure 2.9 Extract from Kirkby, 1905 (Kirkby, 1905: 416) In 1905 RG Kirkby (1875-1962) delivered an address to the Joint Meeting of the British and South African Associations for the Advancement of Science extolling the virtues of proper theoretical training for architects and pleading for the establishment of formal tertiary training for architects in South Africa. Kirkby (1905: 418) stated: The Architectural Association's day school in London is chiefly responsible for this welcome change. The school is opened to enable students to study the principles of design and construction, together with the study of the history of architecture and its development in different countries. Two years' attendance at such a school should be given by the student, who will thus equip himself for his more advanced work in the architect's office. The advantage of such 24 For more information refer to www.mit.edu http://www.mit.edu/ Page | 21 study is obvious, as the student thereby learns to translate the problems in planning placed before him with an ease which greatly facilitates his progress -in after-life. It is gratifying to see that some of our Universities are giving that place to architecture which it deserves, and are accepting part of the course for the B.A. degree. In this connexion the Board of Architectural Education at the Royal Institute has opened a new era in architectural training. Kirkby (1905: 422-423) continued: There are practically no existing facilities in South Africa for architectural students to obtain the necessary training…It is time that properly organised and equipped schools should be started in South Africa in order to give the son of the soil the same privileges as in other countries. There is a crying need for a faculty of architecture to be fully developed in connexion with our university colleges, technical institutes and schools of art. Till additional means are provided to enable the young South African to obtain a proper theoretical training, we can only hope to turn out rule-of-thumb men. Kirkby raised the hope that the Transvaal Technical Institute would attempt to establish a school of architecture. His appeal for formal training in South Africa however took many years to materialise. Such was the landscape facing a prospective student of architecture in South Africa under British rule in the years after the South African War. 2.4.2 The first architectural schools in South Africa The first Professor of Architecture at the Transvaal University College (which would later become the University of the Witwatersrand) was only appointed in 1921. He was Geoffrey Eastcott Pearse (1885-1968), born in Riverton, Natal. Pearse studied part-time at the Transvaal University College for four years while working as an articled pupil at Brown & Cottrill. He left for England in 1907 to attend lectures at the Technical Institute in Regent Street, London, studying under Bannister Fletcher amongst others. He was also assisted by EW Sloper of Tin Temple25, a former partner of Herbert Baker. Sloper later assisted Pearse to find a position with Leonard Stokes the then President of RIBA (Herbert, 1975: 5-11). The University of Cape Town only appointed Leonard William Thornton-White (1901- 1965) in 1936 as its first Professor of Architecture. Thornton-White was born in Uppingham, England and articled as a pupil at the architectural practice of Dr J Bilson in Hull where he stayed until 1927. After postgraduate studies in London and Europe, he lectured at the London Polytechnic School of Architecture. In 1931 he was appointed as 25 Tin Temple: the makeshift corrugated iron Johannesburg municipal offices were later used to house the Wits School of Architecture until 1925. Page | 22 vice-principal of the Architectural Association but moved to Cape Town in 1937 (Herbert, 1975: 12-19, 176-177). The University of Pretoria appointed Adriaan (Attie) Louw Meiring (1904-1979) as its first Professor of Architecture in 1943. Meiring who was born in Johannesburg joined the practice of Wynand H Louw in Paarl in 1926 as a junior draughtsman after the completion of his studies in Philosophy and Languages at the University of Cape Town. He was the son of dominee PGJ Meiring who was pastor of the DRC Strooidakkerk from 1907 until 1921. He was soon transferred to the newly established Louw & Louw practice in Cape Town in 1927. Meiring left in 1929 to study at the University of Liverpool School of Architecture, probably as a bursar of Louw & Louw. His later partner DFH Naudé (1905- 1967), also an employee of Louw & Louw, joined him there as a student. After their return to South Africa, both continued to work at Louw & Louw until they formed their own partnership called Meiring & Naudé26 (Louw, 1987: 12; Fisher, 2015: 7-11; Barker, 2019: 6-10). The University of the Free State established its architectural school in 1955. G Quine Lay, who studied at the University of London before obtaining his PhD at the University of the Witwatersrand, was appointed as the first professor at the School of Architecture (University of the Free State, 2006: 188). 2.4.3 Options for tertiary training in architecture in Europe In the absence of any formal institutions for tertiary training in architecture in South Africa, Wynand Louw had limited options. These were the Polytechnic School, TU Delft in the Netherlands, or the Architectural Association (AA) in London. Studying in Germany, France or America were not realistic options. Ironically to study in Dutch was probably more intimidating than to do so in English. The Cape had been a British colony since 1806 and the young Louw was probably much more familiar with English than Dutch despite the fact that the latter was still generally being used in the Dutch Reformed Church during Sunday sermons. While there was a strong presence of Dutch architects in the ZAR until 1901 the Cape was dominated by British architects (Walker, 2018: 7- 167). The AA in London was therefore probably the obvious choice. 26 More information is available from the website of the university: History of the Department, University of Pretoria Department of Architecture, https://www.up.ac.za/architecture/article/3086652/department-overview, viewed on 2022-09- 29. More about Meiring is available on the Artefacts website: www.artefacts.co.za https://www.up.ac.za/architecture/article/3086652/department-overview http://www.artefacts.co.za/ Page | 23 The Architectural Association (AA) was established by Robert Kerr (1823-1904) and Charles Gray in 1847 after a merger with the existing Association for Architectural Draughtsmen (AAD). They wanted to offer an alternative to the practice of training aspiring architects by articled pupillage to established architects. They believed the prevailing practice offered no guarantee of quality or professionalism and the system was often abused. The AA initially met at the Lyon’s Inn Hall, Strand, London on alternative Friday evenings for 12 years. Most meetings were design classes: a subject was announced and all members who attended brought their own sketches. There were no instructors and members learned from each other via informal discussions. Sometimes papers were read by members themselves. Guest speakers (‘visitors’) were only invited to the annual Conversazione. In 1859 the AA moved to 9 Conduit Street. The next move was to Great Marlborough Street in 1890. Up to that time, it was a purely voluntary association albeit a highly organised educational institution without any paid officials. The AA School was formally established in 1890 and was the first such institution in the British Empire. Under the presidency of Leonard Stokes (1889-1892), then only 31, it was finally realised that a proper and methodical system of education was required with more formal lectures, paid lecturers, better access to an improved library and a paid assistant secretary. The ‘visitor’ system was retained for advanced classes and the need for a day school was identified. A four-year course with a formal curriculum equally divided into junior and senior divisions was established. The school was self-funded by members’ subscription fees. Eventually, in 1901, the AA decided to establish the envisaged day school. Arthur T Bolton (1864-1945) was appointed as the first Master of the School. About 230 students attended the various night and day classes. More space was required and in 1903 the AA moved to 18 Tufton Street after the Royal Architectural Museum gifted the AA their building and collection. HPG Maule succeeded Bolton (1903 – 1913). He modified the curriculum into six divisions: two day classes, two evening classes and two evening lectures. By then the day school started to assume the primary position (Summerson, 1947: 1-50). Page | 24 Figure 2.10: 18 Tufton Street (Summerson, 1947: Figure 6) 2.4.4 Louw’s tertiary training in London When Wynand Louw enrolled at the AA in London in 1905 he attended classes and lectures at Tufton Street (Figure 2.10), probably mostly in the evenings as a senior student (Figure 2.12). One of the lecturers of the 1905 – 1906 session was Banister Fletcher (1866-1953) who taught on Outlines of Mediaeval and Renaissance Architecture in Europe from 11 January to 29 March 1906 (Figure 2.13). Prof FE Hulme (1841-1909) taught geometrical drawing. Drawing was very close to Louw’s heart from an early age, and it was probably one of his favourite subjects. From 1905 to 1907, Gordon E Leith (1886-1965) also studied at the AA27 (Figure 2.11) (The Architectural Association, 1905: 29-31). Figures 2.11 and 2.12: Architectural Association night class group of 1906-1907 showing Leith and the AA Members Roll showing Louw (AA Archives, no date) 27 Only Edwin Osman Payne (born in Durban in 1877, educated in Durban and Sheffield and articled in Durban) and his older brother Wilfred Stonehouse Payne (born in 1876 and educated in London) studied at the AA before Louw and Leith (from 1897). They had British parents. Both became Associates of RIBA(ARIBA) in 1902. They established Payne & Payne in Durban in 1903. They are considered to be the first South African-born individuals to be tertiary-trained professionally registered architects. Page | 25 The AA School (2023: online) states on its website that from its inception: It aimed to challenge the established ways in which architecture was taught, argued and theorised at the time and urged its members to reconsider the commonplace social and cultural responsibilities of the profession at large – aspirations that remain at the heart of the school today. Figures 2.13 and 2.14: Extracts from the 1905-1906 Brown Book of the Architectural Association (Architectural Association, 1905: 29, 31) 2.5 A SUMMARY OF POTENTIAL INFLUENCES ON WYNAND LOUW DURING HIS LONDON YEARS Academic books and articles on architecture which Louw might have been exposed to during this formative time include the following: Leon Battista Alberti (1404-1472). The Italian Renaissance artist, author, architect, cryptographer, poet, priest, and philosopher published De re aedificatoria (On the art of building) in 1485 – it was patterned after De architectura by Vitruvius written around 46BC. Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin (1812-1852). The English architect, artist and critic published the book Contrasts, in 1836 which he argues for the revival of Gothic architecture. This and many of his other writings are considered to be the origin of neo- Gothic architecture for churches in Britain and beyond. Pugin was a Catholic and held strong anti-Calvinist sentiments. Eugène Viollet-le-Duc (1814-1879). The French architect, author and restorer published the first volume of Entretiens sur l’architure in 1863. It was translated in 1875 by the American architect Henry van Brunt (1832-1903) as Discourses on Architecture. Page | 26 Viollet-le-Duc believed the design of a building should start from its plan and purpose, and that the decorations and exterior should follow. It was acceptable if this resulted in asymmetry. He dismissed appearances at the expense of practicality. He developed a strong following in the Americas. John Ruskin (1819-1900). The English writer and art critic’s book The seven Lamps of Architecture was published in 1849. It was followed by the Stones of Venice. Ruskin extolled Italian Gothic architecture and laid down seven moral architectural principles. With Pugin, they were the main proponents of Gothic Revival architecture in Britain. Ruskin took part in a Conversazione at the AA in 1857 arguing that there was no need for new architectural styles (Summerson, 1947: 12). Banister Fletcher (1866-1953). The standard work of this English surveyor, politician and architect, A History of Architecture on the Comparative Method (1896), was one of very few English handbooks readily available in 1905. The 20th edition was published a century later in 1996 and is very different from the original. Fletcher was a lecturer at the AA during Louw’s time there (Architectural Association, 1905: 29). In his 1896 book Fletcher discussed the following influences on early church architecture: a. Geographical (architecture modified by situations of regions). b. Geological (sources of materials: quarries, ruins of pagan temples, etc). c. Climatic (warmer climates required ventilation and smaller windows, the impact of snow on roofs, etc.). d. Religious (the rises and falls of the Roman Catholic Church, Reformation, etc.). e. Social (influence of art, political disturbances, nationalism, and new states). f. Historical (influence of Emperor Constantine, the coronation of Charlemagne, the incursion of Europe by the Huns, the sacking of Rome by the Goths). Theo Molkenboer (1871-1920). The Dutch artist and architect (Molkenboer, 1900: 367-376) stated in his article Volkskerken in De Katholiek of 1900: a. All churchgoers should have a clear view of the liturgical centre. b. The internal church space should be inclusive (no more partitioning or division between laicus and clericus or rich and poor). c. More light and better lighting: everyone should be able to read and see properly. Page | 27 d. Extreme heights are unnecessary and not conducive to good acoustics and proper heating: everyone should hear properly. e. Long naves are unacceptable because they do not enable the congregation to be gathered around the liturgical centre. Reginald Guy Kirkby (1875-1962). This engineer and architect delivered a number of papers on architectural topics during his time in Natal while in the partnership of Stott & Kirkby (from 1902 until 1908). In 1907 he served on the council of the Natal Institute of Architects. His papers and promotion of formal academic study in architecture, especially his address to the Joint Meeting of British and South African Associations for the advancement of Science in South Africa in 1905, might have encouraged Louw, Pearse, Leith, and others to enter British institutions to further their studies (Figure 2.15). Figure 2.15: Addresses and Papers of the Joint Meeting, 1905 (Kirkby, 1905, cover) The AA had a substantial library in the early 20th century. Most of the books were gifts from members and RIBA. Louw ([A], no date: 1906 diary) mentioned many books in his 1906 diary, but the following books were probably most relevant to his development as an architect: a. Gothic Architecture in England by Francis Bond b. The Builder's Journal & Architectural Record December 105 c. Bell's Handbooks to Continental Churches – 6 volumes d. Greek Architecture by T Roger Smith. e. The Cathedrals of England & Wales by TF Bumps and TW Laurie. f. Modern Buildings, their Planning, Construction & Equipment - 6 volumes by George Alexander Middleton g. Cape Times May 15, 1905 – an article by Mr Baker on South African architecture Page | 28 h. The Origin of Species and Descent of Man by Charles Darwin Louw ([A], no date: 1906 diary) also recorded a long list of the London Gothic churches designed by George Gilbert Scott (1811-1878) that he visited - complete with photographs and notes.28 There is also specific mention of a visit to the Dutch Church Austin Friars, a Gothic church dated c1253. Only the nave was made available to the Dutch Immigrants in London in 1550. Some call it the ‘Mother’ of all Dutch Reformed churches. It was destroyed in 1940 during WWII. 28 Scott, a prolific Gothic Revival architect of ecclesiastical buildings, was closely involved with the creation of the Royal Architectural Museum at Tufton Street, London, which later amalgamated with the AA when the latter moved to Tufton Street in 1903. He also lectured at the AA in the 1850s. Page | 29 2.6 WYNAND H LOUW’S PROFESSIONAL CAREER Figure 2.16: WH Louw c1910 (Louw [B], no date) 1883: Wynand H Louw born on Labori et Picardi, Paarl 1899-1902: The South African War. 1901: Louw joined Johan E Seeliger’s architectural practice in Cape Town as an apprenticed draughtsman. He gained experience on the design of 30 Keerom Street in Cape Town. Figure 2.17: Sketch of 30 Keerom Street c1905 (Die Burger: online) 1905-1906: Louw studied at the Architectural Association, London. He travelled to England, Scotland (Loch Lomond October 1906), France (Paris April 1906) and Norway, and returned to South Africa after writing the RIBA intermediary exams. Figure 2.18: The AA Members Roll showing Louw (AA Archives, no date) new church = new church hall = renovation and/or enlargement of church building = Page | 30 1907: After a brief vacation with his family Louw received his first commission for architectural work. This entailed urgent repairs to the CO Hager-designed DRC Heidelberg, Cape church gable wall which was on the verge of collapse despite recent repair work. The spires had to be removed and the church was demolished in 1911. This was the first of many repair projects of Hager-designed churches. On 4 November the kerkraad of DRC Strooidakkerk Paarl appointed Louw to design a new church hall – his first commission for a new building. Figures 2.19 and 2.20: DRC Strooidakkerk, Paarl, Church Hall (2022 and DRC Strooidakkerk church office) 1908: Louw travelled extensively in search of new commissions. 1908: DRC Strooidakkerk Paarl Church Hall 1908: Depression in the Cape due to a slump in diamond sales and accentuated by the financial crisis in America. 1909: Because of a lack of work Louw accepted an appointment as a junior architect for the Transvaal Department of Public Works, Pretoria. First day: 25 March. Last day: 25 September. Figures 2.21, 2.22, 2.23 and 2.24: Extracts from WH Louws 1909 diary (Louw [A], n.d. 1909) Page | 31 1909: + In January Louw received an appointment to design the first new church building for DRC Port Elizabeth – a culmination of his 1908 marketing efforts. After providing concepts for new Heidelberg College residences, he received a commission for the repair of the fallen tower of the DRC Heidelberg on 25 October. Figure 2.25: DRC Port Elizabeth (Maeder and Zinn, 1917: 47) 1910: Formation of the Union of South Africa. Figure 2.26: Coat of Arms of the Union of South Africa 1910: Opened his own practice in Paarl. His brother George (Geo) joined him to assist with the construction of projects. 1910: DRC Calitzdorp & 1911: 0 1912: including DRC Ventersdorp and DRC Reitz Page | 32 1913: Travelled with Maria to America and Canada as part of a delayed honeymoon. Louw visited Boston, Philadelphia and Washington and the sketches he made during this time strongly influenced his future designs of church interiors. 1913: & + 1914: The Maritz Rebellion 1914-1918: The First World War (WWI) 1914: Built Die Hoogte in Paarl. It was used as a hospital later during WWI. Figure 2.27: Die Hoogte (2022) 1914: & 1915: 0 1916: 1917: including DRC Pietersburg + 1918: Spanish influenza epidemic 1918: & + 1919: 1920: Moved practice offices from Die Hoogte to Paarl Executors’ Chambers. Appointed HL Brink as his first qualified architect colleague. Brink was trained in Holland. Louw designed Dagbreek residence for the University of Stellenbosch which is currently still the largest residence on campus. Page | 33 Figure 2.28: Dagbreek residence (FJ Naude, 2007) 1920: including DRC Witbank 1920-1925: Supported his brother and future partner Henri Louw to study architecture at the Architectural Association. Henri was probably his first bursar. Figure 2.29: Henri Louw (supplied by Henti Louw) 1921: Geoffrey Eastcott Pearse was appointed as the first Professor of Architecture at the Transvaal University College (which would become the University of the Witwatersrand). This was the first tertiary school of architecture that was established in South Africa. 1921: Louw & Moerdyk Partnership established with offices in Paarl and Pretoria. The partnership contract was signed on 22 January 1921 in Bloemfontein. Figure 2.30: Detail of cornerstone (2020) Page | 34 1921: including DRC Amersfoort and DRC Swartruggens 1922: + 1923: Wouter de Wet (Wollie) Bronkhorst joined the practice as an apprentice on 9 September. Louw bought his first motor car – a Hudson. Figure 2.31: Wollie Bronkhorst c1965 (Die Burger, 10.9.1970) 1923: + 1924: On 20 February DFH Naudé (a nephew of the artist Hugo Naudé) joined the partnership after matriculating in Worcester. 1924: & + 1925: After working for Sir John Burnett and Partners in London and becoming an Associate of RIBA (ARIBA) Henri Louw joined the practice and opened a Louw & Moerdyk office in Bloemfontein, where Bronkhorst soon joined him. Wynand visited projects and clients in 69 towns and cities during that year. Figure 2.32: RIBA crest (RIBA: online) 1925: including Reformed Church Reddersburg Page | 35 1926: Louw won the competition to design the campus for the University of Stellenbosch, as well as many of its academic buildings, including Administration, Agriculture, Chemistry, the Library, and the swimming pool. Adriaan Louw Meiring joined the practice in Paarl as a junior after the completion of his studies in Philosophy and Languages at the University of Cape Town. He was the son of dominee PGJ Meiring who was pastor of the DRC Strooidakkerk from 1907 until 1921. 1926/7: Louw and Moerdyk’s partnership dissolved: process initiated on 26/3/1926. Figure 2.33: Extract by Wynand H Louw Jr of his father Tobie’s notes made based on the WH Louw 1926 diary (Louw, WH Jr, 2023) 1926: including DRC Marquard and DRC Lindley 1927: Establishment of the Institute of South African Architects (ISAA). Wynand, Henri and George Louw joined the Institute as members, despite Wynand’s initial opposition to its creation because he was concerned about the lack of facilities for tertiary training in architecture in South Africa at the time. 1927: Louw & Louw Partnership established with Henri as the new partner. Henri, Wollie Bronkhorst and George Louw still operated from the Bloemfontein office. AL Meiring studied at the University of Liverpool School of Architecture, probably as a bursar of Louw & Louw. DFH Naudé joined him there as a student. Figure 2.34: Louw & Louw letterhead dated 16 June 1927 (Louw [B], no date) Page | 36 Figures 2.35 and 2.36: Cornerstones of DRC Hertzogville Church Hall and DRC Parow Vallei (2020) 1927: incl. DRC Napier & + 1928: Designed Paarl Town Hall Figure 2.37: Paarl Town Hall (2023) 1928: DRC Greytown & + 1929 – 1939: The Great Depression 1929: Henri Louw won the competition for the design of the Main Building for the Potchefstroom University. Figure 2.38: Potchefstroom University Main Building c1930 (Louw, 1975: 72) Page | 37 1929: & 1930: Louw travelled to Hungary for the International Congress of Architects. He also travelled to the USA. These travels influenced his ideas about the Modernist design approach to high-rise buildings. He also designed the Cathedral Cellar of the KWV. Figure 2.39: KWV Cathedral Cellar (Louw [B], no date) 1930’s: Henri moved to Cape Town to open a Louw & Louw office and to design the new Sanlam building – later called the Waalburg building. AL Meiring returned to Louw & Louw in Cape Town to work on Sanlam’s Waalburg project as Chief Assistant Architect in 1934. He established Meiring & Naude with DFH Naudé as a partner in 1938 soon after the latter’s return to South Africa. AL Meiring would become the first professor of Architecture at the University of Pretoria in 1943. DFH Naudé’s daughter, Prof Adèle Naudé Santos is an internationally acclaimed architect and academic. She obtained her first architectural degree at the AA. Figure 2.40: Waalburg Building (2023) Page | 38 1930: DRC Die Strand and DRC Bethlehem West + 1931: DRC Elliot 1932: 0 1933: 1934: Extensive study tour with FM Glennie to New York and other parts of the USA and Europe in preparation of the Old Mutual project in Cape Town. 1934: 1935: Reformed Church De Aar & 1936: Designed the Cape Dutch buildings for the Empire Exhibition. 1936: University of Cape Town School of Architecture was established with Leonard William Thornton-White as first professor. 1936: DRC Warrenton 1937: DRC Riviersonderend & 1938: DRC Karasburg 1939