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Vote design 10262

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Vote design 10262

Former Kovsie represents SA in Notre Dame design competition

17 July 2019 | Story Leonie Bolleurs

Grant Bicknell, architect from Theunissen Jankowitz Architects and UFS graduate who entered GO Architect’s: The People's Notre-Dame Cathedral Design Competition.

On 15 April 2019, people worldwide saw the roof of one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture, the medieval Catholic cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris, severely damaged in a devastating fire.

Although the fire caused great sadness and the loss of a piece of history that started in 1163 – it also provided some opportunities for renewal.

A South African architect at Theunissen Jankowitz Architects and former student at the University of the Free State, Grant Bicknell, enjoys a challenge and the learning process linked to a new project; he therefore decided to enter GO Architect’s: The People's Notre-Dame Cathedral Design Competition.

His entry was one of 220 from across the world which provided an interpretation and presentation of what the roof should look like. He will represent South Africa in the competition.

Although the winning design will not be used as blueprint to rebuild the roof, it is an opportunity for participants to provide a creative architectural solution.

The competition

In his design, Bicknell – among others – brought an interfaith space to the table. He explains this aspect: “The world is going through a phase of turmoil and extremes – whether it be religious, political, environmental or economical. All have the effect of polarising opinions and ideologies.”

“France is not exempt from these catalysts of change, with anti-immigration sentiment, terrorist attacks, and radicalisation all on the rise. All of these are of great concern to the people of France, resulting in a detrimental breakdown of French public cohesion.”

“Similarly, the Catholic Church is going through a transitional period, trying to overcome a perceived public image of intolerance, an insular nature, and a fear of change.”

Bicknell believes that the Catholic Church, as a guiding light for the people of France and the world, has a responsibility to act as a beacon of positive change.

He elaborates: “The Notre-Dame de Paris has always been a constant and enduring symbol of French identity throughout its history. The significant cultural gravitas inherent in its built form affords it the opportunity – through careful and considered alteration and addition – to affect positive change in the mindsets of the people of France and the rest of the world.”

Bicknell’s proposed roof intervention recommends the introduction of a functional spiritual haven housed in the former roof of the Notre Dame, where spiritual and non-spiritual leaders of all backgrounds will spread messages of positivity and acceptance.

“This space is intended to be open to people of all religions, backgrounds, and cultures, and is placed on top of one of the most recognisable landmarks in France and the world. It is housed in the roof structure of one of Catholicism’s most recognisable symbols – an uncharacteristically progressive act of genuine humility from the Catholic Church, placing the needs of the people and the world before its own,” said Bicknell.

He believes that placing such a controversial and thought-provoking intervention on top of the Notre Dame conveys an effortless message of acceptance and inclusiveness to the people of France and the rest of the world that will ripple throughout society and history.

The designer

As architect, Bicknell is not specialising in any type of architectural work. He says he likes the challenge and the learning process when dealing with work he has no experience in.

When asked about his dream project, Bicknell indicated that he would love to be part of the David Chipperfield team. “It will be an aggressive learning curve in terms of exposure to the different elements, materials, and thinking. I believe one needs to always hunger for more challenges and that you need to question things. To stagnate in our industry, you will miss out on the bright future out there,” he says.

The Kovsie

Although he is working on big and challenging projects – providing a farm-feel identity to the new Brakpan mall – Bicknell will always have a soft spot for his alma mater, the University of the Free State Department of Architecture. He will never forget the studio culture, “because it was in those late-night hours that we solved the world’s biggest problems, got into mischief, and at the same time worked to make our deadline the next morning”.

“At no other place on campus would you find a bigger group of liberal and interesting thinkers under one roof. We not only grew in our field, but also in our character and our thinking,” he said.

Bicknell concluded: “Architecture is not everyone’s cup of tea, but if it was, the UFS would be the best choice you could ever make. The Department of Architecture is blessed with lecturers and mentors to shape you in the best architect for solving the problems out there in a creative and rational way.”

Night View of the Notre Dame with Bicknell's roof design

News Archive

MBA Programme - Question And Answer Sheet - 27 May 2004

2004-05-27

1. WHAT MUST THE UNIVERSITY OF THE FREE STATE (UFS) DO TO GET FULL ACCREDITATION FOR THE MBA PROGRAMMES?

According to the Council on Higher Education’s (CHE) evaluation, the three MBA programmes of the UFS clearly and significantly contribute to students’ knowledge and skills, are relevant for the workplace, are appropriately resourced and have an appropriate internal and external programme environment. These programmes are the MBA General, the MBA in Health Care Management and the MBA in Entrepreneurship.

What the Council on Higher Education did find, was a few technical and administrative issues that need to be addressed.

This is why the three MBA programmes of the UFS received conditional accreditation – which in itself is a major achievement for the UFS’s School of Management, which was only four years old at the time of the evaluation.

The following breakdown gives one a sense of the mostly administrative nature of the conditions that have to be met before full accreditation is granted by the CHE:

a. A formal forum of stakeholders: The UFS is required to establish a more structured, inclusive process of review of its MBA programmes. This is an administrative formality already in process.

b. A work allocation model: According to the CHE this is required to regulate the workload of the teaching staff, particularly as student numbers grow, rather than via standard management processes as currently done.

c. Contractual agreements with part-time staff: The UFS is required to enter into formal agreements with part-time and contractual staff as all agreements are currently done on an informal and claim-basis. This is an administrative formality already in process.

d. A formal curriculum committee: According to the CHE, the School of Management had realised the need for a structure – other than the current Faculty Board - where all MBA lecturers can deliberate on the MBA programmes, and serve as a channel for faculty input, consultation and decision-making.

e. A system of external moderators: This need was already identified by the UFS and the system is to be implemented as early as July 2004.

f. A compulsory research component: The UFS is required to introduce a research component which will include the development of research skills for the business environment. The UFS management identified this need and has approved such a component - it is to take effect from January 2005. This is an insufficient element lacking in virtually all MBA programmes in South Africa.

g. Support programmes for learners having problems with numeracy: The UFS identified this as a need for academic support among some learners and has already developed such a programme which will be implemented from January 2005.

The majority of these conditions have been satisfied already and few remaining steps will take effect soon. It is for this reason that the UFS is confident that its three MBA programmes will soon receive full accreditation.

2. WHAT ACCREDITATION DOES THE UFS HAVE FOR ITS MBA PROGRAMME?

The UFS’s School of Management received conditional accreditation for its three MBA programmes.

Two levels of accreditation are awarded to tertiary institutions for their MBA programmes, namely full accreditation and conditional accreditation. When a programme does not comply with the minimum requirements regarding a small number of criteria, conditional accreditation is given. This can be rectified during the short or medium term.

3. IS THERE ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE ACADEMIC CORE OF THE UFS’s MBA PROGRAMMES?

No. The UFS is proud of its three MBA programmes’ reputation in the market and the positive feedback it receives from graduandi and their employers.

The MBA programmes of the UFS meet most of the minimum requirements of the evaluation process.

In particular, the key element of ‘teaching and learning’, which relates to the curriculum and content of the MBA programmes, is beyond question. In other words, the core of what is being taught in our MBA programmes is sound.

4. IS THE UFS’s MBA A WORTHWHILE QUALIFICATION?

Yes. Earlier this year, the School of Management – young as it is - was rated by employers as the best smaller business school in South Africa. This was based on a survey conducted by the Professional Management Review and reported in the Sunday Times Business Times, of 25 January 2004.

The UFS is committed to maintaining these high standards of quality, not only through compliance with the requirements of the CHE, but also through implementing its own quality assurance measures.

Another way in which we benchmark the quality of our MBA programmes is through the partnerships we have formed with institutions such as the DePaul University in Chicago and Kansas State University, both in the US, as well as the Robert Schuman University in France.

For this reason the UFS appreciates and supports the work of the CHE and welcomes its specific findings regarding the three MBA programmes.

It is understandable that the MBA review has caused some nervousness – not least among current MBA students throughout the country.

However, one principle that the UFS management is committed to is this: preparing all our students for a world of challenge and change. Without any doubt the MBA programme of the UFS is a solid preparation.

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