 Contact Artefacts | MenuHomeUpfront Now Up Books Towns Structures People Firms Lexicon | 24 Chatou Road BANNIE BRITZ and MICHAEL SCHOLES: Architect |  | ||||||
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Click to view large map Coordinates: | 24 Chatou Road was the old church in Melville, built in 1907 which was converted into the offices of BRITZ & SCHOLES ARCHITECTS. This building was chosen as an exhibit at the Pretoria University School of Architecture 50 year Alumni exhibition held at the Pretoria Art Gallery in 1993. The citation from the award of merit panel of judges reads :- This former church, built in 1904, has since 1978 become the offices of the Britz-Scholes Partnership. It is quite easy to understand how this particular building can appeal to the sentiments of any sensitive (and sensible) architectural firm. The grace and meticulous concern for detailing attribute to the fact that this building is one of the precious landmarks of Melville and Richmond. It can always be argued that it is fairly easy to recycle an existing building, particularly a building as fine as this former Methodist Church. The external facades, however, only provide a glimpse of the innovation and care with which the Interior has been converted. Even though the internal structure lends itself to a dramatic spatial experience, credit is given to the heightening of the drama through sensitive and sensible planning, the choice of contrasting finishes, the use of colour and the visual excitement created. This consistency extends beyond the physical boundaries of the building. The utilization of all the corners of the site is equally successful, as well as the necessary additions, in order to cope with the demands of any office environment. All truncated references not fully cited below are those of Joanna Walker's original text and cited in full in the 'Bibliography' entry of the Lexicon. |
