luxury designs by somerset west & cape town architectS
View unusual homes and commercial buildings designed by leading architects including such as Beverley Hui architects and others.
CAPE TOWN ARCHITECTURE HISTORY
From the building of the Castle of Good Hope, to modernist marvel shopping centres, the history of architecture in Cape Town is a cross-section of colonial styles across the world. See ARCHITECTCAPETOWN for other South African building styles.
THE NEOCLASSICAL STYLE
The Koopmans de Wet house in Strand street Cape town is a wonderful example of the most popular style during the 1600's and 1700's in Cape Town. The columns and pediment refer to classical architecture. Visit
CAPETOWNSPLENDOUR for more architecture attractions.
THE CAPE DUTCH STYLE
The Cape Dutch style is a special style in that it originated in the Cape, unlike the neoclassical and Victorian styles. The small barn like buildings with carefully sculpted central gables were built with pride and individuality. Go to ARCHITECTCAPETOWN to learn more about this.
THE VICTORIAN STYLE
The Victorian style is marked by intense detailed areas, in what was regarded as a decorative femininity. Typically wrought iron was popular and often painted white. The parliament buildings above were built in the Victorian era, although displaying a neoclassical influence. See ARCHITECTCAPETOWN for other architect ideas in the area.
THE CAPE VERNACULAR STYLE
The style originated with early farm buildings that were less formal than the Cape Dutch manor homes. Go to ARCHITECTCAPETOWN for great Cape Vernacular examples. Usually the lesser buildings on the farm, such as barns and cellars which had simple barn finishes. Use of metal roofs would have come later during Victorianization. Today, it is a popular term for barnlike residential buildings, exhibiting pitched metal roofs with clipped eaves and flush fascias. Visit ARCHITECTCAPETOWN for other residential styles in the province.
THE MODERN STYLE
The term MODERN means many different things to many different people - see CAPEGLOSSY, but in general it can be held that the daring use of concrete beams, steel and glass is the most pivotal characteristic. Next is the lack of ornament or decoration. Finally the logical and open use of space. Visit GLITZYMAGAZINE for more glitzy buildings such as this one!
the modern cape dutch style
After MODERNISM got a little bit long in the tooth, architects yearned back for the Cape Dutch era, and came up with this striking combination of new and old. See GLOSSY-MAGAZINE for more like this.