THE JOURNAL OF THE CAPE, NATAL, ORANGE FREE STATE AND TRANSVAAL PROVINCIAL INSTITUTES OF SOUTH AFRICAN ARCHITECTS AND THE CHAPTER OF SOUTH AFRICAN QUANTITY SURVEYORS CONTENTS FOR APRIL 1949 EDITORIAL 72 A RESIDENCE FOR THE ARCHITECT, SANDRINGHAM, JOHANNES­ BURG, by F. O. Muller, M.I.A. 73 THE NEWELL RESIDENCE, STIRLING EXTENSION, EAST L O N D O N , by Lane, Osmond and Albert, MM.I.A., Architects 76 THE WORLD OF ARCHITECTURE 79 THE CHARM OF GROOT CONSTANTIA, by C. A. Stoloff 83 THE STUDENTS' FORUM 86 CORRESPONDENCE 87 BO O K REVIEW 88 THE N .P .I. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE FOR 1 9 4 9 -5 0 88 EDITOR VOLUME 34 The Editor will be glad to consider any MSS., photographs o r sketches submitted to him, but they should be accompanied by stamped addressed envelopes for return if W. DUNCAN HOWIE unsuitable. In case of loss or injury he cannot hold himself responsible for MSS., photographs or sketches, and publication in the Journal can alone be taken as evidence ASSISTANT EDITORS of acceptance. The name and address of the owner should be placed on the back of UGO T O M A S E L LI all pictures and MSS. The Institute does not hold itself responsible for the opinions D O NA LD PILCHER expressed by contributors. Annual subscription £1 10s. direct to the Secretary, GILBERT HERBERT 4 612, KELVIN HOUSE, 75. MARSHALL STREET. JOHANNESBURG. 'PHONE 34-2921. BUSINESS MANAGEMENT: G. J. McHARRY (PTY.), LTD., 43. BECKETT'S BUILDINGS, JOHANNESBURG. P.O. BOX 1409, 'PHONE 33-7505. EDITORIAL In the November issue of the “ Record" we published major highways. The flyover bridge, to carry traffic along a review of “ The Cape Town Foreshore Plan", an excellent Strand Street over Adderley Street and St. Georges Street, presentation of the Final Report of the Cape Town is also e n d a n g e re d ." Foreshore Joint Technical Committee, which was presented The possibilities implied by this news report are little in June, 1947. Our reviewer, Professor A. L. Meiring, short of devastating both to the scheme and to those who well qualified to speak, praised the publication, and see it in the unique and magnificent opportunity to con­ interspersed his acclamation of the Foreshore Plan with struct the “ gateway to South Africa” on the scale and some critical comment. Elsewhere in this issue we publish clothed with the monumentality which its superb historical a letter from Mr. Kantorowich, the Town Planning Officer, and topographical setting demands. in reply to and amplification of the points raised by The tortuous route by which the final scheme arrived is Professor Meiring. This discussion naturally presupposes ample proof of the thought and care and the skilful that the protracted, painstaking and not inexpensive planning which gave it shape. It is a scheme which, in planning process which produced the Plan would not be the boldness of its conception and its monumental scale, wasted effort. At present this would seem to be an whatever the forms minor criticisms may take, is for these alarming possibility. very reasons, rendered particularly susceptible to attack Under a Cape Town date line the “Star" of Friday, and destruction by those who cannot or will not focus their 22nd. April, carried the statement that “ An important attention on the importance and significance of this decision on the Cape Town Foreshore development scheme farsighted plan. It would appear that parts of the plan is expected to be taken ‘within the next few days' . of manifest importance to its success as a solution of a It is not known what the decision will be, but it is generally major traffic problem are already endangered. Their felt that an announcement cannot be made too soon as elimination would be a serious reflection on the there has already been a considerable amount of shilly­ perspicacity of those responsible. shallying." The manner in which the many and diverse planning After drawing attention to the fact that the only problems have been resolved has made the plan not results to be seen after two years “ are the reclamation only unique in this country but deserving of a better of about 350 acres of land and a series of concrete fate than piecemeal destruction. It is a master plan for platforms that in time may become the new goods yard"; a new and revitalised Cape Town. and after pointing to the fact that experts have been imported from overseas, and that the scheme over a period South Africa has little enough in the town planning of years, hds been discussed in all its aspects, the press field of which to be proud. With the superb opportunity report continues, “ wrangling and bickering began and offered by the reclamation scheme, it will be nothing less now at least five important items have been scrapped or than a national disgrace, if, for economic expediency or shelved . The pretentious Maritime terminal plan has parochial wrangling, this ambitious project “ should vanish been shelved and the building of the grand van Riebeeck into the dust of the wilderness at the foot of Adderley Hotel has been postponed indefinitely. The construction S tre e t." of the Castle Bridge road, most important goods circulation An important decision on the fate of the scheme is road in the scheme, is unlikely to be built, and the awaited. It is to be hoped that those in whose hands its elaborate boulevards linking the suburbs on the Sea Point fate lies will be able to see beyond the present limited side to those south of the city are endangered by dozens horizon. The Minister of Lands, Mr. Strydom, whose of applications, some of which it has been decided to department now has charge of the scheme, bears a great recommend for permission to build in the path of these responsibility towards Cape Town and South Africa. 72 View from the east corner of the site showing the entrance and main north-east garden frontage A Residence for the Architect at Sandringham. Johannesburg By F. O. Muller, M.I.A. With land values and building costs at their present and convenience of the occupants. By skilful planning high levels, a large proportion of the public is finding and rational and effective use of basic materials, costs can it increasingly difficult to acquire homes. A direct result be radically reduced. has been the reduction in the size of the home in order The architect owner of the house under review set to bring cost within the range of the average income. out to prove this contention, and has designed a house While it is true to say that the accommodation standards for a family of four within a total floor area of 1,425 usually demanded in this country are rapidly assuming super feet. the character of luxury, it is also apparent that these The site is 100 by 200 feet with a road flanking the may be greatly reduced without detriment to the comfort Royal Johannesburg Golf Club on the south-east boun­ dary. To take advantage of this country-like setting the house has been placed to one side of the site, the main garden facade facing north-east parallel to the side boundary and 50 feet away from it. The result is a spaciousness and continuity of garden area which belies its actual size. While the house is orientated away from the direction of prevailing rain, the mass of the building throws a welcome shadow over the greater part of the adjacent lawn terrace— the outdoor living space— early in the afternoon. ______ The external walls are in dark blue facebrick to lintol level, above which white plaster is set projecting 2 inches. The entrance on the street facade is protected by a 3-inch slab and screen walls. The windows in this eleva­ S / T £ £ L A tion have been carefully proportioned to give a well- j c a t.e balanced effect. The openings to the ground floor living o 4o 40___ ae *•* £r. U = t-1-1. 1--= * : ~ -JZV.' area are protected by a similar slab projection which 73 7 The road on the south-east boundary flanks the Royal Johannesburg Golf Course. To take advantage of this setting the house has been placed to one side of the site with the main frontage facing north-east, overlooking the adjacent lawn terrace. This arrangement has contributed to the generous garden area and to the successful relationship between indoor and outdoor living areas. W hile the main orientation is away from the direction of prevailing rain, the house casts a welcome shadow over a good portion of the lawn in the afternoon. BELOW: The plans illustrate the skilful use of space, which with a total floor area of only 1425 superfeet, pro­ vides comfortable accommodation for a family of four. They demonstrate what economical planning may achieve an adequate family residence to meet the limitations imposed by the present high level of building costs. repeats the motif at the entrance. The first floor windows externally. The golden brown eaves facia enhances the which directly reflect the functional requirements of the pale blue colour of the steel windows. Walls and soffits plan are protected by the 3 feet eaves projection. within the projecting concrete frames at ground floor Colour has been used effectively both internally and are light terra cotta, with the face of the frame in pale - a / e s r a l o o e = § = £ = £ , . 74 blue. The steel windows and doors, also the column, at ground floor are dark brown.