Honouring a Lifetime of Impact: Bernard Oberholzer Receives the 2025 InSite IFLA Africa Award

The International Federation of Landscape Architects (IFLA) Africa Region proudly announces Bernard Oberholzer as the recipient of the 2025 InSite IFLA Africa Award, recognizing his outstanding lifetime achievements and lasting contributions to the profession of landscape architecture in Africa.

With a career spanning over five decades, Bernard has played a defining role in shaping South Africa’s landscape architecture and urban design practice. From co-founding OvP Associates, where he guided iconic projects such as the V&A Waterfront, to leading initiatives in heritage conservation, visual assessment, and scenic route planning, Bernard’s work has influenced both the profession and the public realm in profound ways.

Beyond practice, his contributions to education at the University of Cape Town and mentorship of emerging professionals have helped nurture generations of landscape architects. His publications — including Guidelines for Site Planning, Urban Streetscapes, and A Legacy of African Landscapes, further reflect his commitment to knowledge-sharing and advancing the field.

Now based in Stanford, Western Cape, Bernard continues to lend his expertise to environmental and heritage projects, embodying the values of care, integrity, and stewardship that define the profession.

The IFLA Africa community celebrates Bernard’s exceptional career, a true testament to the power of landscape architecture to shape resilient, meaningful, and enduring places across Africa.

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