Cape Dutch architecture

The Cape Dutch architecture originated with the arrival of Dutch settlers in the Western Cape in South Africa today in the middle of the 17th century. In 1850 it was replaced by other architectural styles. Many Cape Dutch houses are listed buildings.

Characteristics

Especially representative houses were built in the Cape Dutch style, but also churches. The houses are characterized by an axially symmetrical ground plan, often in T- or H- shape from. About the centrally located main entrance is a large, due to rounding consuming and individually decorated gables. On the sides which also has gable that fail usually less expensive. The house is whitewashed. The houses bear a thatched roof. As building material usually bricks were used. In Cape Town was abandoned because of the danger of fire on the installation of chimneys.

To the front entrance usually a few steps up. In addition to the front entrance there are two windows of half-width to the outside two or four windows with full-width, mostly framed windows. Above the entrance you will find another window with full width. Behind the entrance is usually the front room ( voor kamer ) with the doors to the wings and rest rooms. Behind it lies the agterkamer, the living room. The fireplace in the kitchen was open.

Received Cape Dutch houses can be found along the Wine Route and Stellenbosch, Swellendam, Tulbagh and Graaff -Reinet. Many wineries advertise with pictures of houses for their products. The 1968 restored Cape Dutch style Tuynhuys in Cape Town serves as the residence of the South African President. In total there are 2013, 400 Cape Dutch buildings.

History

1652 the first Dutch settlers to Jan van Riebeeck arrived at the Cape of Good Hope. The first city was founded Cape Town, where you built the first houses in the Cape Dutch style. They distinguished themselves by kinship to the then Dutch architecture, but also took influences from Germany, France and Indonesia.

At first the houses were mostly one-storey and typically had three rooms. The walls were built of mud or rubble. The floor was mostly packed earth or slates from the island Robben Iceland. With the beginning of the 18th century, larger houses were built, which had the typical Pediment for the first time. The construction of the gable deported from Indonesia and Malaysia slaves were responsible. The walls were now built of bricks. From about 1750 new houses were built in a U - shape, and the T-shape with the kitchen at the end of the tract was common. Later, larger houses were built in H-form. Few builders are known by name, including the Frenchman Louis Michel Thibault and Anton Anreith the Germans and Hermann Schutte.

1806 reached the Cape Colony in British possession, the architectural style, however, was initially maintained. By 1840, changed the style since you could move the central longitudinal walls for the first time and the risk of fire suggesting other designs. In 1850 there was a return to Victorian architecture. Especially in Cape Town many traditional settler houses were demolished during the urbanization process.