A legacy of functional design

Hans Oppenberg retires

Hans Oppenberg’s career in architecture spans more than 37 years during which he has made a substantial contribution to the profession by playing a leading part in many projects that have shaped the development of local commercial infrastructure.

His 34 years of design excellence as an architect and project director at the award-winning multidisciplinary firm, Bentel Associates International (BAI), has significantly contributed to the firm’s success and reputation as a leading, service-oriented commercial design company that is committed to excellence. He has been an integral part of the design and planning of commercial buildings for over three decades.

Oppenberg qualified as an architect in Germany in the early 60s where his architectural training included working on building sites and gaining first hand experience in the practical implementation of design. With an in-depth knowledge of the practicalities of building and construction, engineering and architecture, Oppenberg came to South Africa in 1965 on a contract for an engineering company designing and implementing compact sewerage purification plants. After the successful completion of his contract and obtaining local qualifications, he joined BAI, then known as Bentel Abramson, in 1969 and commenced what was to become an outstanding career in South Africa.

Oppenberg’s fondly recalls his first project, the documentation of the design for the first indoor shopping centre in SA, Heathway centre in Blackheath, Johannesburg. “It was a new concept in this country,” he recalls, “the original design of a single level building soon changed to a double storey building and we quickly learnt that the design of a shopping centre is a living and flexible entity.” In those days before the advent of computers on every desk, his colleagues referred to him as a ‘living computer’ because of his quick and accurate numerical ability and his fast and efficient delivery of documentation.

Oppenberg was subsequently a key member of the architecture team for the design of many projects that including several buildings considered iconic at the time such as the Standard Bank building in Rosebank and the Firs. Another first for Bentel followed and Hans was a leading figure in the development of the Pick ‘n Pay hypermarkets in the 1970s. 

His attention to detail and his systematic and methodical approach to drawings and design implementation have become the company’s benchmark against which subsequent work has been measured. “It simplifies things if you have an exemplary procedural system for production and documentation. There is a logical and sequential way to proceed with a project. If you work to a system, it makes life so much easier for you. Design excellence was never intended to be that the building just looks good. It has to work well, it has to be efficient and functional and it has to be practical in terms of implementation. Innovative and very creative designs must take into account the practicalities,” he comments.

“Hans, well-known among his colleagues and clients as a perfectionist, has been a passionate and effective advocate for the achievement of design excellence,” says Stephen Roberts, architect and BAI managing director. “He has the tenacity to persist until things are done ‘right’. His priorities are consistent with the values of BAI and his considerable expertise has proved invaluable as the company has grown in stature over the years. He has played a vital role in the development of BAI from a small practice to one of the largest architecture firms in Africa.”

Oppenberg says that one of his biggest and most interesting challenges was the restoration and development of the Workshop in Durban. The building, dating back to the 1800s, had to be gutted and rebuilt from the inside. The historically significant old stationmaster’s house, which was on the verge of collapse, had to be carefully and accurately restored as it was a protected building. “Having to work within the original shell was very problematic,” he recalls. “In addition, the site was an extremely difficult one to work on – it was in a terrible state. We also had to work with architectural drawings that were nearly a century old.”

The building Oppenberg is most proud of is the highly successful Pavilion shopping centre in Durban, which has undergone several upgrades. “This building required some really innovative design strategies and problem-solving when it was extended,” he says. “The steel reinforcing to columns had to be pre-designed to accommodate several additional floors under the building at a later stage.” This is just the sort of project that Oppenberg revels in and the ongoing success of the centre is testimony to his efforts.

Looking back at his years with BAI op says what he has really enjoyed most has been all the practicalities involved in getting a project to completion. “What I really enjoy is to see a project take shape from the early design phase to the finished construction – I enjoy being practical about getting things operational and functional.” He is quick to mention that he never did it on his own and stresses the importance of always getting a second opinion from other team members. “It is important to take into account that achievements on large and complex projects are brought about by teams of people and other support staff working together. I continuously refer back to the team and all the designers, it’s essential to get everyone’s continual input, and I have always valued the opinions of others. I always tell newcomers not to do things on their own and to get the views of others.” 

“There have many times when Hans was given a difficult design or a concept and asked to make it workable – often a challenging task but one which he excels at. He has done an excellent job of raising the bar on how architecture and project implementation should be approached,” adds Roberts.

Oppenberg has spent a considerable amount of time assisting inexperienced newcomers to optimise their skills and has helped some of the country’s most up-and-coming younger architects to realise their potential. "Many are indebted to him for the mentoring and guidance he provided. Although he was often considered a highly demanding taskmaster he had great patience and helped to develop them into fine architects,” says Roberts. Oppenberg’s advice for newly qualified architects is simple: “Be prepared to work hard, listen and learn from those with experience, be disciplined and make the most of your career – it can bring you great fulfilment.”

Oppenberg, who has never utilised computers for design, has the utmost respect for those architects who still do all their drawings by hand. “Hand drawn designs carry an emotive element which computer assisted drawings cannot do. I greatly admire architects like Garth Johnson, a legend at BAI because of his amazing hand drawn designs. It is much easier for a client to envisage the completed project from these drawings.” 

Oppenberg, who turns 69 this year, initially retired in 2003 but his services were in such demand that he continued working and has only now formally retired for the second time. Although retiring from full-time work in the profession his wisdom and skills will not go to waste as he has committed himself to some consulting involvement for BAI. With his experience in upholding design standards and overseeing efficient project delivery he will continue to work on several of the firms’ large-scale projects in Cape Town and Durban. He has also established his own small practice with a primary focus on residential work. An apartment block on the South Coast of Natal has already been designed and developed and he has several other projects in the pipeline. “I hope that I will continue to contribute in a positive way to the profession that I love,” he says.

Oppenberg’s retirement will be a busy one but he will continue to enjoy his model building hobby, golf and travel. He and his wife Ulla own a holiday home at Marina Beach that they visit every two months.

“Hans’s contributions to our firm have been extensive. As one of the longest serving members of the company, has played a leading role in establishing a foundation for Bentel’s continued success and we sincerely thank him,” said CEO Alf Abrahamson. “We're fortunate to have had such a talented professional with our firm for so long and we trust that those who follow in his footsteps will have similar intellect, talent, energy and commitment.”