Pius Edmund Pahl has always lived and breathed architecture
as important social discourse, as professional practice
in the service of clients and society at large, and as an
essential cultural pursuit and component of vigorous education.
His passion about the art of architecture and the science
of building, carpentry, joinery and cabinet-making has had
a formative influence on many South Africans; be they lay
people who admire his dexterity and professionalism in providing
them and their friends with fine and affordable contemporary
architecture which responded to their needs; or professional
colleagues who were often amazed by his tenacity in the
context of often tight budgets and his ingenuity in envisioning
and detailing airy and imminently liveable fine spaces;
or young architectural students who found in Pius and his
work a profound humanity and ethical integrity, as well
as an infectious resolve to search for sane and appropriate
architectural solutions in a disciplined and reasoned way.
The legacy of projects and built works provides
a dense testament that Pius has produced a large and notable
body of architectural work of very fine quality indeed.
Leaving aside his work in Germany, in South Africa he has
authored well over 90 architectural works, all worthy of
publication, ranging from large community buildings and
the like to very many extremely fine domestic complexes,
for which he is justly renowned.
Pius has national and international standing
as an architect of very considerable accomplishment. He
received numerous Institute Merit Awards; his buildings
have been published both nationally and internationally;
exhibitions of his work have been held both here and in
Germany; and some of his work is included in the permanent
Bauhaus exhibition in Berlin.
Pius has always been modest professionally,
and never really pushed himself to the forefront amongst
his peers. For over 30 years he was based in Stellenbosch,
away from Cape Town, where larger practices, often led by
younger professionals than himself, tended to have greater
profile.
Besides being an outstanding architect, Pius
has been a fine teacher of architecture in both Germany
and South Africa. This has been attested to by many individuals
fortunate enough to have studied under him during the period
1952-54 at the school of Architecture at UCT. Over the years,
and particularly from 1953 to the mid 1960's he gave talks
and participated in public architectural criticism that
is still considered memorable by those who were fortunate
enough to be present.
Beyond design, over the years Pius has been
instrumental in developing the capacity of builders and
tradesmen in Stellenbosch and wherever he worked, both in
urban and rural contexts. An excellent craftsman himself,
his educative thrust towards those who manufacture and assemble
components of buildings has always come naturally to him.
Never faddish, Pius's work has always managed
to convey spatial and functional mastery, together with
concerns for good light and other issues of human comfort.
His designs and working details were always resolved so
as to integrate ecological and economic concerns.
Pius was awarded life membership of the SA
Institute of Architects some years ago. Half a century ago,
when he was in his early forties, Pius was nominated and
received membership of the German Academy of Arts.
Pius has dedicated his life to architecture
and fine design. Though humble, he and his work remain an
exemplary and wise model for architecture in South Africa
and it is for this reason that the SAIA Gold Medal is awarded
to him.
