8 Types of Beautiful Houses in South Africa That Will Make You Drool
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South Africa is a country with many beautiful houses. Some of them are historical, some of them are modern, and some of them are built in that unique South African style. Any time you visit South Africa, new houses will be built, and others restored to their former glory. But there are also plenty of houses that have been around for a while or have even been added to over the years, as Victorian buildings often were in Britain at the end of the 19th century. Many of these properties are not just beautiful buildings but also have fascinating stories behind them.
Cape Dutch Houses in South Africa
Cape Dutch houses are a special architectural feature of South Africa. They are mainly found in the Western Cape, originally built as farmers’ and traders’ houses between the 16th and 19th centuries. Cape Dutch architecture has many features in common with the architecture of the Netherlands and Belgium. These features include the “Dutch gable,” with a sloping roof in the same direction as the facade, symbolizing the rising and setting of the sun. The gables are often decorated with images of flowers, birds, or other symbols of nature. Other common features include the wide use of shutters, either as decorative features or to keep out the sun, the generous use of wooden beams inside the houses, the high-quality brickwork, and the use of “Dutch doors” that open outwards, often with an unusual pattern on the inside of the glass, making them almost frosted.
Early Settler Houses in South Africa
The Cape Dutch style of architecture was used for early settler houses in the Western Cape. These houses were mainly built over the period from 1680 to 1820. These houses commonly feature an “H”-shaped or a “T”-shaped floor plan with rooms arranged around a central open courtyard. The rooms at the front of the house would be used for trading, the rooms behind them for storage, and the rooms at the back for living. The walls of these houses are usually made from mud and dung, and the roofs are thatched.
Victorian Houses in South Africa
Victorian houses were built in South Africa between 1850 and 1910. They can also be found in other British colonies such as Australia, New Zealand, and British India. The victorian architecture uses many different styles of building. These include
“Scotch,” which is made of red brick and has the shape of a long, low building with a steep roof;
“Georgian,” which is made of stone, has a symmetrical shape with a sloping roof and is often found in townhouses;
“Gothic,” often found in churches and made of stone, with pointed arches and a tower;
“Italianate,” which has tall, thin, decorative columns and a high roof made of tiles;
“Queen Anne,” which has a variety of features, such as ornate windows and decorative shingles on the roof.
Edwardian Houses in South Africa
Edwardian houses were built in South Africa between 1910 and 1930. They are commonly found in the suburbs of South African cities. These houses have a “Georgian”-type of architecture with thick walls made of yellow bricks. The roofs are usually made from wood shingles and the windows from various materials, such as wood and lead. Edwardian houses are generally symmetrical in shape, with a front door in the middle of the building and have a garden at the front and the back of the house.
Art Deco Homes in South Africa
Art deco homes were built in South Africa between 1925 and 1935. They were also built in other British colonies such as Australia, New Zealand, and British India. Art deco architecture uses various building materials, such as glass, concrete, stone, and wood. The shapes of art deco buildings are often very decorative with curved shapes, ornate roofs, and gables. Art deco buildings are to be seen in most parts of a city, including a waterfront, a park, or on a busy main street.
Functionalist Homes in South Africa
Functionalist houses, also called “International style” or “Modernist” houses, were built in South Africa between 1935 and 1950. They were also built in many other parts of the world, including Britain and the United States of America. The functionalist architecture uses straight lines, simple shapes, and limited use of decorative features, such as windows and tiles. Functionalist houses are usually made from concrete, bricks, or stone and often have a flat roof. Functionalist dwellings usually have a single storey, but some have two or three levels.
Modernist and Contemporary Homes in South Africa
Modernist houses were built in South Africa from 1960 onwards. Contemporary houses are being built and designed today. The modernist architecture uses a lot of glass and minimal use of decoration. Modernist houses are usually made from concrete, glass, and steel. Modernist houses can be very different in shape, size, and design and are often not symmetrical in shape. Modernist houses are often very large and can have many storeys.
Conclusion
South Africa has a rich architectural heritage and many beautiful houses of all types and styles can still be found all over the country. This makes it a fascinating country to visit and also to live in as there is always something new and exciting being built or restored. South Africa is the perfect place to visit if you are interested in architecture and history.
