In 1933 it was decided by the University to construct a separate
building for the library which was then still located in the Old
Arts building. With a contribution of £10 000 from mining
geologist Dr Hans Merensky, construction started in 1937.
General Jan Smuts laid the cornerstone on 11 October 1937 and on
15 April 1938 the building was officially opened. “This country
has given me so much that I am only too happy to be allowed to
help it to develop and to be able to give back to it a fraction
of what it has given to me...” - Hans Merensky, at the opening
of the Merensky Library. In designing the building, architect
Gerhard Moerdyk was influenced by various styles, including Art
Deco, Neo-Classicism, Arts and Crafts, as well as local styles
such as Cape Dutch and Regency. Moerdyk himself described the
building as a study in Persian style, with influences from
Africa including the Zimbabwe and ancient Egyptian ruins. He
used local materials and incorporated symbols of African origin.
The prominent zigzag pa