DOI issue:
The British Empire
DOI article:Reid, Arthur H.: Domestic architecture in South Africa
DOI Page / Citation link: https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.21779#0120
SOUTH AFRICA
pilasters with entablatures over ; the doors, frames, and order surround-
ing same are painted green and the fanlights white to match the
windows. In some, but unfortunately few, cases, where the joinery is of
teak the inevitable green paint has given place to varnish, with excellent
results. The shutter fastenings and door hinges are generally of ham-
mered iron of sound and ingenious design, probably inspired by good
examples seen elsewhere. Fireplaces, though now indispensable, were
not considered necessary and therefore chimneys are seldom in evidence.
The floors are usually of large red tiles or small yellow imported clinkers,
set on edge, or of colonial wood that is practically unobtainable now.
Ceilings are of wooden boarding laid upon wrought, exposed joists, spaced
about three feet apart and stained and varnished.
As illustrated here, the planning left much to be desired, as all the service
to and from the bedrooms has to be carried out through the Voorhuis
or hall, or through the Eet Kamer or inner hall. These halls are divided
by a wooden screen, sometimes glazed. The Stoep, or paved area, along
the outside of front or other walls, for sitting out in fine weather, is
always a feature of the Cape homestead. It is seldom roofed but gene-
rally is left open, or protected against the sun by a vine on a pergola with
wooden bearers and plastered piers or columns. As a rule plastered seats
with backs, as wind-guards, are placed as terminals to the ends of the
stoep. A setting of magnificent oak-trees, vines, or pot plants produces a
most restful effect on a bright sunny day, especially when the background
is of vineyards and distant blue mountains with which the whitened
walls form a perfect harmony.
To place a similar building in the crowded street frontage of a town
would be as absurd as it would be uncomfortable. It is therefore sub-
mitted that the style of building above described may with propriety
be claimed by the “ Cape ” as its own, and as a natural development due
to the singular local conditions of materials, labour, and natural surround-
ings that existed in the seventeenth century.
It is to be hoped that the architects of South
Africa will respect and uphold the traditions
and characteristics of Cape domestic design,
but at the same time improve upon it by the
adoption of such modern appliances and plan-
ning as will secure better hygienic conditions
combined with comfort, privacy, and conveni-
ence of service. In conclusion, there can be
little doubt that the outlines of the Cape gables
are copies of examples still to be seen in
Zeeland, Utrecht, Bruges, and the Isle of
Thanet ; but the details of mouldings SfA
and enrichments in the majority of
106
Seat
TYPICAL PLAN OF CAPS FARMHOUSE
pilasters with entablatures over ; the doors, frames, and order surround-
ing same are painted green and the fanlights white to match the
windows. In some, but unfortunately few, cases, where the joinery is of
teak the inevitable green paint has given place to varnish, with excellent
results. The shutter fastenings and door hinges are generally of ham-
mered iron of sound and ingenious design, probably inspired by good
examples seen elsewhere. Fireplaces, though now indispensable, were
not considered necessary and therefore chimneys are seldom in evidence.
The floors are usually of large red tiles or small yellow imported clinkers,
set on edge, or of colonial wood that is practically unobtainable now.
Ceilings are of wooden boarding laid upon wrought, exposed joists, spaced
about three feet apart and stained and varnished.
As illustrated here, the planning left much to be desired, as all the service
to and from the bedrooms has to be carried out through the Voorhuis
or hall, or through the Eet Kamer or inner hall. These halls are divided
by a wooden screen, sometimes glazed. The Stoep, or paved area, along
the outside of front or other walls, for sitting out in fine weather, is
always a feature of the Cape homestead. It is seldom roofed but gene-
rally is left open, or protected against the sun by a vine on a pergola with
wooden bearers and plastered piers or columns. As a rule plastered seats
with backs, as wind-guards, are placed as terminals to the ends of the
stoep. A setting of magnificent oak-trees, vines, or pot plants produces a
most restful effect on a bright sunny day, especially when the background
is of vineyards and distant blue mountains with which the whitened
walls form a perfect harmony.
To place a similar building in the crowded street frontage of a town
would be as absurd as it would be uncomfortable. It is therefore sub-
mitted that the style of building above described may with propriety
be claimed by the “ Cape ” as its own, and as a natural development due
to the singular local conditions of materials, labour, and natural surround-
ings that existed in the seventeenth century.
It is to be hoped that the architects of South
Africa will respect and uphold the traditions
and characteristics of Cape domestic design,
but at the same time improve upon it by the
adoption of such modern appliances and plan-
ning as will secure better hygienic conditions
combined with comfort, privacy, and conveni-
ence of service. In conclusion, there can be
little doubt that the outlines of the Cape gables
are copies of examples still to be seen in
Zeeland, Utrecht, Bruges, and the Isle of
Thanet ; but the details of mouldings SfA
and enrichments in the majority of
106
Seat
TYPICAL PLAN OF CAPS FARMHOUSE