Roger du Toit 1939-2015
Roger du Toit, a founding partner of DTAH, died peacefully and surrounded by his family on Sunday, May 31, as a result of a bike accident.
Roger's professional life spanned three continents and more than 50 years. Educated as an architect and urban designer first in South Africa and later at the University of Toronto, Roger began his working life at the offices of H.G. Huckle & Partners in London, England. In 1966 he joined John Andrews Architects in Toronto, where he played a pivotal role in the design of Toronto's CN Tower and Canberra's Municipal Offices at Belconnen, along with leading the firm’s urban design and master planning divisions. Establishing his own architecture and urban design practice in the early 1970's, and later achieving designation as a certified landscape architect, Roger dedicated his career to the integration of these three disciplines of design. Evident in all of Roger’s work is the ambition to create environments that meet the needs of economy and utility, while being socially responsive and a joy to inhabit. Continuing his work in partnership with Robert Allsopp and John Hillier (establishing du Toit Allsopp Hillier in 1985), and more recently within the expanded partnership known as DTAH, Roger's leadership in the realms of community and campus master planning, urban intensification, and innovative transportation planning is second to none. His commitment to shaping the urban form of Canada's National Capital for more than 30 years stands as a testament to his dedication, tenacity, and his love of the work.
If desired, charitable donations in memory of Roger can be directed to the John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design at the University of Toronto.
DTAH will be hosting an event for Roger’s professional colleagues and contacts on Monday, June 15th from 4pm to 8pm at 50 Park Road.