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
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4 Comments
This building has always struck me as an example of the worst type of architecture: text-book theoretical design which has the architects drooling, but which is essentially useless from a functional point-of-view and, therefore, a waste of the investors' money. It is common knowledge that the centre has been a dismal commercial failure from the day it opened, with the natural result that it has never been worth Old Mutual's while to maintain it or revamp it as has happened with their other centres. To demolish or not to demolish? Hopefully to be retained and "re-imagined", as mentioned above, so that a use will be found for it that will allow it to function as a vibrant building - for it is beautiful in its own anachronistic way. Open the project as a competition for archie students - hopefully some contemporary thought will unlock a use for it, while addressing it shortfalls (Werdmuller in a Cape winter, anyone?).
Demolition should always be the last resort when it comes to the re-appropriation of space. What happened to the spirit of reusing and recycling that emerged from a collapsing world (economic) infrastructure? There is no question that the “open mall” experiment was a failure, but this is not because of the qualities of the Werdmuller but rather the preferences of consumers. While a new glass box (most probably with a 7 star green rating achieved by mitigating elements rather than an appropriate vernacular response) might seem a looming disaster standing over the Werdmuller’s grave, there is a much greater threat. Have a look at the gaping scar in the corner of Roeland and Plein street. Pulling down any building and replacing it with a parking lot for government officials is a disgrace: whoever made that decision should be shot in public!
I agree that the Werdmuller centre is a beautiful building that is worth saving but we also need to recognise that it represents a fundamental failing of the function of architecture. The reason that it is in such a state, and that Old Mutual are reluctant to maintain the building, is because it has never successfully functioned as a shopping centre. As a result, and to the outsider, it then appears that proponents of this building value its form well above its function. The architectural profession needs to consider the implications of placing such high value on a building that has never functioned as it was intended - I believe this undermines the profession.
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No mention of the building's largest current tenant, a thriving local church who would do well to contribute towards creating a different space should the building be revamped in some kind of way.