JS van der Merwe building (E6)
Photos: JS van der Merwe building today
- The subject “Aard- en Aardryksunde” (Earth Science and Geography) were taught at the Potchefstroom University College (PUC) from 1934. The first permanent lecturer was Mr JS (Jan) van der Merwe. Approval by the government to present this subject was not yet forthcoming and only came in 1936, when Van der Merwe was permanently appointed. He was promoted to professor in 1940.
- The first laboratory for the subject was officially opened on 25 May 1940. It was one of the oldest permanent buildings on the grounds and stood where the Administration Building is today.
- As with all other buildings in the vicinity, this building was not suited to be extended and only smaller alterations could be made. To meet the need for more space, available areas elsewhere on the campus needed to be used.
- The Department of Geology that previously occupied two rooms in the Geography Building, later had its own laboratory. But in 1953 ten years of growth warranted new spaces. It was therefore decided to house Geology in a new Geography building.
- By 1968 it was inevitable and urgent to build a new building. For this the executive architects, Conradie, Thiel and Van Rooyen were appointed as executive architects. This was the first of many buildings on the campus designed by Nardus Conradie.
- Plans for a three-storeyed building at an estimated cost of R573 000 with available space of 6 000 m2, were presented.
- The building was completed at the end of 1970 and was named after the first Geography lecturer, Prof JS van der Merwe.
- One of the well-known elements of the building is a marble rose pattern, made from nine different types of South African marble, on the floor of the foyer of the lowest floor. The inspiration for this was due to the fact that Geology was housed in the building. The rose is precisely aligned on the true north, which otherwise gives acknowledgement to Geography.
- The name of the department was changed to Geography in 1971.