Building Design Group - BDG - Durban 1968-1977 : A study of the Practice, the buildings and the projects. Paul Sanders


History of Architecture

"This publication represents an important step in starting to construct an architectural history of our recent past - not only because this needs to be done urgently but also because of the choice of practice. Building Design Group were responsible for some of the most inspiring architecture - both built and un-built that was produced in South Africa in the latter part of the twentieth century. Their importance had as much to do with how they worked, how their office was organised and the implicit values that were conatined in the architecture that they made." Extract of Preface by Jo Noero, Professor and Director od the School of Architecture, Planning and Geomatics - University of Cape Town, South Africa.
This study identifies the early careers of many important architects who were associated with BDG, and who would contribute to the development of contemporary South African architecture. Founding Members: Paul Mikula Bryan Lee John Edgar Brian Kearney They were joined at various stages and durations by Denis Jordaan Kevin MacGarry Colin Savage Tony Wilson Peter Wilkinson Bruce Stafford Luis Ferreira da Silva Jo Noero all of whom contributed to the collective achievement of BDG, and later went on to establish independent architectural careers.

Where to get it! South Africa is extremely fortunate to have spawned the incredible talent and free thinking which BDG manifested in the late 60's and 70's. We are just as fortunate today that particularly enlightened and committed individuals and organisations have got it together to produce an architectural publication of this quality about such amazing times and such amazing people ... A4 in size and forty eight exquisite black and white pages in length this unique Limited Edition is shrouded in a beautiful colour double jacket which gives it a particularly "architectural feel". It is, in itself, a work of art! We know that there are hundreds of you out there, scattered around South Africa and the world, that were part of the Natal School during this period and will be keen to get hold of a copy of Selected BDG. This is how ... The bad news is that they are not for sale. If you do not subscribe to Leading Architecture and Design you would not have received a free copy in the mail. Apparently there are still limited numbers available from the publishers, the Total CAD Academy. (Nov/Dec 2003) Call Andre Strauss of the Total CAD Solution Centre on +27 31 201 5495 or visit the website http://www.archicad.co.za