Shelagh S Nation

Hellmut Stauch Shelagh S Nation

This book was written as a tribute to Hellmut Stauch, one of South Africa's greatest architects of the 20th century. It tells the story of his early years, of the practice that he built, and of the many aspects of this multi-faceted man, as remembered by his partners, associates, friends, family members and members of the sailing fraternity. Much of the material is from the research for a dissertation that I submitted to the University of Pretoria in 1985 as part of the requirements for the M Arch degree. I first encountered Hellmut when he was a lecturer at the University of Pretoria, where I was one of his students. He had very little time for females as students-there were only very few of us at the time-so when some years later I became an Associate in the Pietersburg branch of Stauch Vorster, I could hardly believe my luck. I soon found that the stories of him as a minor tyrant were unfounded. He was simply a brilliant architect with very strong views on design and with an overpowering determination to be the best in every field, who also demanded-and got-only the best from his partners, associates and staff. And he was also a fine yachtsman, a formidable adversary on the water and a winner of races in almost every class of boat. It is fitting that the story of his early years and of the practice that he founded, at one time the largest in Africa, should be recorded, for those who were not fortunate enough to know him-and for those who knew him and may be reminded of times long past.