THE CHARACTERSITICS
All images in this site are courtesy of ARRCHITECTCAPEDUTCH Originally a way to waterproof the end of the roof, the parapet wall that stick above the roof, became an opportunity for architecture elaboration on the Cape Dutch house. The window at the center of the gable became very important to the character of the house and its proportions are sometimes vertical in a sliding sash window, and sometimes horizontal where there are two side hung windows. Other key features of the style are the thatch roof, sliding sash windows, and lightly painted walls. You can go to ARCHITECTCAPETOWN to learn more about all the characteristics of this domestic architectural style.
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THE GABLEThe gable at Vrede en lust is a good example of a neoclassical type, that has two pillar elements either side of a dormer window that support a triangular element, often with urns on each side of it. Various scrolls and garlands complete the rest of the gable. Go to GLITZYMAGAZINE for other photos of fantastic Cape Dutch gabled houses. Each gable is uniquely designed much like the unique face of fingerprint of an individual human.
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THE THATCH ROOFThatch is actually grass that is collected from the wild fields or "veld" as it is known in South Africa. The material is abundantly available, but great skill is needed to apply it in order for it to remain waterproof. Cement is used on the top ridge to seal off an fasten the material. The house shown here is at la Motte farm in Franschhoek. Go to PLOTSFORSALECAPETOWN to purchase a similar farm in the area.
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SLIDING SASH WINDOWSAnother key feature, and perhaps the definitive one, is the sliding-sash windows. This means the top half of the window slides over the bottom half, and the windows are divided into very small cottage panes. See CAPETOWNSPLENDOUR page on the style for more examples like this one at Groot Constantia right in the heart of Cape Town.
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