Herbert Baker was the most prominent settler that introduced this new type of architecture. During the late 1890's, southern Africa reintroduced a popular type of architecture with small timber windows. In 1892, Herbert Baker was inspired by early Dutch settlers in his creation of houses. Then other people started to follow the trend of his designs. This type of architecture, along with many others brought new life and differentiation to the colonizers of southern Africa. Climate and available materials were some of the most important reason why there would be a change in the design of buildings. There were other culture concerns that were adaptable to the situations when building in new areas as well. Architecture is a great way for the African community to express themselves by taking other ideas and modifying them to what they feel. (Styles of Southern African Architecture)
Highveld Dwellings
These types of huts were often designated to slave dwellers or the very poor families around Cape Town. It was a rectangular plan structure, usually just a single room with a lean to roof over the top for shelter. Its small shape and easy to build technology made it very popular. It was highly efficient, warm, and dry; perfect for the southern climate. Immigrants often built these huts easily on the road while traveling. The introduction of corrugated iron in the southern African interior after the 1860's assisted in its spread and after the Anglo-Boer conflict of 1899-1902 it became associated with Afrikaner rural culture. This simple architecture has been used for many years and will continue to be used. (Styles of Southern African Architecture)
CC BY-SA 3.0
File:Reconstructed Labourer's Cottage, Kleinplasie Open Air Agricultural Museum and Showgrounds, Worcester, South Africa.jpg
Created: 24 September 2014
Every building built reflected colonial Dutch culture. There was a melting pot of ideas and aspects put into the way building looked in southern Africa. There were sections and groups of cultures that stay together and trade, which started the village term. The current government does not have the resources to transform this pattern, but economic freedom and opportunity may enable citizens to create a more integrated built environment. In the meantime, the old townships remain with their black population, augmented by miles of new shack settlements containing impoverished rural migrants hoping for a better life in the environmentally overstressed urban areas. Read more: http://www.everyculture.com/Sa-Th/South-Africa.html#ixzz4duOc8yt9
"Styles of Southern African Architecture." Francofrescura.co.za | Architecture | Historical Conservation. Juta's South African Journal of Property, 1989. Web. 13 Apr. 2017. <http://www.sahistory.org.za/franco/historical-conservation-styles.html>. Header Picture: Some rights reserved. Flickr. Public Domain object.