SCHOLES, Michael Kenneth

Architect

Born in Durban. He received his high schooling at King Edwards School, Johannesburg. In 1962 he first studied civil engineering at the University of the Witwatersrand but abandoned studies after eighteen months, then joining RHODES-HARRISON HOFFE AND PARTNERS as a draughtsman where he became acquainted with the work of Frank Lloyd Wright which inspired him to switch to architectural studies, commencing in 1965. He proved a gifted student, winning the TPIA prize in his first, second, third and again fifth year of studies. In his third year he was also awarded the LH Berham Prize for his design of a shopping centre, in his final year the AS FURNER prize for his design as well as the Gordon McINTOSH Graduation award for his thesis 'The design of an industrialized housing system'. In his student years he was invited to work for Julian ELLIOTT, then in Zambia, who proved formative on his architectural thinking. Mike graduated at the University of the Witwatersrand in 1970 where he lectured before entering private practice. He was experienced in designing domestic scale design commissions for which he had received several awards. His love of local historical and interest in vernacular buildings and pre-19th-century European architecture manifested in him developing an architecture which responds to this heritage, the urban context, and natural environment of the region.

[UIA Issue 8, 1985; entry expanded with information supplied by Michael Scholes in document lodged at the UP Arch Archives by Izak Bothma and Hendrik Greyling (1987)]

Publications by and on Michael Scholes:

1. Scholes, M., 1972. Radio Piazza – FNB Centre, Bloemfontein. Plan 10:34-37.
2. Anon. 1976. House Smit/Verster, Melville, Johannesburg. Architect & Builder, March:10-14. [Transvaal Provincial institute Award of Merit 1972-74]
3. Anon. 1979. Regeringskantore vir ‘n onafhanklike tuisland (Projek) Bannie Britz & Michael Scholes [ISAA Awards of Merit – Transvaal] Journal of the SA Institute of Architects, Sept.:48.
4. Anon. 1979 House Rorke-Scholes. Michael Scholes. [ISAA Awards of Merit – Transvaal] Journal of the SA Institute of Architects, Sept.:49.
5. Maré, E. 1981. Die viering van menswees – ‘n keur uit die argitektuur van die vennootskap Bannie Britz en Michael Scholes, LL IA. De Arte, Vol. 11 Issue25:5-46.
6. Anon. 1981. House Rosmarin: Upper Houghton. Architects, Bannie Britz & Michael Scholes, [ISAA Award of Merit] Journal of the SA Institute of Architects, Dec.:26-27.
7. Anon. 1981. Two Homes on a tennis-court plot. Style, June:94-99. [House Rorke-Scholes]
8. Anon. 1983. House Butler, Architects, Bannie Britz & Michael Scholes. [ISAA Award of Merit] Journal of the SA Institute of Architects, Nov./Dec.:28-29.
9. Anon. 1983. Contemporary Architecture in Morningside, Johannesburg. Habitat, Number 56:27-30. [House Falconer]
10. Anon. 1984. Government Square, Mmabatho. Architects. Bannie Britz & Michael Scholes. Journal of the SA Institute of Architects, May/June:34-39.
11. Fassler-Kamstra, M. 1984. A celebration of Sovereignty; the government buildings at Mmabatho. Journal of the SA Institute of Architects, May/June:40-41.
12. Anon. 1985. House Hilewitz. Architects. Bannie Britz & Michael Scholes. [ISAA Award of Merit] Journal of the SA institute of Architects, Nov./Dec.:24.
13. Anon. 1985. Secretariat for the Bophuthatswana Government, Mmabatho 1978-1983. UIA International Architect/International Union of Architects, No. 8:30-31.
14. Dunn, M. 1986. Award Winner. Style, April:117-125. [House Hilewitz]
15. Anon. 1987. 24 Chatou Road, Richmond, Johannesburg. Architects Bannie Britz & Michael Scholes. [ISAA Award of Merit] Journal of the SA Institute of Architects, Nov./Dec.:16.
16. Anon. n.d. A House in Mayfair. Planning & Building Development 88:11-17. [House Pahad]
17. Anon. 1991. Springfield Game Lodge. [ISAA Awards of Merit] Journal of the SA Institute of Architects, Nov./Dec.:28-29.
18. Anon. 1992. Putting SA’s Architects First. Financial Mail, Special Report, May 22:57-75. [Scholes mentioned]
19. Anon. 1992. The Bophuthatswana Parliament Building. Journal of the Transvaal Institute of Architects, August:6-7. [Fulton Award].
20. Anon. 1992. The Bophuthatswana Parliament Building. Architect & Builder, Sept.:11-14.
21. Scholes, M. n.d. 138 West Street, Sandown, Johannesburg. Project Review. p58-61.
22. Scholes, M & S. 1993. The Standard Bank Centre, 78 Fox Street, Johannesburg. Journal of the Transvaal Institute of Architects, August:10.
23. Anon. House Mackay – alterations and addition. Britz, Scholes, Abramowitch, du Toit, Hoffe, Architects and Urban Planners. Journal of the Transvaal Institute of Architects, November, p2. ISAA Awards of Merit. [Previously House Falconer]
24. Anon. 1993. House Mackay, Britz, Scholes, Abramowitch, du Toit, Hoffe, Architects and Urban Planners. Journal of the SA Institute of Architects, Nov./Dec.:36.
25. Anon. n.d., Sandton Convention Centre. Planning. p6-15.
26. Rasmuss, H.; Scholes, M. 2001. ‘In Praise of the one that got away’. Journal of the SA institute of Architects, Jan./Feb.:19-27.
27. Chipkin, C. 2008. Johannesburg Transition: Architecture & Society from 1950. Johannesburg: STE Publishers. Reference made to Scholes on pages 264-265, 272-274, 276, 415-416.
28. Kotze, P. 2009. Sandton International Convention Centre. In Joubert, ‘O. (Ed.) 10 Years+100 Buildings. Architecture in a Democratic South Africa. Cape Town: Bell Roberts. p174-175.
29. Kotze, P 2009. Monograph: Michael Scholes, Architect. Journal of the SA Institute of Architects. [September/October] p8-16.

Compiled by:
Prof. Paul Kotze
School of Architecture and Planning
University of the Witwatersrand.

And,

Ms. Rene du Plessis, Librarian and Research Assistant
University of the Free State.

List of projects

With photographs
With notes

Dinokeng Lodge: 2004. Magaliesburg, Gauteng - Design Architect

House Allen: 1982. Johannesburg, Gauteng - Design Architect

House Butler: 1982. Westcliff, Johannesburg, Gauteng - Design Architect

House Falconer: 1977. Morningside, Sandton, Gauteng - Design Architect

House Hilewitz: 1983. Athol, Johannesburg, Gauteng - Design Architect

House Lofstedt: 1980. Parkwood, Johannesburg, Gauteng - Design Architect

House Mckay: 1991. Morningside, Sandton, Gauteng - Design Architect

House Rorke-Scholes: 1977. Melville, Johannesburg, Gauteng - Design Architect

House Rosmarin: 2004. Clarens, Free State - Design Architect

House Rosmarin: 1980. Houghton Estate, Johannesburg, Gauteng - Design Architect

House Smith-Verster: 1975. Melville, Johannesburg, Gauteng - Design Architect

Springfarm Game Lodge: 1990. Krugersdorp, Gauteng - Design Architect

Woodlands Retail: 2005. Woodmead, Johannesburg, Gauteng - Design Architect

Books citing SCHOLES

Beck, Haig (Editor). 1985. UIA International Architect : Southern Africa (Issue 8). London: International Architect. pp Inner front cover, 30-31

Fisher, RC, Le Roux, SW. 1998. Architecture of the Transvaal. Pretoria: UNISA. pp 289