Get passionate about Pabst
JOBURG - The legacy of Wilhelm Pabst, one of Joburg's most inventive architects, will be explored on a Johannesburg Heritage Foundation bus tour.
The tour will include stops in Hillbrow, Doornfontein, and City and Suburban.
The foundation’s Flo Bird said Pabst was born and studied in Berlin, Germany, and widened his experience by working in Barcelona, Paris and Mannheim before he set sail for South Africa in 1935.
On his arrival, Pabst joined architectural firm Kallenbach, Kennedy and Furner.
“He was not the easiest character for clients or colleagues to relate to, and he didn’t seem much troubled by the problems of actually making a living,” said Bird.
“He lived for a while in a small flat in Dorchester Mansions with his partner Elsa Dziomba, a sculptor. With the two competing for space, great strain was put on their relationship and after a while they parted.”
Bird added that Pabst’s commissions were few, so the surviving buildings needed to be known and treasured.
“From the Esselen Street Clinic in Hillbrow, we will move on to his two surviving warehouses in Doornfontein and the stunning warehouse in City and Suburban. “Then we go on to his masterpieces, the Transvaal Chinese United Club and Patidar Mansions in Ferreirasdorp,” she said.
The tour will conclude with a visit to a house Pabst designed in stone, in Westcliff.
“This is only a bus tour to transport people from one amazing building to the next, so be prepared to climb on and off,” said Bird.
“A view from a bus is simply not enough to enable you to appreciate the complexity and excitement of the designs of Johannesburg’s most inventive architect.”
The tour will take place on 5 April and leave from Sunnyside Park Hotel, Princess of Wales Terrace, Parktown, at 2pm.
Booking is essential.
Details: 011 482 3349; mail@joburgheritage.co.za
