Tributes pour in for Durban architect Rod Choromanski
TRIBUTES continued to pour in yesterday for award-winning local architect Rodney Choromanski, who died suddenly on Tuesday.
The architect celebrated the rich diversity of the city and had his ear to the community.
This was according to eThekwini Municipality international and governance relations head Eric Apelgren after hearing of Choromanski’s death.
Apelgren said Choromanski’s legacy would live on in the city through his design of the iconic uMkhumbane Cultural Museum, which won him the Africa Architecture award last year.
Glen Choromanski said his brother’s death came as a shock to the family because he kept physically fit through martial arts and surfing.
He also enjoyed creating music. Choromanski played the guitar and was a vocalist in his band, Manteca.
He had also started a band named On The Corner.
The Greenwood Park resident, who turned 57 on September 25, will be best remembered for designing the uMkhumbane Cultural Museum in Cato Manor with Dean Ramlal.
His funeral will be held at the museum at 9am tomorrow.
Choromanski is survived by his son, Storm.
Apelgren described Choromanski as a great human being whose architecture and love of music and the arts enabled him to make a valuable contribution to the city.
“I am sure his vision and ideas for the renewal and regeneration of the inner city will continue to influence current and young architects to make Durban a caring and liveable city for all,” Apelgren said.
Choromanski’s death came as a shock to close friends and colleagues who posted messages of condolences and wrote on Facebook about the impact he had had on them.
Tony van der Linde said, “No one soul impacted my life in such an awesome way with the freedom to live life with gusto, vibrance, song, dance, freeing me from earthly limitations to explore design, art, poetry with depth yet simplicity .... if I didn’t see him for months, there were no hang-ups, difficult conversations or hidden agendas .... A real guy and a special being!!! Enjoy your next journey friend!”
Chetty Danny said: “Was so sad, reflecting at his home, watching the shock and sadness as people streamed in, chatting to his son Storm, still dazed yet he gleams with some hope knowing so many people knew Rod, and the cat still nudges his satchel, work in progress, art, vinyls, Deco, the sadness lingers. Just gone too soon. I could almost hear the open studio come alive as we just chilled in his lounge, deep pain engulfing all who come into the most beautiful haven.”