DOI Heft:
The British Empire
DOI Artikel:Reid, Arthur H.: Domestic architecture in South Africa
DOI Seite / Zitierlink: https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.21779#0121
SOUTH AFRICA
gables at the Cape suggest an utter ignorance of the grammar of orna-
ment.
Some of the accompanying illustrations will, it is hoped, give an idea
of the type of Domestic Architecture referred to above. Of the older
houses three are shown of which the front of “ Nectar ” (p. i io) offers
a good example of the open stoep ; while the view of “ Tokai ” (p. 109)
illustrates the addition of the vine pergola. The stoep and pergola seen
in another view of “ Tokai ” (p. 110), with the red tiled floor and cool
seats, suggest rest and comfort on a hot day. “ Morgenster ” (p. 109) is
another interesting and characteristic example of the “ Cape ” style.
Of the more modern houses illustrated “ Villa Arcadia,” the Johannes-
burg residence of Sir Lionel Philips, Bart., is the most important. Ex-
cellent views of this house will be found on pages 11 1 to 114. It is situated
in the suburb of Park Town and commands a fine view of the rolling
veldt. The exterior walls are faced with plaster, with very little embel-
lishment in the form of mouldings. The principal stoep has a plaster
ceiling, while the cloister ceiling is of timber over white columns, with
an overhanging roof. Notable features of the exterior are the two
beautiful iron balconies to the upper windows on either side, and an old
Italian wrought-iron gateway in the arch at the end of the loggia. The
roofs are covered with pantiles, the first ever made in the Transvaal, and
it is interesting to note that most of the external and internal metal-
work was executed by a South African craftsman, Mr. Ness. Mr. Her-
bert Baker designed the house. Another house, “ Welgelegen,” by the
same architect, is illustrated on page 115. It is a good example of the
Cape Colonial Dutch style and maintains the leading characteristic of
the type. The house occupies the site of an older structure around
which had grown a fine old garden.
Of the two houses by Messrs. Lyon and Fallan illustrated (pp. 116 and
117),“ Charleroi,” Sea Point, has a veranda and balcony of reinforced
concrete ; while the roof is of slate with a tile ridge. The roof of “ Au
Caillou ” is of “ malthoid ” surfaced with asbestos. “ Cheyne,” Kenil-
worth (p. x 18), is a comfortable-looking residence designed by Messrs.
Arthur and Walter Reid. The exterior walls are rough-cast, and the
roof is covered with mottled Brosely tiles. The Parsonage, Montagu
(p 118), was designed by Messrs. Parker and Forsyth and is typical of
better class domestic work in rural districts where the cost of freightage
necessitates the use of iron roofing. This difficulty is now being over-
come in some parts by the local manufacture of more suitable roofing
material. Messrs. Parker and Forsyth also designed the Nurses’ Home
at Somerset Hospital, an entrance porch of which will be found on
page 119. On the same page we show a seaside villa at St. James, Cape
Town, by Mr. W. J. Delbridge, one of a group situated on a hillside.
107
gables at the Cape suggest an utter ignorance of the grammar of orna-
ment.
Some of the accompanying illustrations will, it is hoped, give an idea
of the type of Domestic Architecture referred to above. Of the older
houses three are shown of which the front of “ Nectar ” (p. i io) offers
a good example of the open stoep ; while the view of “ Tokai ” (p. 109)
illustrates the addition of the vine pergola. The stoep and pergola seen
in another view of “ Tokai ” (p. 110), with the red tiled floor and cool
seats, suggest rest and comfort on a hot day. “ Morgenster ” (p. 109) is
another interesting and characteristic example of the “ Cape ” style.
Of the more modern houses illustrated “ Villa Arcadia,” the Johannes-
burg residence of Sir Lionel Philips, Bart., is the most important. Ex-
cellent views of this house will be found on pages 11 1 to 114. It is situated
in the suburb of Park Town and commands a fine view of the rolling
veldt. The exterior walls are faced with plaster, with very little embel-
lishment in the form of mouldings. The principal stoep has a plaster
ceiling, while the cloister ceiling is of timber over white columns, with
an overhanging roof. Notable features of the exterior are the two
beautiful iron balconies to the upper windows on either side, and an old
Italian wrought-iron gateway in the arch at the end of the loggia. The
roofs are covered with pantiles, the first ever made in the Transvaal, and
it is interesting to note that most of the external and internal metal-
work was executed by a South African craftsman, Mr. Ness. Mr. Her-
bert Baker designed the house. Another house, “ Welgelegen,” by the
same architect, is illustrated on page 115. It is a good example of the
Cape Colonial Dutch style and maintains the leading characteristic of
the type. The house occupies the site of an older structure around
which had grown a fine old garden.
Of the two houses by Messrs. Lyon and Fallan illustrated (pp. 116 and
117),“ Charleroi,” Sea Point, has a veranda and balcony of reinforced
concrete ; while the roof is of slate with a tile ridge. The roof of “ Au
Caillou ” is of “ malthoid ” surfaced with asbestos. “ Cheyne,” Kenil-
worth (p. x 18), is a comfortable-looking residence designed by Messrs.
Arthur and Walter Reid. The exterior walls are rough-cast, and the
roof is covered with mottled Brosely tiles. The Parsonage, Montagu
(p 118), was designed by Messrs. Parker and Forsyth and is typical of
better class domestic work in rural districts where the cost of freightage
necessitates the use of iron roofing. This difficulty is now being over-
come in some parts by the local manufacture of more suitable roofing
material. Messrs. Parker and Forsyth also designed the Nurses’ Home
at Somerset Hospital, an entrance porch of which will be found on
page 119. On the same page we show a seaside villa at St. James, Cape
Town, by Mr. W. J. Delbridge, one of a group situated on a hillside.
107