Dr Nicolas Baumann passed away on 07 January 2025

The APHP is sad to advise that Dr Nicolas Exner Baumann passed away yesterday.

Nicolas Baumann was undoubtedly one of the most prominent heritage consultants in private practice in the Western Cape for the last 30 years. Working out of the office of Revel Fox (his uncle) he conducted various important surveys of Cape Town as well as heritage reports (notably Groot Constantia) that served as benchmarks as the profession developed. His work at the V&A Waterfront provided the groundwork for the heritage conservation of that vital part of Cape Town. Nicolas provided outstanding conservation skills while maintaining the calm demeanour that was so much part of his personality.

Nicolas Baumann held a Master’s degree (MCRP) from UCT, an MSC (Ox.Br) and a Doctorate in Conservation Studies from the University of York. He was involved in heritage consultancy work, initially as a partner at Revel Fox & Partners and subsequently in his own practice. He participated in heritage surveys for the Table Mountain National Park, the V&A Waterfront, the Parliamentary Precinct in Cape Town as well as for the Municipalities of Overstrand, Drakenstein, Swartland and Mossel Bay. Together with Sarah Winter he was responsible for the CMP for the Nelson Mandela Prison House at Drakenstein Correctional Facility and the heritage component of the Overstrand Spatial Development Framework and many other significant projects. He was a member of the Cape Institute of Architects Heritage Committee and the Built Environment and Landscape Committee of Heritage Western Cape. He also served on the Heritage Oversight Committee of Vergelegen in Somerset West.

When the Association of Heritage Assessment Practitioners (or AHAP as it was then) was founded in 2003, Nicolas played an important part in setting the foundations, most notably as the principal author of the Code of Ethics. These founding documents have guided what became the Association of Professional Heritage Practitioners (APHP).

Nicolas served on various committees of Heritage Western Cape (HWC) from the time of the establishment of the organisation. He had for many years, until the time of his death, served as a member of the HWC Appeals Committee. Nicolas  could always be relied on to provide sound advice when faced with complex ethical issues.

There is no doubt that the passing of Nicolas will leave a big space in his professional and social world. He is survived by his wife Manina, daughter Maria and son Daniel, as well his first grandchild, Audra.