Architectural academic Prof. Ora Joubert says in his recently published book 10 Years + 100 Buildings in a Democratic South Africa: ‘Our creative output has floundered, on a sea of inappropriate stylism – dictated by market forces – and perpetuated by limited frames of reference. With hindsight, the Post Modern phenomenon was hugely detrimental to South Africa’s built fabric.’
Strong words, but undoubtedly carefully considered. Are architects puppets in the hands of developers, dictated to, as to the style of the buildings they create.  The ‘80s - ‘90s boom in the SA property market spawned crude renditions of Euro-centric design, plus influences from Asia. Suburban high-end townhouse developments were lauded as ‘Tuscan’, ’Provençal’ and ‘Balinese’; actually they were featureless boxes to which were added architectural confectionary.
Perhaps Paul Gauguin – French Impressionist painter 1848 - 1903 – summed it up perfectly when he said:  ‘There is always a heavy demand for fresh mediocrity. In every generation, the least cultivated taste has the largest appetite.’
Then came the Post Modern era, decried by Prof. Joubert as hugely damaging. So these were the negative decades, but what of the upside in Post-Recession 2010? In this feature we showcase some outstanding recent work and record informed opinions.

Colin Ainsworth Sharp – colin@habitat-mag.com
December 2009