FAGAN, Gabriël Theron (Gawie)

Architect

BArch 1952 (Pretoria)

Born in the Cape Peninsula; grew up with a love of the sea, sailing, and the Cape architectural heritage. Twelve years as chief architect for a commercial bank with countrywide coverage aroused a strong interest in subtle regional differences. The Cape Town practice started in 1963 has always included much conservation, often in country villages. This has developed an intimate understanding of the beautiful vernacular architecture, so that lessons about sense of belonging, structural integrity, plasticity, proportion and scale are inherently part of new work, without being conscious references.

He practices under the name of GABRIËL FAGAN ARCHITECTS.

[UIA Issue 8, 1985]

FAGAN, Gabriel Theron, B.Arch. (Pta); Architect; Own practice, C.T.; Architect in Charge, Volkskas Bank, Pta. 1952 - 63; Awards: Cape Provincial Inst. of Architects' Awards of Merit, 1968, 1971, 1975, 1979, 1985, Cape Times' Centenary Award 1983, S.A. Academy of Science & Arts' Gold Medal, Simon v.d. Stel Foundation's Gold Medal, National Monuments Ccl.'s Gold Medal, Award of Merit from I.S.A.A. 1987, Gold Medal 1988; Co-Author "Church Street in the Land of Waveren"; Author: monthly column in Die Burger under the pseudonym "Argibel", regular articles in the Conservation Journal Restorica; A.R.I.B.A.; b. 15 Nov 1925, C.T.; s.o. Henry Allan Fagan and Jessie Fagan born Theron; m. 17 Dec. 1949, Gwendoline Elizabeth Gannon, 1s. 3d.; Educ.: Jan van Riebeeck; Rec.: sailing, flying, photography.

[Ref: Hayes, S.V. 1989. (ed) Who's Who of Southern Africa 1989 - 90. Who's Who of Southern Africa cc. Johannesburg. pg 216. Submitted by William MARTINSON]

Gawie matriculated from Hoërskool Jan van Riebeeck High School in 1942.

Gawie is married to Gwen FAGAN. Their son, Henry FAGAN, is an engineer.

Gawie FAGAN was the Sophia Gray Laureate in 1991 and the Milde McWilliams Memorial Lecture Laureate in 2012.

He was invited to participate in the 50 year Anniversary of the University of Pretoria School of Architecture Alumni Exhibition held at the Pretoria Art Gallery on 7-25 July 1993.

PROFESSIONAL CAREER:
Resident Architect Volkskas Bank, 1952 – 1963.
Responsible for maintenance and recycling of their buildings throughout South Africa, and designed 50 new banks during this period.
Private practice in Cape Town since 1964.
Part time lecturer in design - University of Cape Town, 1970 - 1972.
Monthly columnist on architecture for the Cape Town daily paper, "Die Burger" October 1984 – June 1987.
Co-author of the book "Church Street in the Land of Waveren" which records the restoration of Tulbagh – 1974 after the 1969 earthquake.
Photographer for book "Roses at the Cape of Good Hope" by Gwen Fagan – first published 1988, reprinted 1989 & 1995.
Author of the book "Twenty Cape Houses", first published 2005.
Author of book "Brakdak: Flatroofs in the Karoo", first published 2008.
Foundation and Honorary life member Vernacular Architecture Society.
Member of the Architectural Heritage Committee, South African Institute of Architects 1982 - 2007.
Member of the Council for the Environment 1982 - 1994.
Lecturer at the V&A symposium on Identity and Sustainability in London, November 2009.

Member of the board of trustees of:
Bo-Kaap Trust from 1990 - 1994
Cape Town Heritage Trust from 1988
Groot Constantia Trust – board member and honorary member from 2002
Simon van der Stel Foundation, life member

Successful agitations for city improvements

Critical input regarding city engineer Dr.Morris's proposed freeways and parking garage in a sensitive part of the city which would have involved extensive demolition of heritage buildings.

Agitation in the media and by public meetings that the sea should be given back to Capetonians: February 1980. This led to the appointment of the Burggraaff Commission and the subsequent establishment of the V&A.

See the Fagan Collection on UP Space.

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Letter to CIfA members. 2020 09 14

It is with immense sadness that I share the news of the passing of Gabriel Theron (Gawie) Fagan with you.

Gawie was in his own bed which he made as a student, in his bedroom filled with the books of knowledge that informed his work, surrounded by the objects and the people who gave meaning to his life, in "Die Es", the house which he designed and crafted with the help of his family.

Gwen, his great love, who had been his companion and support throughout their long and fulfilling life together, tenderly cared for him during the past few difficult months.

In the days, weeks and months to come we will find embracing ways to celebrate his life and work, but for now our thoughts are with Gwen, their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

He was an inspiration to us all; a great man who lived a life of integrity, adventure, peace and humility and who had the greatest respect for all and everything. May he now also rest in peace.

Henk Lourens 2020 09 14

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OBITUARY: GABRIEL THERON (GAWIE) FAGAN 15.11.1925 - 13.09.2020

It is with deep sadness that SAIA informs you about the passing of a member, icon and star-architect, Gawie Fagan. Dr Fagan made a tremendous contribution to the architectural industry and his work speaks for itself. CifA, a region of SAIA, sent out a newsflash on Monday, 14 September 2020 giving notice of the passing of Gawie Fagan.

Also, SAIA shares an obituary by Arthur Barker, as well as another co-authored by Martin Burger and Henk Lourens [see links to obituaries below] which was published in Die Burger and News24.

SAIA has also received a collection of letters written in 2007 motivating for Gawie to be awarded Fellowship with the American Institute of Architects (AIA). SAIA wishes to thank ex-SA architect, Mr Etienne Louw who now resides in northern California USA for sharing these letters which speak volumes to the fine architect and achiever that Gawie was throughout his life. Included in the collection is a synopsis of Gawie Fagan - An Appreciation by Peter Buchanan which was published in Architecture South Africa - March/April 2006 issue.

Letter 1 by Tod Williams
Letter 2 by Kenneth Frampton
Letter 3 by Peter Rich Architects
Letter 4 by Adele Naude Santos
Synopsis of Gabriel Fagan: An Appreciation
[see links to letters below]

Although Gawie may no longer be with us, his work will continue to inspire many and live on forever.

Rest in Peace Gawie.

Kind regards

Mthembeni Mkhize
SAIA Chief Executive Officer

__________________________

Obituary by Martin Kruger and Henk Lourens
Submitted by Paul Kotze

Obituary by Arthur Barker

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Talk given by Arthur Barker at the Memorial for Gawie Fagan, Sunday 27 September 2020

Good afternoon everyone.

It is a bittersweet day as we gather here to celebrate the life of an architect, sailor, pilot, protector of local heritage, husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather.

My sincerest condolences to Gwen, Hennie, Helena, Jessie and Alida and the rest of the family friends that knew him well. And thank you Gwen, for inviting me to say a few words about Gawie, a man I admired, and greatly respected, and that I will sorely miss.

Dear Gawie

We stand today, in the epitome of your domestic architecture, in the spirit of remembrance and the celebration of a life well lived and loved. Die Es has physically lost you, but your personal and design spirit is firmly embedded in the structure and spaces of this iconic, and unique, 20th century house.

I want to thank you for several things, that I never got the chance to while you were still alive. Forgive me for the architectural bias but I know no other!

1. Thank you for your humility in all things – to the people you interacted with, to the places you changed, to the buildings you made. When you designed your 50 Volkskas banks you always described them as ‘ekskuus my, dat ek hier staan!’ They were all buildings of, and in, place, understated but certainly, innovative.
2. Thank you for caring about our environment, our city and its peoples. If it hadn’t been for you and others, the Waterfront would not be what it is today. If it had not been for you, an understanding and appreciation of our built heritage would not have the significance it has today.
3. Thank you for providing a nuanced, intellectual, yet poetic, understanding of how vernacular architecture can still be a traditive process in the 21st century. Your ten principles from the 1996 lecture ‘learning from the vernacular’ will forever be a source of inspiration.
4. Thank you for allowing me to have unfettered access to all your archives. The treasure trove of personal and design-related information was an immeasurable part of my studies. Who knew that Die Es’s plan was once a mirror image of its current form, that you and your wife share a plate of food or that you loved being in the nude!
5. Thank you for answering all three years of intermittent questions, that I posed, with circumspection, intelligence and thoughtfulness. I will never forget your respectful, yet critical, retort: “Wel, ek het nie eintlik so daaraan gedink nie”.
6. Thank you for making your architecture accessible, through your deep understanding of what constitutes the making of space formed phenomenologically and contextually.
7. Thank you for inviting me to stay in Die Es. Those two weeks proved that the golden section does provide calmness and restfulness, that diurnality is so key in making space and that sitting on the toilet can be an uplifting experience!
8. Thank you for pointing out that which I could not see – Die Es does merge into the ground through its external coved skirting. And no, you don’t use pergolas as when the doors open to a living room, the space becomes the stoep. Also, bedrooms shouldn’t have Holiday Inn-like exposed balconies. Bedrooms need their own private space, so step the plan. Garages shouldn’t be the focus of arrival, so sink them down or turn them at 90 degrees …
9. And most importantly, thank you for being an inspiring human being and a polymath of note! Your achievements are unequalled.

It is fitting you once remarked, when referring to the work of Norman Eaton and your close friend, Karel Jooste, that ‘my home is in the Cape’. Table Mountain has been ever present in your life. You were born in its afternoon shadow, studied on its steps, worked at its historic meeting with the sea, travelled home every day through its saddle and came to rest where it merges with the Atlantic Ocean.

Another journey has begun for you, but we will, forever, be blessed with your enduring legacy. May you, as seasoned sailors would say, have fair winds and following seas.

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In Memoriam – Gawie Fagan by Richard Crockett for the Royal Cape Yacht Club.

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Documents for Honorary Membership to American Institute of Architects
All submitted by Etiene Louw
Summary by Adèle Naudé Santos
Synopsis by Peter Buchanan
Recommendation by Kenneth Frampton
Recommendation by Peter Rich
Letter of Support by Tod Williams

List of projects

With photographs
With notes

Boland Farm Museum Complex, Kleinplasie - Main Building: n.d.. Florian Park, Worcester, Western Cape - Design Architect

Boschendal: 1812 : 1975. Franschhoek, Western Cape - Restoration Architect 1975

Cape Point Nature Reserve, Entrance Gate: 1992. Simonstown, Western Cape - Design Architect

Castle of Good Hope - Restoration: 2001. Cape Town, Western Cape - Design Architect

Castle of Good Hope - Restoration 2: 2016. Cape Town, Western Cape - Design Architect

Church Street 23 - Paddagang: n.d. : 1972-3. Tulbagh, Western Cape - Architect restoration

Church Street 42: n.d. : 1970. Tulbagh, Western Cape - Restoration Architect

Coetzenburg, refurbishment: c1833 : 1893/1903. Stellenbosch, Western Cape - Restoration architect

Drostdy: 1804 : 1934 : 1973-1974. Tulbagh, Western Cape - Restoration Architect 1973-1974

Drostdy Museum Complex - Conservation Building: 1986. Swellendam, Western Cape - Design Architect

Government House (Tuynhuys): 1790 : 1968. Cape Town, Western Cape - Restoration Architect 1968

House Bertie-Roberts: 1966. Camps Bay, Western Cape - Design Architect

House Beyers - Nagenoeg: 1998. Betty's Bay, Western Cape - Design Architect

House Blommaert: 1982. Stellenbosch, Western Cape - Design Architect

House Fagan: 2008. McGregor, Western Cape - Design Architect

House Fagan - Die Es: 1965. Camps Bay, Western Cape - Design Architect

House Fagan - Keurbos: 1951. Bishopscourt, Cape Town, Western Cape - Architect

House Fagan - Paradys: 2003. Paradise Beach, Langebaan, Western Cape - Design Architect

House Gardener: 1972. Camps Bay, Western Cape - Design Architect

House Levin: 1969. Saldanha, Western Cape - Design Architect

House Luckhoff: 1981. Onrus, Western Cape - Design Architect

House Maree Brink: c2003. Paradise Beach, Langebaan, Western Cape - Design Architect

House Mitchell: 2005. Newlands, Cape Town, Western Cape - Design Architect

House Neethling: 1983. Durbanville, Western Cape - Design Architect

House Patterson: 1966. Somerset West, Western Cape - Design Architect

House Raynham: 1967. Newlands, Cape Town, Western Cape - Design Architect

House Simpson - Auldearn: 1992. Elgin, Western Cape - Design Architect

House Swanepoel: 1981. Cape St Francis, Eastern Cape - Design Architect

House Swanepoel: 1990. Hermanus, Western Cape - Design Architect

Ida's Valley Housing: 1975. Stellenbosch, Western Cape - Design Architect

Klein Constantia Winery: 1986. Constantia, Western Cape - Design Architect

Maritime and Shell Museum: 1989. Mossel Bay, Western Cape - Design Architect

Roggeland: n.d. : 1979. Dal Josaphat, Western Cape - Restoration Architect 1979

SA Breweries Visitors' Centre - Mariendahl Brewery: 1997. Newlands, Cape Town, Western Cape - Design Architect

Salomonsvlei: 1983. Paarl, Western Cape - Design Architect

Skaaprivierplaas: 1965. Citrusdal, Western Cape - Design Architect

Volkskas - ABSA: n.d.. Alexandria, Eastern Cape - Architect unconfirmed

Volkskas - ABSA: 1960s?. Napier, Western Cape - Architect

Volkskas Bank: 1959. Cradock, Eastern Cape - Design Architect

Volkskas Bank: 1958. Smithfield, Free State - Design Architect

Volkskas Bank: pre 1964. Sutherland, Northern Cape - Design Architect

Volkskas Bank - ABSA - Western Cape Government Local Office: 1959. Montagu, Western Cape - Design Architect

Volkskas Bank - now ABSA: 1960. Bellville, Western Cape - Design Architect

Volkskas Bank - now ABSA: 1959. Bethal, Mpumalanga - Design Architect

Volkskas Bank - now ABSA: 1962. Bonnievale, Western Cape - Design Architect

Volkskas Bank - now ABSA: 1960. Brandfort, Free State - Design Architect

Volkskas Bank - now ABSA: pre 1964. Calvinia, Northern Cape - Design Architect

Volkskas Bank - now ABSA: 1959. Christiana, North West - Design Architect

Volkskas Bank - now ABSA: 1956. Colesberg, Northern Cape - Design Architect

Volkskas Bank - now ABSA: 1954. De Aar, Northern Cape - Design Architect

Volkskas Bank - now ABSA: 1954. eMakhazeni (Belfast), Mpumalanga - Design Architect

Volkskas Bank - now ABSA: pre 1964. Franschhoek, Western Cape - Design Architect

Volkskas Bank - now ABSA: pre 1964. Fraserburg, Northern Cape - Design Architect

Volkskas Bank - now ABSA: 1954. Germiston, Gauteng - Design Architect

Volkskas Bank - now ABSA: 1962. Hartswater, Northern Cape - Design Architect

Volkskas Bank - now ABSA: 1957. Heidelberg, Gauteng - Design Architect

Volkskas Bank - now ABSA: 1957. Humansdorp, Eastern Cape - Design Architect

Volkskas Bank - now ABSA: pre 1964. Kenhardt, Northern Cape - Design Architect

Volkskas Bank - now ABSA: 1959. Kimberley, Northern Cape - Design Architect

Volkskas Bank - now ABSA: 1959. Krugersdorp, Gauteng - Design Architect

Volkskas Bank - now ABSA: 1958. Ladybrand, Free State - Design Architect

Volkskas Bank - now ABSA: pre 1964. Laingsburg, Western Cape - Design Architect

Volkskas Bank - now ABSA: 1960. Leeudoringstad, North West - Design Architect

Volkskas Bank - now ABSA: 1962. Marble Hall, Limpopo - Design Architect

Volkskas Bank - now ABSA: 1958. Mashishing (Lydenburg), Mpumalanga - Design Architect

Volkskas Bank - now ABSA: pre 1964. Messina (Musina), Limpopo - Design Architect

Volkskas Bank - now ABSA: 1956. Moorreesburg, Western Cape - Design Architect

Volkskas Bank - now ABSA: 1962. Murraysburg, Western Cape - Design Architect

Volkskas Bank - now ABSA: 1962. Polokwane (Pietersburg), Limpopo - Design Architect

Volkskas Bank - now ABSA: 1958. Potchefstroom, North West - Design Architect

Volkskas Bank - now ABSA: 1962. Prieska, Northern Cape - Design Architect

Volkskas Bank - now ABSA: 1962. Richmond, Northern Cape - Design Architect

Volkskas Bank - now ABSA: pre 1964. Riversdale, Western Cape - Design Architect

Volkskas Bank - now ABSA: 1960. Roodepoort, Gauteng - Design Architect

Volkskas Bank - now ABSA: 1961. Steynsrus, Free State - Design Architect

Volkskas Bank - now ABSA: pre 1964. Strand, Western Cape - Design Architect

Volkskas Bank - now ABSA: 1960. Hermanstad, Tshwane (Pretoria), Gauteng - Design Architect

Volkskas Bank - now ABSA: 1961. Silverton, Tshwane (Pretoria), Gauteng - Design Architect

Volkskas Bank - now ABSA: n.d.. Villiers, Free State - Design Architect

Volkskas Bank - now ABSA: 1957. Volksrust, Mpumalanga - Design Architect

Volkskas Bank - now ABSA: 1952. Vryburg, North West - Design Architect

Volkskas Bank - now ABSA: 1960. Warden, Free State - Design Architect

Volkskas Bank - now ABSA: 1958. Warmbaths (Bela-bela), Limpopo - Design Architect

Volkskas Bank - now ABSA: 1959. Warrenton, Northern Cape - Design Architect

Volkskas Bank - now ABSA: 1961. Wellington, Western Cape - Design Architect

Volkskas Bank - now ABSA: pre 1964. Willowmore, Eastern Cape - Design Architect

Volkskas Bank - now ABSA: 1957. Winburg, Free State - Design Architect

Volkskas Bank - Now Offices: n.d.. Memel, Free State - Design Architect

Articles citing FAGAN

Barker, A. 2010. Heterotrophic syntheses: mediation in the domestic architecture of Gabriël Fagan. South African Journal of Art History. Volume 25 Number 1

MEINTJES, Clyde. 2005. A tribute to Gabriel Fagan - on the occasion of his eightieth birthday, 15th November, 2005. Unpublished

Barker, Arthur. 2012. Cape vernacular interpretations. Architecture South Africa. Sept/Oct No 57 36-44

Barker, Arthur. 2012. Typological form in the architecture of Gabriël (Gawie) Fagan (1925-). South African Journal of Art History. Vol 27 No. 3

Barker, Arthur. 2013. Craft and intellect: materiality in the domestic architecture of Gawie Fagan. South African Journal of Art History. Vol 28 No. 2

Barker, Arthur. 2014. Fagan and the vernacular. Vernacular Society of South Africa journal

Books by FAGAN

Fagan, Gawie & Fagan, Gwen. 1975. Church Street in the Land of Waveren. Cape Town: Tulbagh Restoration Committee

Hefer, Willem J; Du Toit, CJ; Fagan, Gawie & Fagan, Gwen. 1976. Drakenstein : a valley with a place in history. South Africa: Rhodes Fruit Farms Ltd.?

Fagan, Gawie & Fagan, Gwen. 1977. Boschendal renascent : a history of Boschendal. South Africa:

Fagan, G. 2005. Twenty Cape Houses. Cape Town: Breestraat Publikasies

Fagan, Gawie & Fagan, Gwen. 2008. Brakdak : platdakke in die Karoo. Cape Town: Breestraat Publikasies

Books citing FAGAN

Anonymous. 2005. In honour of Gawie Fagan : in celebration of his 80th birthday. Cape Town: Vernacular Architecture Society of South Africa. pp All

Bakker, Karel A, Clarke, Nicholas J. 2014. Eclectic ZA Wilhelmiens : A shared Dutch built heritage in South Africa. Pretoria: Visual Books. pp 63

Beck, Haig (Editor). 1985. UIA International Architect : Southern Africa (Issue 8). London: International Architect. pp Inner front cover, 48-49

Department of Nature and Environmental conservation of the Provincial Administration of the Cape of Good Hope. 1984. Post Office Tree Provincial Museum Complex Mossel Bay. Cape Town: Department of Nature and Environmental conservation of the Provincial Administration of the Cape of Good Hope. pp All

Fagan, Gwen. 2016. Gwendoline's Gawie. Cape Town: Breestraat Publikasies. pp All

ISAA. 1969. The Yearbook of the Institute of South African Architects and Chapter of SA Quantity Surveyors 1968-1969 : Die Jaarboek van die Instituut van Suid-Afrikaanse Argitekte en Tak van Suid-Afrikaanse Bourekenaars 1968-1969. Johannesburg: ISAA. pp 92, 158

Picton-Seymour, Désirée. 1989. Historical Buildings in South Africa. Cape Town: Struikhof Publishers. pp 76

Wale, Laurie (Editor). 1962. New home building ideas : Architects' plans for southern Africa. Cape Town: Purnell & Sons. pp 49-54

Walker, Michael. 2010. Simon's Town : An historical review with early postcard illustrations. Cape Town: Michael Walker. pp 38

Entries in books by FAGAN

Fagan, Gabriël. Gabriël Fagan. Architect's House, Camps Bay, Cape Town. In UIA International Architect : Southern Africa (Issue 8). 1985. International Architect