Joseph Moses Gerald Gordon (14 December 1933 – 11 September 2016) was a South African architect,[1][2] Professor (1976–1994) at the University of Witwatersrand School of Architecture, and Honorary Research Fellow of the university (1994-2016).[3][4] He is best known for inventing the "Thin-Skin" building method.[5][6] His papers and drawings are archived at the University of the Witwatersrand School of Architecture & Planning.[7] He was president of the Transvaal (now Gauteng) Institute of Architects in 1978 and 1979.[8] His residential home was commemorated with a "Blue Plaque"[9] by the Johannesburg Heritage Foundation in 2021.[10]

JM Gerald Gordon
Born(1933-12-14)14 December 1933
Vryheid, South Africa
Died11 September 2016(2016-09-11) (aged 82)
Johannesburg, South Africa
Burial placeWest Park Jewish Cemetery, Johannesburg
EducationM.Arch; Ph.D.
Alma materUniversity of Witwatersrand
Occupation(s)Architect, academic
Years active1955-2016
SpouseLoraine Gordon (d.2020)

Early life

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He was born in Vryheid in Natal to Lithuanian Jewish parents.[10] The family moved to Johannesburg for its larger Jewish community.[10] Gordon had a Bar Mitzvah at Yeoville Shul in Yeoville, an inner city neighbourhood of Johannesburg.[10] He attended Athlone Boys' High School in the city.[10]

References

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  1. ^ "Obituary. Journal of the South African Institute of Architects. p.13" (PDF).
  2. ^ "GORDON, Joseph Moses Gerald". www.artefacts.co.za. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  3. ^ "Obituary content by year - Wits University". www.wits.ac.za. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  4. ^ "Wits Review May 2017 by Wits Alumni Relations - Issuu". issuu.com. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  5. ^ ""The Transformation of Informal Housing into Permanent Sustainable Settlements." SB'04. Stellenbosch, 2004" (PDF).
  6. ^ Leibowitz, Julie (5 October 2020). "Joburg – city of architects and dreamers". Jewish Report. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  7. ^ Librarian, Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment: John Moffat Building, University of the Witwatersrand, I Jan Smuts Avenue, Johannesburg 2000, South Africa.
  8. ^ "Presidents | GIfA | Gauteng Institute for Architecture | Johannesburg (Joburg), Gauteng, South Africa". www.gifa.org.za. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  9. ^ "Johannesburg Heritage Foundation list of Blue Plaques".
  10. ^ a b c d e Gordon, Adam (4 November 2021). "Moving mountains – SA architect honoured with blue plaque". South African Jewish Report.