A day in the life at the University of Pretoria. 01 March 1943

On this "Day in the life of the University of Pretoria" the Prof. A.L. Mering became started his position as the head of the Department of Architecture and Building Science. Prof. Meiring was the head of the department for 23 years.

UP's iconc entrance © UP Archives

The department flourished under his leadership, producing 240 architects. He main architectural influence was on the church and house architecture in the then Transvaal province. He designed the Transvaal Provincial building as well as the SABC building in Cape town and the library building on the Potchefstroom University campus. He also played a role in the design of UP’s campus especially the inner court of the Old Arts building and the main entrance with its column structures (pictured above).  In 1956 he received an honorary reward from the South African Academy of Science and Art for his contribution to architecture in South Africa.

The UPA preserves the history of the University of Pretoria. We have an extensive photo collection and earlier copies of the senate, council and faculty minutes. The volumes of the University’s history captured in Ad Destinatium i-v also forms part of our collection. Please contact us on [email protected] to share your memories of Tukkies or access our collection virtually.