DOVEY, Michael John

Architect

BBuildArts BArch (Port Elizabeth)

John Dovey's career began with OSMOND LANGE ARCHITECTS in East London in 1980 and ended when he retired from Osmond Lange in 2020, forty years later.

In 1991 he was appointed as Group Managing Director of one of the longest surviving architectural practices in South Africa, a position he held for twenty one years. This makes him eminently equipped to speak on the evolution of the practice of architecture.

His deployment took him to Gaborone, Botswana, to establish a fledgling practice. There he was involved in a wide variety of educational projects. He then ran the Ciskei office with a focus on industrial and educational projects, including work at the University of Fort Hare.

In Johannesburg, he did industrial and commercial work and was involved in the master planning, design and development of the R2,3b Phase 1 mixed use Melrose Arch Complex in Johannesburg.

John was also intimately involved with airport related work, predominantly for ACSA, initially the Central Terminal Building at OR Tambo in preparation for the 2010 World Cup, then the King Shaka International Airport at La Mercy north of Durban.

In retirement, John has returned to his roots. Having studied architecture in Port Elizabeth in the 1970s, he and his wife now live in a seaside village between Port Alfred and East London.

From invitation to SAIAshare #13 on 3 June 2022

Submitted by William Martinson, May 2022.

List of projects

With photographs
With notes

First National Bank: 1994. Bhisho, Eastern Cape - Design Architect

University of Fort Hare, De Beers Centenary Art Gallery: 1990. Alice, Eastern Cape - Project Architect

University of Fort Hare, Staff Amenities Building - Staff Centre: 1985. Alice, Eastern Cape - Project Architect