Save the Werdmuller Centre

WORDS: Remy Raitt and Dylan Culhane | PHOTOS: Dylan Culhane

The Werdmuller Centre in Claremont fell under the spotlight in 2007 when it was proposed that this rare example of Corbusian Modernism be torn down.

Five years later and the debate continues: should Roelof Uytenbogaart’s iconic contribution to the South African architectural landscape be demolished? General consensus among architects and lovers of design is that this would be a complete travesty, though most agree the building should be renovated and reappropriated – ideally for a creatively oriented enterprise.

Currently a mere shell of its former glory, the Werdmuller Centre stands (mostly) empty, defaced and decaying. Surrounded by informal traders on the busy Claremont Main Road, most passersby would be surprised to hear that the building has been internationally praised as an architectural masterpiece.

Inside, a few charity bookstores, thrift shops and cobblers scrape by. Still owned by Old Mutual, the building (designed in the late 1960s and completed in 1976) surely deserves more care and attention this far into its life.

Regarded as part of Le Corbusier’s legacy in South Africa (which is further exemplified by the concrete work done by Tony De Sousa Santos and Adele Naudé Santos) the Werdmuller Centre not only speaks of the time in which it was built, but also of South Africa’s architectural history.

Architect Ilze Wolff believes its significance transcends the aesthetic and functional nature of architecture: “Socially, it is an important building of its time, as it explicitly defied the harsh politics of separatism and pursued the principles of humanism and contextualisation.” She says the building also represents innovation in architecture, “or at least an experimentation in a well-known typology – that of commercial shopping centres.”

While proponents of its salvation think the Werdmuller Centre should stay as it is (notwithstanding some much-needed repairs) the function of the building should undoubtedly be reconsidered, as it seems wasted as a cheap shopping centre across the road from the gargantuan Cavendish Square and several far more appealing retail structures. In our last chat to Ilze Wolff, she suggested that the building could thrive as an accommodation and studio space for creatives. As it’s situated adjacent to the Claremont train station, we think this is a realistic future for the building. Artists and designers would be surrounded by sources of inspiration and the rent probably wouldn’t be too steep either, something struggling creatives are sure to appreciate.

Time will tell whether rands and cents will prevail over the recognition of artistic heritage in South Africa. Our architectural history is inchoate, and tearing down beautiful structures like this to make way for generic glass-and-steel retail cubes is something we simply can’t allow to happen. We sincerely hope the powers that be take the time to compare the cost of tearing down the Werdmuller Centre and erecting a new structure with the cost of renovating the existing building. But, more importantly, we hope they realise the significance of the Werdmuller Centre and the place it occupies not only in our country’s architectural legacy, but also in the hearts of those who appreciate its unique humanist form. It’s time to mobilise against the onslaught of short-sighted capitalism, and foster our design heritage.

Show your Support

Heritage Western Cape has, in terms of the provisions of section 38(2) (a) of the National Heritage Resources Act, called for an impact assessment report (HIA) addressing the proposed demolition of the Werdmuller Centre located on Erf 54472 in Main Road, Claremont.

Any person or organisation with an interest in this matter is invited to formally register as an interested and/or affected party (I&AP) and to participate in this process by e-mailing their name and contact details (e-mail address & contact telephone number) to werdmuller@ashleylillie.com as soon as possible.

Registered I&APs will be advised of any public meetings held in respect of this process, as well as receive copies of the report in order to enable the provision of comment relating to the proposals.

Please note that persons who may have participated in earlier processes (subsequently terminated) relating to proposals affecting the Werdmuller Centre are required to register their interest afresh.

Ashley Lillie – Heritage Specialist

P O Box 109, Cape Town, 8000

Tel: 084 416 5267