John Weir Rushmere epitomises the Renaissance architect. He inhales and exhales architecture and his passion for architecture is infectious. He has made contributions to architecture on many levels, not only in the Eastern Cape where he practises, but also to South African and world architecture.

In 1962 John qualified with a B Arch from the University of Cape Town with a distinction in Thesis. After a brief spell in Cape Town and Johannesburg, he settled in Port Elizabeth in 1967 and has since worked in several cities and towns in the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu Natal and the Western Cape. He has produced a large and notable body of architectural work of superior quality.

John is an architect with a capital A, uncompromising in the standards that he sets. He cares about every aspect of his buildings, ranging from his inspiring concepts down to the smallest of detail. He is an original thinker that moves with the times. He has the ability to develop appropriate concepts for a project and to take that to a highly innovative and polished conclusion. The high consistency in the quality of his designs has resulted in him being awarded various awards at regular intervals. These include 8 SAIA Awards of Merit, an Award for Excellence and several other commendations. Much of his work has been published in architectural journals in South Africa and his work has also been published in the British Architectural Review and International Architect USA.

Apart from the above John has played a significant role in professional bodies. He has been involved with the Eastern Cape Institute of Architecture for a period of almost 30 years. During this period he twice served as president, commencing many important initiatives.

John Rushmere has also often been involved with activities at tertiary institutions. He is a sought after visiting critic and examiner at various tertiary institutions and has played an important role at the local university, the University of Port Elizabeth.

Always socially conscientious, he has presented many public lectures on architectural awareness, acted on several forums concerned with heritage and the urban environment and served on several panels of assessing architecture.

John Rushmere’s great buildings, his commitment to the profession, the ongoing role he plays at tertiary institutions and his efforts to raise public awareness of Architecture makes him a worthy recipient of the Institute’s Gold Medal.