La Franschhoek Cape Dutch Architecture
The rustic charm of traditional Dutch homes can still be found in the wine areas of the Cape, such as Stellenbosch, Swellendam and La Franschhoek. Cape Town is more than famous for its Dutch architecture, it is downright proud of it. Our small area of this bright, blue globe we call Earth is home to some of the more remarkable architectural designs of the last few centuries. Most of these splendid homes have been lost to the rapid onslaught of modern buildings, especially with regard to the booming high-rise developments in Cape Town.
The Dutch style of home-building has its roots as far back as medieval Holland and Germany and it is widely believed that the French Huguenots and the isles of Indonesia have played a part in their evolution as well. The first homes in the Cape were designed and built by the Dutch settlers. These were mostly single storied homes and exceedingly utilitarian. The typical build consisted of three rooms, all within a row of each other. These steeply pitched rooms were supported by rafters of imported timber, which were in short supply and local materials mostly made up the reminder of the components. Clay or rubble were used for the walls, sea-shells for mortar and the Cape’s indigenous wild reed bush made up the thatched roofs. In rural areas, the floors were often made of peach pips, packed tightly together, lending a warm, homely feeling to otherwise Spartan living quarters.
At the start of the 18th century the Cape wine industry had begun to blossom into an extremely profitable enterprise. The central structure of these homes expanded, culminating in the U-plan design. Floors were made from roughly-hewn earth or slate, taken from that famous island that housed our favourite president, Robben Island. At the same point in time, the T-plan design was developing in rapid strides, mostly due to the influx of rural buildings. This particular design was polarised by the inclusion of a lone wing with a kitchen at the tail-end. Even later on, a further wing was added, only it was parallel to the newer building. All these right angles and new wings eventually evolved into the H-plan which remains the decisive design for graceful farmhouses to this day.
Early Cape Dutch homes were built evenly, with craftsmen and architects employing rigorous symmetry. Having a home with equal distances between walls, doors and rooms seemed to be the craze in these, the golden years of Cape architecture. The wide front doors with the romantically curving gables were the builder's main point of focus. From this point, the windows were equally spaces along all sides of the home. The inclusion of outer buildings, such as stables, wine cellars and slave’s quarters, were introduced at a later stage. The great white security walls of our modern suburban homes owe thanks to the early Cape Dutch homes, as they were first introduced to provide a sense of stability and to compliment the backdrop of the sprawling landscapes. The rural homes did not have such modern comforts though. They were packed tightly together and when a fire started in one house, the wind would feed its fiery heart and transport it from one home to another, decimating all in its path. Change was coming and it came in the form of flat-roofed, double-storied homes.
Many homes had a front room which branched into every part of the home. This gave each house a distinctly easy layout to traverse. Open fireplaces in the kitchen were all the rage, as was massive Dutch ovens with built-in iron bars. Large and roomy, these imposing kitchen ranges had enough space to prepare meals for the extensive families of the time.
Elements of Cape Dutch architecture can be seen in many modern homes and its influence has extended throughout the centuries. The whitewashed walls associated with this architectural style look striking when contrasted against healthy green glow of a vineyard. Thatched roofs still exist to this day and their modern and add a much needed injection of a traditional discipline to any home. The tiny windows which dotted the homes of olden-day Dutch houses fit perfectly with the modern interpretation of the minimal themes our modern homes crave. Take a lesson from history and let your Franschhoek hotel or home become a true touchstone of cultural diversity.