Rodney Roy Harber (b. Pietermaritzburg, 1940) has distinguished
himself as an architect, architect-teacher and architect-planner
but notably in the role of ambassador for the built environment,
in which he has promoted, either directly or indirectly,
the understanding of Architecture among a wide public.
On graduating in 1965, Rodney Harber worked for Hallen &
Dibb, the leading design practice at the time, before accepting
an appointment to the teaching staff of his alma mater,
the University of Natal in Durban. He then attained a qualification
in Planning, awarded in 1987, and subsequently developed
a keen interest in alternative yet sustainable construction,
in low-income housing and in the conservation of historical
architecture all this in addition to his long-standing
interests in Islamic and Hindu architecture. Deservedly
he was promoted to the rank of Associate Professor in 1992.
To Rodney Harber practice and teaching are
two sides of the same coin, a fact borne out by the many
local and international students who pass through his office.
There is a warmth and breadth of approach in his work, in
concordance with his own personality, and the work is marked
by a willingness to experiment stemming from an intense
understanding of the building process. Because of this his
buildings and projects have been widely published and exhibited
both nationally and internationally. As he is concerned
with people first, his forte is in community work, and his
understanding of the current needs of contemporary society.
He is an inspiring teacher with a natural
gift for communication. He is much in demand as an external
examiner and as a speaker at conferences, and hence has
participated in both roles in many corners of the globe.
He is co-author of the book Hindu Temples in Natal and has
contributed to numerous publications on a fascinating range
of subjects usually alternative in focus: indigenous architecture;
housing the marginalised, upgrading informal settlements
etc.
Rodney Harber is much admired for the multiplicity of his
skills which have seen him represent the KwaZulu-Natal Institute
on various local and provincial committees, most notably,
the Durban City Planning Committee. He served as President
of the Institute for an unprecedented 5year period
(19945; 1996; 199798) during which time the Institute
broadened its base by providing for affiliate membership
and hence the change in name from Institute 'of Architects'
to Institute 'for Architecture'. He chaired the KZ-N Architectural
Heritage Committee during 19891997; was appointed a
Council member of Amafa aKwaZulu-Natali (Heritage KwaZulu-Natal)
in 1999, and a year later, as the solitary architect-member
of the Council of the South African Heritage Resources Agency.
He has served as Director of the African Art Centre, 198388,
and had conferred upon him the title of Honorary Patron
in 1997. He served as President of the Natal Society of
Arts 197478; and Vice-President of its national counterpart,
the South African Arts Association, during 197982.
As a planner, he held the Chair of the KwaZulu-Natal Branch
of the South African Planning Institute, 199394.
Like most architects Rodney Harber enjoys
travelling yet he thrives equally on showing visitors his
hometown, Durban. He has a contagious enthusiasm for architecture
and this has been sustained over many years and in many
fora.
It is because of his outstanding work as a
roving ambassador for Architecture and the respect and affection
he has so earned, that the SAIA Medal of Distinction is
being awarded to Rodney Harber.
