BACKGROUND TO THE PRACTICE
The practice was established in Mossel Bay in 1958 under the title Myerson Smit & Fraser with Mr. N A Myerson as the resident partner and Mr. A S Smit and Mr. M P Fraser running an office in George. Mr. I S Hamilton, who had been employed in the Mossel Bay office since 1968 became a partner in 1980. In 1983 Mr. M P Fraser retired and the name of the practice was changed to Myerson Smit & Hamilton. Mr. A S Smit retired in 1985. Mr. N A Myerson retired in 1996. Mr. D Nel joined the practice in 1996 and retired in 2019 due to ill health. Zack Wessels joined Ian Hamilton in October 2019, and the name of the practice became HAMILTON WESSELS ARCHITECTS. Reuben Roode became a partner in 2022.
The firm has since been involved in various projects covering a broad-spectrum of buildings in the Garden Route vicinity. These projects range from buildings within the public sector, such as the George Magistrates Offices, George Airport, Mossel Bay Prison, Mossel Bay Civic Centres and Municipal offices, Point High School, Mossel Bay as well as Hartenbos Primary School, to various hotels, retirement villages, flats and private residences in the Western Cape.
The involvement and exposure to such a wide scale of projects over the years has led to an experienced design approach of careful consideration and thorough research on the client requirements, environmental impact and community involvement. This enables the professional team to provide the necessary expertise and input to promote contemporary architecture that integrates and uplifts the community at large whilst considering the client’s needs.
The main objective of Hamilton Wessels Architects is to deliver a purpose driven product. Striving towards creating architecture unbound to eras or styles, but timeless grounded buildings. Drawing inspiration from the natural landscape, human experience and its larger socio-economic context. Architecture crafted through precise detail and care to arrive at meaningful place making.
WHAT WE STAND FOR
As a team we draw inspiration from the dreams and aspirations of the clients we work with, seeking to find innovative architectural design solutions. Contextually we work toward a symbiotic relationship between landscape, climate, context and the project brief that ultimately ties in with the spirit of the place. Nothing under the sun is new and we are therefore carefully considerate of our diverse heritage as it speaks to all spheres of life. We as a firm strive to create meaningful connections with our community and in the process create meaningful places for people to enjoy and to be uplifted.
THE TEAM
Ian Stewart Hamilton
SQE, Arch
Director
After arriving in Mossel Bay in 1968, Ian not only invested in building the practice but also spent his time raising a family and having a lifelong connection with the town.
You’re likely to spot the national water polo representative and 50-year stalwart of the National Sea Rescue Institute slicing through the morning waves off Santos’ Beach, or tucked into a coffee shop for his daily breakfast ritual before work.
Ian is deeply invested in seeing the town’s historic heart, its once-proud main street, revived with the dignity and vibrancy it deserves.
Zack Gerhardus Wessels
M Arch Prof – 2009
Director
Zack traded chalkboards in Bloemfontein for blueprints in Mossel Bay, swapping academia for action. A former university lecturer turned hands-on architect, where his passion ignited working on a construction site in the UK.
His claim to fame is that he once veered wildly into a Spanish bull run and stuck “The Full-Twisting Gienger” on national-level gymnastics.
As a member of the Municipal Aesthetic Committee and a master’s candidate in Conservation of the Built Environment, Zack is committed to preserving the soul of Mossel Bay while reimagining its future. His ultimate vision inspired by his hobby would be integrating a rock-climbing wall into the cliffs at The Point, if only the Heritage Committee would allow.
Reuben Roode
M Arch Prof – 2019
Director
Reuben’s architectural knowledge was broadened on the road cycling over 4,000 km through Eastern Africa before penning his master’s dissertation. His takeaway? Africa’s built environment is deeply layered, shaped by Eastern, Western, and traditional forces alike, and has the power to divide or connect communities.
Today, Reuben is dedicated to projects that do the latter. With a deep curiosity and a firm belief in architecture’s capability as a social catalyst, his designs aim to reflect, respect, and elevate the context they live in.
Marilene Vermaak
M Arch Prof – 2023
Candidate Architect
Marilene grew up among the dairy farms and stormy rhythms of Eersterivier, where an early curiosity about space and structure led her to pursue architecture. She swapped farm life for city lights to study in Port Elizabeth, and brings a grounded yet ambitious energy to the practice.
She took up boxing as a hobby, not just for fitness, but to make sure she holds her ground on the construction sites.
Michelle Loubser
Office Manager
Since 1993, Michelle has been working behind the scenes to ensure the smooth running of the practice—handling finances, administration, and the wellbeing of the entire team.
Her secret to a healthy, functioning office? An unwavering supply of coffee and rusks.
contact us
Call
044 690 3319
061 155 2803
Address
88 Montagu street, Mossel Bay
P O Box 260, Mossel Bay
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