Cape Dutch Architecture

Top 8 Cape Dutch Architecture Examples in Somerset West - entries 5-8


5. WEBERSBURG

THe farm house at Weberseberg is dated 1786 and at some point the gables were removed from the main Home and the thatch replaced with a corrugated iron roof. The house has since been beautifully restored by the architects of present owners. The cellar and wine tasting area overlook a lake and stunning views of the Helderberg wine farms. Some modern additions are tastefully done and integrate seamlessly with the whole. The farm is open for sightseeing and wine tasting tours.



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6. PETER FAULKE WINES

The original farm was called Groenvlei and dates to 1824. This beautiful gable is very well proportioned and the tall end scrolls are exceptionally high and distinctive pieces of architecture without being disproportionate. It is now the home of Peter Faulke Wines, where site seeing tourists can enjoy leisurely picnics on the landscaping that is dotted with modern art pieces.

View contemporary Stellenbosch architecture on wine farms at capetownsplendour.



7. STONEWALL

The farm has undergone two name changes, first from Druk My Niet, to Happy Vale, and then to the current Stonewall. It is a wonderful example of Cape Dutch architecture layout where the house and outbuildings are collected group surrounded by a low white wall - the "werf" wall. The wine cellar has an elaborate late neo-classical gable dated 1828, and the main farm house 1853. The cellar is open for wine tasting tours during which the beautiful complex of buildings can be observed from the outside.

View capetownsplendour for more photos of Cape Dutch style architecture.

8. MEERLUST

Dating back to 1776 the house at Meerlust wine farm was one of the very first Cape Dutch homes to be built. Of particular interest to architects is the Dovecot, which was apparently used to host cock fights centuries ago. The farm continues to produce superb wines, and A small museum in the tasting room enlightens tourists.

Visit plotsforsalecapetown if you wish to purchase vacant land in the Western Cape.



VIEW ALL SOMERSET WEST HOUSES

Enjoy a day of wine tasting and sightseeing, while stopping at these historical architecture treasures. See this page for the top attractions of the Helderberg wine region, in terms of Cape Dutch sightseeing. Or visit top-architects for directory of architects designing interesting buildings in the Western Cape.


VIEW ALL FRANSCHHOEK HOUSES

Many of the top Cape Dutch homes are located in Franschhoek. We include here photos of the homes at La Dauphine, Boschendal, and L'Ormorins. The houses are very refined and great attention was lavished on the architectural detail, especially of the gables. Read more about the Cape Dutch architecture in this region of South Africa, or see residential-architects for bigger pictures.



What are the distincitve features of Cape Dutch architecture?

The features that make the Cape Dutch Style unique are the simple plan layouts in rectangular, h or u shaped plans. The fenestration and doors are laid out symmetrically and formally. Usually the windows are of the sliding sash type. A typical facade would have a central doorway with a fanlight overhead. This would be flanked by two narrow windows either side. In turn there would be a group of either two or three windows placed symmetrically on either arm. The roof would be made of thatch and laid at 45 degrees with parapet gable ends. The central gable above the door usually has a small window in it. The gable is sculpted into a curvilinear shape, and the design of the gable becomes a type of finger print for the individual Cape Dutch house. The walls are always painted white, and this makes the architecture stand out from its surroundings. For more sightseeing destinations for tourists in the Western Cape visit CapeTownSplendour.

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