TWIMS was born out of the historic Crowhurst Manor, a landmark rich in character and architectural heritage. The original homestead was constructed at the turn of the 20th century by Sir Guy Hulett, a prominent figure in the region. Its second owners, Sir William and Lady Firth, named the estate Crowhurst after their Elizabethan family home in Surrey, England.

In the early 1970s, renowned architect Vita Coppola was commissioned to design the central section of the main Manor House. Built from stone sourced on the property, the structure was inspired by the charm of English country life and the vision of its then-owners, Joan and Bruno Lilje, who requested a castle-like aesthetic for their home.

Today, Crowhurst Manor stands as a protected heritage building—its historic exterior carefully preserved during the transformation into the Toyota Wessels Institute for Manufacturing Studies. The 21st-century evolution of the estate has been carried out with great sensitivity: interior changes have been kept to a minimum to honour the craftsmanship of the original period design.

In contrast, the auditorium—boldly modern and architecturally striking—was purposefully designed to reflect the futuristic spirit of TWIMS. Nestled behind the manor house where history meets innovation, and heritage meets the future of African manufacturing.