Monday, November 16, 2009

Namaqua House, Cape Town

Namaqua House, Cape Town

Looking back at this picture of Namaqua House in Cape Town I am amazed at how the colourful the deco building is compared to the later buildings surrounding it.

Namaqua House, Cape TownEven on this relatively dull day in 2003 the cream and coral colours stand out.

Namaqua House was built in 1929 to a design by architects Roberts & Small. The top floor features a cantilevered balcony on each of the two face of the corner-sited building. The Cape Town Art Deco Architecture Map indicates his is an early use of such cantilevered balconies.

The balconies and corresponding sheltering canopies are the most decorated parts of the building.

Posted by David Thompson
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6 comments:

  1. HelsNovember 17, 2009 at 9:44 AM

    I have a few ex-pat south african students who love art deco, but left south africa before knowing of the deco treasures there. Or perhaps the deco buildings in SA were old and crumbly, and no-one took any notice.

    I referred them to your blog as a first port of call, and several people have revisited SA since with "new eyes". Namaqua House 1929 is special.

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  2. David ThompsonNovember 17, 2009 at 10:22 AM

    Thanks Hels.
    I hope your students enjoy (re)discovering some of South Africa's Art Deco buildings. I saw lots in Cape Town and Durban. Jo'Burg has lots too but I didn't make it there on that trip.

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  3. BrendanDecember 6, 2009 at 1:33 AM

    If you ever get the chance, take a tour through the Klein Karoo. There are some amazing examples of preserved Art Deco treasures that remain off the beaten track. Oudtshoorn is one such town as is Ladismith. There are also amazing examples of what I like to refer to as Afrikaner Architecture, the church in Vanwyksdorp is one such example.

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  4. David ThompsonDecember 6, 2009 at 9:56 AM

    Thanks Brendan. It is always good to hear about good stuff that is off the beaten track. I'll add these places to my ever-growing list of places to visit.

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  5. AnonymousJanuary 27, 2010 at 5:54 PM

    what a beautiful blog. Thanks so much for these fantastic pictures. I live in South Africa and from what I can see, there isn't much being done to document these treasures. Thank you.

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  6. David ThompsonJanuary 28, 2010 at 6:53 AM

    Thank you.
    I know when I visited South Africa in 2003 there were active Art Deco groups in Cape Town and Durban (the only cities I visited so there could have been others). Cape Town do not seem to be as active now but Durban are still going and have a great website.

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