DipArch (Witwatersrand) 1955; BArch (Witwatersrand) 1982; MArch (Witwatersrand) 1987; PhD (Witwatersrand) 1994
In 1959 he was practicing as JM GERALD GORDON at 306 Alris Building, cor.
Albert & Rissik Streets, Johannesburg. From 1968-2016 Gerald practiced at 7 New Mountain Road, Linksfield Ridge, Johannesburg
He was President of the South African Institute of Architects in 1977 and 1978 [dates to be verified].
In 1994 Gerald was conferred a Ph.D. in Architecture for a thesis on Computer-Aided Design methodologies. His 1987 Master of Architecture was awarded for a dissertation titled: "Mies Van Der Rohe: An Exploration of His Doctrines."
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Joseph Moses Gerald Gordon died in September 2016 at the age of 82. He had three degrees in architecture from Wits (BAS 1982, MArch 1987, PhD 1994), the Master's thesis having been on Mies van der Rohe and the PhD thesis on a redesign of AutoCad.
Gerald was known for his creativity and his originality in design. The vernacular architecture he encountered during travels in Europe and the Middle East strongly influenced his thinking about using natural and appropriate materials in housing design.
He designed and built his own home on the rocky hillside of Linksfield Ridge, following in the footsteps of an earlier Johannesburg pioneering architect, Hermann KALLENBACH, who as a stonemason, carpenter and architect also blended nature, site and design in close proximity to House Gordon. His cliff site was considered unbuildable but he constructed a four-storey home clinging to the rocks and incorporating many of his ideas about alternative technology and building methods. His children called the Gordon home The Cave, as the rear quartz rock face, so typical of Johannesburg's ridges, was the wall of the house. One entered the house at roof level.
Gerald taught at Wits for 18 years, offering students insights that combined architectural history, theory and independent analysis to inspire African originality. His passion for design combined with cost savings led him to develop a new course called "Design under cost constraints".
His retirement from the University coincided with the change in South Africa. He felt despondent about the continuation of monotonous township housing as a solution to the massive housing backlog, and returned to his low-cost building research. This resulted in the system of building now known as thin-skin construction. His [former] website at www.thinskinconstruction.com [see Blog] reveals much about Gerald, his philosophy and his pushing boundaries to find alternative techniques.
Wits honoured him in his retirement with an appointment as Honorary Research Fellow in housing.
A colleague said he had "a deep emotional intelligence, a generosity across social strata, and a strongly egalitarian purpose particularly in bringing about social change by improving living spaces". He added: "Gerald believed that the definition of good design was a space where people felt at home. He loathed dead space, or pretentious, grandiose design."
Clive CHIPKIN recalls Gerald as "an independent, highly creative talent". Herbert PRINS remembers him as "an erratic genius".
He was married to Lorraine Gordon for 50 years.
(Professor Katherine Munro)
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A tribute to a veteran architect whose creativity and desire to solve housing problems made major contributions to the theory and practice of architecture.
By: Professor Katherine Munro, Honorary Staff Member At The Wits School Of Architecture & Planning.
Dr. Gerald Gordon, a Johannesburg-based architect, passed away in September 2016 at the age of 83. He qualified in architecture, studying part time in order to combine work and study, at the University of the Witwatersrand in the early 1950s.
Gordon ultimately earned three degrees in architecture. In 1987, he received his Master's degree (cum laude) for his thesis, 'Mies van der Rohe: Less is more: more or less? An exploration of his doctrines for the purpose of illustrating the problem of architectural pontification', which took a disruptive view of the-then current architectural theory and fashion. In 1994, Gordon earned a PhD for his redesign of AutoCAD. His research aimed to enhance the standard computer-drawing algorithms, and produced a significantly more flexible and powerful design tool.
Gordon was known for his design originality. He was an artist who believed that good design should marry with structure and building processes. His mantra, that 'all design should be based on structure', led him to take calculated risks. His design ideas and love of art led him to explore new building technologies and design. The lure and beauty of simple and effective vernacular architecture, which he'd admired while travelling in Europe and the Middle East, strongly influenced his thinking about using natural and appropriate housing materials.
While living and working in London, Gordon studied law at the London School of Economics. This background was a valuable addition to his service as the Chairperson of the Transvaal Institute of Architects. A legal grasp enabled Gordon to resist what he considered short-sighted or invalid municipal and town-planning restrictions, and helped him structure his own contracts with his clients. A colleague noted that he systemised everything. Even his architectural specifications captured his minimalist approach to design management.
Gordon's home in Johannesburg was built clinging to what were considered the unbuildable rocky cliffs of Linksfield Ridge. He was conscious of walking in the footsteps of Hermann Kallenbach – the friend of Gandhi, architect, stonemason and carpenter ? who had also pioneered and blended nature, site and design in the same area. Gordon's unconventional four-storey home was entered at parking level, and led down rock-hewn steps to the main living area backed by the quartz rock face so typical of Joburg's ridges. Similar commissions followed as his skill in building on difficult terrain became known.
Gordon joined the staff of the School of Architecture at Wits, where he was recognised as a designer with a unique approach. An 18-year academic career followed. He initially taught design, and then design through technology. His academic hallmark was in offering students insights combining architectural history, theory and independent analysis to inspire African originality.
To improve design in mass housing and township layout, and because Gordon believed that good design was compatible with any level of affordability, he introduced the 'Design under cost constraints' subject. Gordon's low-cost building research resulted in a system called 'Thin skin' construction. Possible for any type of housing, it was particularly relevant for the upgrading of informal settlements.
Gordon wrote a book on his housing designs, From vernacular to spectacular. As an acknowledged 'housing philosopher', he presented papers and chaired international conferences on sustainable building. When he retired from Wits, he continued his research there as an honorary research fellow in housing. Owing to the shortage of funds for social housing and his determination to create built case studies, he used his own funds to build prototypes of thin-skin construction. List of projects With photographs
With notes
Gerald Gordon House: 1968. Linksfield, Johannesburg, Gauteng - Architect
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Books citing GORDON Books by GORDON Gordon, Gerald . 2010. From Vernacular to Spectacular : The Way to Build. Johannesburg: Privately published
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