Lewis Levin

Lewis Levin is a South African architect and sculptor renowned for integrating art and architecture through innovative steel fabrications and sculptural installations. He is based in Johannesburg and Cape Town and has contributed significantly to urban renewal projects and public memorials.

Levin's architectural philosophy is deeply influenced by his early experiences in his father's machine shop in Johannesburg's Selby industrial area, where he developed an appreciation for industrial design and fabrication. This background led him to study architecture at the University of the Witwatersrand, where he was mentored by Pancho Guedes, a Mozambican architect known for blending art and architecture. Guedes emphasized the unity of architecture, art, drawing, and sculpture, inspiring Levin to approach his work as a fusion of these disciplines.

Levin's work often features light-filtering steel screens that serve both functional and aesthetic purposes. These screens mimic natural dappled light and are integrated into architectural facades, creating dynamic interactions between interior and exterior spaces. Notable examples include the interlinking screens at the Metro Mall taxi rank complex and the west façade of the Constitutional Court of South Africa.

A significant project in Levin's career is the memorial to Duma Nokwe, the first black advocate to practice at the Johannesburg Bar. Levin utilized his signature medium of light-filtering screens to create a portrait of Nokwe, aiming to produce an image that is both present and ghostly, reflecting the enduring legacy of those who fought against apartheid.

Levin's work is represented in the Constitutional Court Art Collection (CCAC), where his collaborative piece Sun Screens with artist Patrick Rorke is displayed. This artwork, created in 2004, exemplifies Levin's approach to integrating art and architecture, using engraved metal to create dynamic light effects within the court's public spaces.

Currently, Levin continues to work on projects that merge architecture and art, contributing to the cultural and architectural landscape of South Africa.

References

Anstey, G., n.d. Who is Lewis Levin? South African History Archives. Available at: https://sthp.saha.org.za/memorial/articles/who_is_lewis_levin.htm [Accessed 26 September 2025].

Levin, L. and CCAC team. 2021. CCAC virtual interview with Lewis Levin on 18/11/2021 - transcript. [online] Available at: https://ccac.concourttrust.org...