AGM 2024
The Durban Art Deco Society met for its Annual General Meeting on 24 November 2024, at the Phansi Museum. The meeting was attended by 30 members and friends.
Chairperson's Report for the period November 2023 to October 2024
The year 2024 marks the 25th Anniversary of the Durban Art Deco Society’s existence. It was founded by Jean Powell and Denis Claude in 1999. With the help of Helen Labuschagne, the team set about highlighting the importance of preserving Durban’s Art Deco buildings.
We are proud that the Society still fulfils this role today. We continue to receive enquiries from owners of Art Deco buildings in the city, requiring advice regarding the redecoration of the buildings.
In June 2024, architect Kirk White lead a tour of interesting buildings at the north end of Musgrave Road. There are fine examples of Art Deco or Style Moderne buildings in this area including Cheviot Court, St Aubyn Court, Ainsdale and Gleneagles. We also visited Musgrave Mansions which is in the Berea Style. The building is beautifully preserved and the owners showed off the interiors of their apartments with pride.
The Heritage Month of September is a time to celebrate the well-preserved Art Deco buildings in Durban. DADS presented Certificates of Merit to Downtown Hotel (formerly known as Metropole) and Kingsway House this year. The awards help make the owners of these buildings aware of the importance of preserving the design features in the spirit of the original architecture.
DADS has been very fortunate over the years to have the support of Paul Mikula and the Phansi Museum. Hosting the DADS Annual General Meeting in this special venue is a privilege which we greatly appreciate. Paul Mikula was awarded the Heritage Association of South Africa’s Gold Medal at a Gala Dinner, which took place during the HASA Annual Symposium held in Clarens, in October 2024. We would like to congratulate him on receiving this award, which is well deserved.
The Durban Art Deco Society was very honoured to be the recipient of the Peter Louis Award this year. The award’s aim is to “Reward those who have made a significant contribution to the preservation of our common heritage of the built environment”. A scroll was presented to DADS at an event held at the premises of the South African Institute of Architects – KwaZulu Natal in Bulwer Road in early November 2024. Jean Powell and Helen Labuschagne were presented with the award in 2004 and DADS is proud to receive this scroll as a tribute to all those that have made the society what it is today.
We would like to thank our members for their continued support. Thank you to the DADS Committee for all the time they have dedicated to the Society this year. Special thanks goes to Mike Mulholland who has been involved with the activities of the society since 2002. His constant stoking of the fire ensures that DADS is always on track.
Carol Allan
Chairperson
24 November 2024
Talk by Arthur Gammage
Arthur Gammage has a long background in the urban development of Durban, its buildings and its history. He presented an illustrated talk entitled, “Modern Movement Buildings in Durban”.
Art Deco influences are seen in a variety of buildings which may be industrial, commercial or residential, but not the usual symmetrical and towering edifices best known as "Art Deco". Arthur's talk helped reveal the links between Art Deco and other styles of the last century.
As part of a DOCOMOMO initiative (International Committee for Documentation and Conservation of buildings, sites and neighborhoods of the Modern Movement), the talk covered the evolution of Durban building styles from the Playhouse Theatre (Tudor Revival), through Mediterranean/ Berea, ornate Art Deco and Streamline (style moderne) styles, international style and their application in factories, show-rooms, institutions, private residences and even churches. In passing there was reflection on the sad loss of great buildings such as the Technical College Students Union and the old Marine Hotel on the Esplanade.
As a short "post-script" Arthur gave an impression of a conference which he attended in Chandigarh, India in 2013. Its aim was to promote an understanding of the significance of 20th Century heritage (including physical aspects such as buildings, but also culture and history). Here there were some interesting contrasts between India and the rest of the world in terms of how this heritage should be managed.
Members receive the annual report for 2024 from chairperson Carol Allan
At a recent special event hosted by the South African Institute of Architects (KZN), Chairperson Carol Allan accepted the Peter Louis Award scroll from previous laureate Sue Burrows
Arthur Gammage presented an illustrated talk on “Modern Movement Buildings in Durban”
