Cape Dutch Architecture, one of my favourites.
Ever since moving to South Africa in 1999 I have been a fan of Cape Dutch Architecture. I love the heritage homes we have here as well as the cutting-edge modern homes I see all over Johannesburg.
This elegant style of architecture evolved from the 17th century through to the early 19th century. Early Cape Dutch buildings were simple thatched-roof, whitewashed farm houses. Rectangular in shape with a wooden frame, wattle and claywalls and shuttered windows symmetrically placed either side of the central front door.
Most houses only had two rooms leading from either side of the front hallway. One used as a living room and the other for sleeping. Floors were made out of mud or dung insert with peach pips and polished to a shine.
As owners became more prosperous, this was reflected in the architecture and only a few examples of this early form Cape Dutch architecture remain, one of which is at the Kleinplasie Museum in Worcester.
Influenced by 17th and 18th century architectural trends in Holland, gables were introduced to homes being built in the Cape. This became the distinguishing feature of Cape Dutch architecture which has endured to this day.
Initially there was one large gable above the front door, allowing space for the family coat of arms, date of construction or any other embellishments which were meaningful to the owners.
Houses began to get larger and spread out from the original rectangular shape to become H, T, or U-shaped, but were still uniform in many features.
The two rooms either side of the central front door were the main living room referred to as the voorkamer (front room) and the main bedroom. A central corridor led to a second living room referred to as the agterkamer (back room), additional bedrooms, sometimes an office or study area, and the kitchen. There were no indoor bathrooms until around the mid 19th century.
Highly polished yellowwood floors replaced the mud and dung previously used, and furniture became more sophisticated, with imported furniture from Europe.
The chief architect of this style was Louis Thibault, with Anton Anreith as master sculptor. In time, additional gables were added to larger homes, with the whitewashed walls and shuttered windows still a prominent feature.
The Cape Winelands boasts a number of these beautiful homes, many of which are owned by the descendants of the families who originally had them built.
The architectural style is synonymous with the wealthy farms and wine estates established by the first settlers to arrive in South Africa, and many of these buildings remain in their original condition. Some buildings are 350 years old.
If you are keen to see Cape Dutch Architecture then it’s best to head out of Cape Town itself. Stellenbosch is a treasure trove of Cape Dutch Architecture. Walking through the town itself you will see many examples and in the nearby wine estates Spier and Lanzerac. Boschendal Wine Estate in Franschhoek has a beautiful H-shaped manor house that has been fully restored. It was built in 1812 and is a national monument.
Dr André van Graan, a heritage architect based in Cape Town has an affinity for Cape Dutch architecture which he pins on the style’s simplicity and the use of materials readily available.
“I think that the simple expression of form using available materials such as thatch, mud bricks, lime plaster and limewash create an honest and direct expression, even in the more elaborately gabled houses there is a clear indication of the hand of the mason who constructed it in the curves and flows of the gable form.” Dr Andre van Graan
“What tends to be much more prevalent in the Cape is the central gable, which is less common in Europe, but possibly developed here because land was more readily available, particularly in places such as Cape Town.” Dr Andre van Graan
Van Graan believes that “the softness and unevenness of our walls in the strong African sun is particularly striking”. Similar architecture in Europe is usually constructed in brick which is more uniform and often duller.
Cape Dutch architecture is a classic example of South African architecture. It’s very beautiful and spread north to Johannesburg and it still sought after today in modern buildings.
The View Boutique Hotel in Molesey Avenue, Auckland Park was built by SIr Julius Jeppe (Founder of the South African Townships, Mining and Finance Corporation in 1905) for his daughter as a wedding gift in 1923. Julius Jeppe was knighted for his pioneering role in the development of Johannesburg in 1922.
About 14 years ago I designed a Cape Dutch style Guest House in Craighall Park. The picture at the start of the article is the rear view of the hotel overlooking the pool.
Contemporary architects Beverley Hui and Claude Behrmann are well known for their modern Cape Dutch houses.
South Africa’s Cape Dutch architecture is very beautiful — defined by elaborate gables, whitewashed walls and thatched roofs. It has deep roots in South Africa’s colonial past. Today it is still very popular and there are modern estates (where you can buy a plot of land and build a house) in the Cape that are exclusively Cape Dutch in style. For example in Jacobosbai on the Western Cape coast.
Some have suggested that Cape Dutch architecture is the most important contribution that settlers made to world culture.
I love Architecture. I think it’s vital to talk about all aspects of Architecture — whether it be planning, construction, design or green building. I have written 3 E-Books & over 110 articles. Please feel free to let me know if you have any queries regarding architecture, planning & construction & I will assist you.
I am originally from the UK and moved to South Africa in 1999. I started Blue Designs in 2004 after working as a driver for Avalon Construction on a luxury home in the Featherbrook Estate. In my spare time I am an artist and writer (The Naked Architect).
Phone- +27 82 399 0180
Email — clairecardwell@gmail.com
Website- www.bluedesigns.org
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https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-cardwell-ab438a17
Other Articles I have written include :-
https://medium.com/the-naked-architect/will-the-leaning-tower-of-pisa-fall-over-d9488f24fefd
https://medium.com/the-naked-architect/copycat-architecture-is-booming-in-china-87b2f4b9f628
https://medium.com/@clairecardwell/green-buildings-are-healthier-5ed1471344b2
Sources :-
https://www.southafrica.com/blog/historical-legacy-of-cape-dutch-architecture/
http://12234455.co.za/cape-dutch-architecture-is-real-old-world-style/
https://www.claudebehrmannarchitect.com/
https://www.architectcapetown.co.za/ (Beverley Hui Architects)
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