The Old Diocesan Issue 12 - Magazine - Page 52
TWO MORE MEDALS
ROBERT GRAY MEDALLISTS:
VASSILIS SGOUTAS & TIM NOAKES
The Robert Gray Medal is the most prestigious
award the school can bestow on an OD. Last year,
we congratulated two new recipients, though sadly
one would not be able to accept his award in person
ARCHITECT FOR
THE FORGOTTEN
THE PROCESS
ODs from around the world are
invited to nominate fellow ODs
who have made a significant and
exceptional contribution in their
field of endeavour or to society
in general, writing a motivation
letter to justify their choice.
Nominations are considered and
conferred on by the selection
committee, which consists of
the College principal and the
chairmen of the College Council
and the ODU. The previous year’s
winners are announced and, if
available, then awarded their
medals on Founder’s Day.
48 | THE OLD DIOCESAN
Vassilis Sgoutas (1951G) arrived
in South Africa from Athens after
World War II, attending Bishops from
1949 to 1951. (Brother Alex (1960G)
attended later.) Known as “Basil” at
school, Vassilis matriculated in the
First Class with distinctions in Latin,
French, Greek and mathematics.
Following his architecture studies at
UCT, his career would go on to span
continents and decades, establishing
him as one of the most respected
figures in global architecture.
After early work in South Africa
and Iraq, Vassilis returned to Greece,
where he later became a partner in
Sgoutas Architects. Over the years,
the firm has undertaken projects
across Europe, the Middle East
and North Africa. Beyond his own
practice, his greatest influence came
through international leadership.
From 1999 to 2002, he served as
President of the International Union
of Architects (UIA), and in 2019 was
elected its Honorary President.
During his career, Vassilis
championed a powerful idea:
that architecture must respond
to the needs of the world’s poorest
communities. Inspired by the UN’s
“Decade for the Eradication of
Poverty”, he travelled widely to study
conditions in informal settlements,
and to encourage architects to
address housing and urban inequality.
The UIA later established the Vassilis
Sgoutas Prize, recognising architects
who improve living conditions for
people living in poverty.
Vassilis received numerous
international honours, and held
honorary fellowships at architectural
institutes worldwide, from Australia
and China to Russia and the US. He
died in Athens in late 2025, before he
could receive his Robert Gray Medal
in person. It is one of many accolades
recognising his life’s work – work
that stands as a testament to the
belief that architecture can serve
not only beauty and function, but
also human dignity.
Adapted from the formal Robert
Gray medallist citation by Jeremy
Lawrence (1952F).
