The topic of this thesis is the Domestic Architecture of the Natal Architect, William Street-Wilson (1856-1928) and spans the period from 1889 to 1913. It is based on the original drawing collection which can be found in the Barrie Bierman Architectural Library, University of Natal. Street-Wilson carried out his architectural training in England, and the study sets out to identify the stylistic changes which took place within the Arts and Crafts Movement in England, to establish any English precedent in Street-Wilson domestic architecture in Natal. In order to contexturalise Street-Wilson's domestic architecture in Natal, an overview of the political, social, economic and architectural background is given prior to, and during the year of Street-Wilson's arrival in 1887. The drawing collection is set chronologically during the period of 1889-1913, against the political, social and economic background, in order to study the effect of such influences on the Street-Wilson's houses. The study defines and identifies the different components which compose the plan and then carries out an analysis of the plan, form and style of the different categories of house types, namely the typical single storey, villa/double storey and semi-detached house, to highlight the evolution of the house type from the late nineteenth century to the early twentieth century. Since the verandah is the common thread throughout the drawing collection, a special study explores its possible origin and application in a colonial context. Examples of detail drawings have been extracted from the drawing collection to illustrate construction techniques and typical detailing employed by Street-Wilson and his partners, accompanied by a brief history of building materials to contexturalise materials within the studied period. The evolution of services, pertaining to comfort and sanitation, have been examined and applied to the houses designed by Street-Wilson. / Thesis (M.Arch.)-University of Natal, Durban, 1996.

This essay is divided roughly into two main sections; in the first I have discussed the Tswana as a whole, their environment, their origins and their more recent history. In addition to this, I have tried to give a clear picture of their tribal political structure and economic activities, as well as their domestic activities, all of which are integrally linked to the kind of house form adopted by the Tswana. The last, and most important, part of the first section is a presentation of some of the earliest written descriptions of Tswana dwellings made by the first white travellers to enter Tswana territory. The second section takes the form of a presentation of findings observed during the course of personal field research undertaken in the Tshidi-Rolong village outside Mafikeng. This research was done by means of a number of questionnaires drawn up by myself and filled in on the spot with information supplied by house owners and sometimes the builders themselves. This survey was carried out largely at random, with several of the houses chosen arbitrarily because of an interesting feature which set them apart from other dwellings. This written information is backed up by a large bulk of visual information in the form of photographs taken personally, both of the dwellings in general, and of details of the houses. Although this essay may appear to be rather fragmented, my aim is to give a graphic account of changes in Tswana dwellings by comparing features of contemporary dwellings with those observed in the early nineteenth century. The fact that among the Tswana , the building style of one sub-tribe may vary slightly from that of another subtribe, has not affected my study to any large extent , since I was fortunate enough to have done my field research among a branch of one of the original groups, namely the Rolong, whose houses, along with those of the Tlhaping, were the first to be documented. Therefore, most of the differences which have occurred between the dwellings of the contemporary Tshidi-Rolong and those from the early nineteenth century are a direct result of the process of westernisation.

Bibliography: pages 221-235. / The main object of study in this thesis is the architectural tradition commonly known as "Cape Dutch". The aim is to make sense of this architecture by answering questions about its coming into being, the people who created it, and their reasons for doing so. Contrary to the suggestions of most existing works on Cape Dutch architecture, an earlier substantial form of domestic architecture, which resembled the town houses of the Netherlands, underlies the tradition. Analysis of existing literature, archaeological excavation, and inventories, indicates that gradual changes towards the basic traditional form during the first decades of the eighteenth century took a dramatic leap during the 1730s. Moving away from the shapes of the dwellings to the people who changed them involves a major theoretical shift, away from formalism towards poststructuralist theory: discourse theory, literary criticism, feminism. These frameworks enable me to identify contradictions underlying historical events; to deconstruct documents, thus revealing their rhetorical devices for constituting subjectivities and establishing social hierarchies; and to see the architecture as a body of works or texts - a discourse. From 1657 free burghers were given land to farm independently. These farmers were an anomalous group whose view of themselves no longer coincided with the lesser subjectivities structured for them by Dutch East India Company (VOC) documents. Together the latter constituted a discourse of domination against which the anomalous group, in the process of establishing new identities for themselves, developed a discourse of resistance. Since the VOC maintained a strict monopoly over the word, the discourse of discontent was manifested in other forms of inscription, most notably in free burgher architecture. Using a particular type of gender theory, it becomes possible to envisage the two discourses in conversation with each other. The theoretical component of the thesis involves, first, writing historical archaeology into the gaps of existing post-structuralist perspectives which were not designed for archaeology; second, demonstrating the two discourses at work in the practice of their everyday existence by the people concerned.

M.A. / Please refer to full text to view abstract

Thesis(MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Swellendam is situated in the eastern part of the Overberg and is bounded by the districts of Bredasdorp in the south, Caledon and Robertson in the west, Montagu and Ladisrnith in the north, and Riversdale and Heidelberg in the east. Before colonisation mainly two Khoikhoi tribes, the Chainouquas and the Hessequas, lived there. Because of the favourable climate and terrain, the expansion into the interior of the European settlers after 1700 happened most rapidly across the Hottentots Holland mountains in the direction of the Breede River. On 12 November 1743 a sub-drostdy for the Colonie in de verre afgeleegene districten was founded and a landdrost and heemraad members were appointed. On 26 October 1747 the Political Council decided to name this district Swellendam. The drostdy and a number of other buildings were completed by 1747. The pioneers applied in the Swellendam area the methods of building to which they were accustomed, which they knew by tradition or to which they had been exposed. The plans which were employed had either been used by previous generations or appeared widely in the area. For almost two centuries the elongated wing plan in the form of an I, T, U, L, etcetera was followed at the Cape. In the area studied the T-plan, especially, is most common, with a considerable number of longhouses (I-plan) in which man and beast were lodged under one roof. Kapstyl (roof-truss), clay and stone houses are the three types of homes of which remnants have been found in the Swellendam area. The kapstyl structure was used as a temporary home and also as bam in the area under study. Clay houses were the first more permanent structures erected in the Swellendam area. These homes were probably built without the assistance of masons, joiners, carpenters and blacksmiths. In this area stone buildings were primarily erected at livestock stations and, compared to clay houses, there are few remnants of stone-built homes. A few combination patterns have been found in the lay-out of outbuildings. Examples of these are the stables-and-waggon shed combinations and the stables-waggon shed-kraal, as well as the stables-waggon shed-hen's nest openings and the slave quarters-milking shedwaggon shed combinations. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Swellendam is gelee in die oostelike deel van die Overberg en word begrens deur die distrikte van Bredasdorp in die suide, Caledon en Robertson in die weste, Montagu en Ladismith in die noorde, en Riversdal en Heidelberg in die ooste. Voor kolonisasie het daar in die streek hoofsaaklik twee Khoikhoi stamme gewoon, die Chainouquas en die Hessequas. As gevolg van die gunstige klimaat en die terrein het die binnelandse uitbreiding van die Europese setlaars na 1700 die vinnigste oor die Hottentots- Hollandberge in die rigting van die Breederivier plaasgevind. Op 12 November 1743 is 'n sub-drostdy vir die Colonie in de verre afgeleegene districten gestig en 'n landdros en heemrade is aangestel. Op 26 Oktober 1747 besluit die Politi eke Raad om hierdie distrik Swellendam te noem. Die drostdy en 'n aantal ander geboue is teen 1747 voltooi. Die pioniers het die bouwyse waaraan hulle gewoond was, wat hulle deur tradisie geken het of waaraan hulle blootgestel was, ook in die Swellendam-omgewing toegcpas. Die bouplanne wat gebruik is, is of deur die voorgeslagte aangewend, of het algemeen in die gebied voorgekom. Vir byna twee eeue is die verlengde vleuelplan in die vorm van 'n I, T, U, L ensovoorts, aan die Kaap gevolg. In die studiegebied kom veral die T-plan die meeste voor met 'n beduidende hoeveelheid langhuise (l-plan) waar mens en dier onder een dak gehuisves is. Kapstyl, klei en kliphuise is die drie woningtipes waarvan oorblyfsels in die Swellendamstreek aangetref is. Die kapstylstruktuur is in die studiegebied gebruik as tydelike woning en ook as SkuUL Kleihuise was die eerste meer permanente strukture wat in die Swellendam-omgewing opgerig is. Die wonings is waarskynlik opgerig sonder die hulp van messelaars, skrynwerkers, timmermans en grofsmede. In hierdie streek is daar hoofsaaklik op die veeposte met klip gebou en is daar in vergelyking met kleihuise min oorblyfsels van wonings wat met klip gebou is. 'n Paar kombinasiepatrone is in die uitleg van buitegeboue gevind. Voorbeelde hiervan is die stalle-en-waenhuis-kombinasies en die stalle-waenhuis-kraal, stalle-waenhuishoendernes- openinge, en die slawekwartier-melkery-waenhuis-kombinasies.

Thesis submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Masters Degree in Technology: Mechanical Engeering at Technikon Natal, 1999. / Housing is currently one of the most critical development areas in the Republic of South Africa (RSA). This developmental project forms part of a possible solution in the delivery of housing through mass production. The objective of this study is to establish a empathetic connection between modem geodesic construction and the traditional dome and to design an effective and efficient prefabricated dwelling unit suited to be easily built by semi-skilled persons. The success of this project will fulfill one of the major objectives of the RSA's Reconstruction and Development Programmes (RDP) - 'A better lifefor all'. / M

Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Architecture is a complex concept, and as such many factors contribute to its creation. These factors include geographical, economical and climatological aspects, but above all architecture is formed by the specific times, circumstances and lifestyle of the creator. The human being, with his background, ideas and values, shapes and influences the architecture surrounding him, and is also shaped and influenced by it. Therefore, when the lives and opinions of people are radically changed, it follows inevitably that their way of architectural expression will also change. There are marked differences between domestic buildings erected during the Victorian period in England and South Africa. English domestic buildings consist of long uniform terraced rows of two or more storeys, while freestanding single-storeyed houses are the norm in South Africa. A large percentage of English buildings are built with unfinished bricks (sometimes stone), while the bulk of South African buildings are finished in plaster. The general roofing material for Victorian houses in South Africa, namely corrugated iron, are not used on English houses at all. English roofs are most often covered in slate tiles. The very elaborate wood and/or cast-iron decorative elements so typical of the Victorian style in South Africa are largely absent in England, and most English buildings also do not have an architectural element comparable to the South African veranda. All styles which occurred in England during the Victorian period are termed Victorian, but in all cases it refers to the period, not the style. Although in South Africa other styles from the Victorian period are sometimes also referred to as Victorian, a clearly distinguishable style with unique characteristics developed at the end of the nineteenth century in South Africa. This style came to be known as Victorian. This study investigates the underlying reasons for the differences which exist between the Victorian architecture of England and South Africa. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Argitektuur berus op 'n komplekse basis, en as sodanig is daar talle faktore wat tot die skepping daarvan aanleiding gee. Hierdie faktore sluit onder meer in geografiese, ekonomiese en klimatologiese aspekte, maar bowenal word die argitektuur geskep deur die spesifieke tydsgees, agtergrond en leefstyl van die skepper daarvan. Die mens, met inbegrip van sy agtergrond, idees en waardes, vorm en beïnvloed die argitektuur wat hom omring, en word self ook daardeur gevorm en beïnvloed. Wanneer die lewens en sienings van mense dus verander, volg dit vanselfsprekend dat hulle argitektoniese uitdrukkingsvorme ook sal verander. Woonhuise wat tydens die Victoriaanse periode in Suid-Afrika opgerig is, verskil opvallend van dié in Engeland. Engeland se woonhuise bestaan uit lang aaneengeskakelde rye huise (terraces), wat oor twee of meer verdiepings strek, terwyl enkelverdieping alleenstaande geboue die norm in Suid-Afrika is. Geboue in Engeland vertoon ook 'n opvallende uniformiteit wat in Suid-Afrika ontbreek. 'n Groot persentasie Engelse geboue is van ongepleisterde baksteen (soms klip) gebou, terwyl Suid-Afrikaanse geboue oorwegend afgepleister is. Die algemene dakmateriaal vir Victoriaanse huise in Suid-Afrika, naamlik sinkplaat, word glad nie op Engelse huise gebruik nie. Die oordadige versieringselemente uit gietyster en/of hout wat so tipies van die Victoriaanse styl in Suid-Afrika is, is grootliks afwesig in Engeland, en die meeste Engelse geboue het ook nie 'n bou-element wat vergelykbaar is met 'n Suid-Afrikaanse stoep nie. Alle style wat in Engeland tydens die Victoriaanse periode voorgekom het, word Victoriaans genoem, maar in alle gevalle word die tydperk bedoel, en nie die styl nie. Hoewel daar in Suid-Afrika ook soms na ander style van die Victoriaanse periode as Victoriaans verwys word, het daar teen die einde van die negentiende eeu 'n eiesoortige styl met unieke kenmerke in Suid-Afrika ontwikkel wat as Victoriaans bekend staan. Hierdie studie ondersoek die dieperliggende redes vir die verskille wat tussen die Victoriaanse argitektuur van Engeland en Suid-Afrika bestaan.

Submitted in fulfilment of the Degree Master of Applied Arts in Interior Design, Durban University of Technology, 2016. / This study discusses the impact of modernisation of rural homestead living spaces on dwellers in a selected area of Umbumbulu, south of Durban Kwa-Zulu Natal South Africa. The study was conducted after a change was noticed within the rural homesteads built environment. Factors responsible for the changes in building/ dwelling shape, size, style, as well as the choice of materials (SSSM) used were discussed. The study further examined the impact of the listed changes within the social context of Umbumbulu’s rural dwellers, while addressing in-depth questions around the topic of modernisation, especially within the confines of rural homesteads and living spaces. A qualitative research approach was employed where an interpretative research paradigm was chosen as a theoretical framework for the study. Data consisted of seven semi structured interviews. The research design consisted of themes, the analysis, as well as the findings in relation to literature. The conclusion showed what the rural dwellers understand about modernisation in a rural context, as well as how it has impacted the changes in building/ dwelling shape, size, style, as well as in the choice of materials used. Three identifiable themes were discussed namely: 1. modernisation; 2. change in building shape, style, size and materials; and 3. positive living experience. Links were made between the themes which in turn indicate how modernisation has had an impact on rural homestead living spaces and dwellers. / M

Thesis (MA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: George is considered the capital of the Southern Cape and is situated in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. It has a very mild climate and the region receives above average rainfall. Centuries ago several Khoi tribes were present in this area and the first Europeans settled here around the middle of the 18th century. After the foundation of the town of George in 1811 more people moved to this region. Khoi, and later coloured people, lived at the Pacaltsdorp Mission station. Initially the town developed very slowly and it was only after 1920 that growth accelerated. With regard to architecture, the Cape Dutch Revival style started appearing since 1900, but it was only from 1920 onwards that many new buildings were erected in this style. Up untill then architecture reflected the successive styles current during the 19th century. However very few of these buildings survived in George. The Cape Dutch architectural style that was used until the late 19th century in the rural areas, was the first indigenous South African style that revived. This revival was initiated by sir Herbert Baker, and after 1910 it was applied increasingly by other architects. Several characteristics of the Cape Dutch style were incorporated in the Revival Style, but the eclectic approach of the style resulted in a variety of styles being represented. In other towns of the Southern Cape and Little Karroo the same trends appeared, putting the architecture of George in perspective. In South Africa the theories on conservation are not applied satisfactorily. In George specifically there are no attempts by local authorities to conserve the architectural heritage systematically and judiciously. Some local conservation bodies have attempted to create awareness, but had little success. As the Cape Dutch Revival style is the oldest style of which a number of buildings are still in existence, it is from a conservational point of view of the utmost importance that they are being cared for in a circumspect way. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: George word beskou as die hoofstad van die Suid-Kaap en is geleë in die Wes-Kaap Provinsie van Suid-Afrika. Die klimaat is gematigd en die streek kry 'n bogemiddelde reënval. Verskeie Khoi-stamme is reeds eeue gelede in hierdie streek aangetref en die blanke vestiging het rondom die middel van die 18de eeu begin. Na die stigting van George in 1811 het meer mense daarheen getrek. Van die bruin gemeenskap het by die sendingstasie in Pacaltsdorp saamgetrek. Die dorp het aanvanklik baie stadig gegroei en eers sedert 1920 het die ontwikkeling vinniger toegeneem. Sedert 1900 het die Kaaps-Hollandse Herlewingstyl in die argitektuur posgevat, maar dit was veral na 1920 dat baie van die nuwe geboue in die styl opgerig is. Tot op daardie stadium is daar gebou in die opeenvolgende style wat in die 19de eeu kontemporêr was. Van hierdie geboue het baie min in George oorgebly. Die Kaaps-Hollandse boustyl wat tot in die laat 19de eeu nog op die platteland toegepas is, was die eerste Suid-Afrikaanse inheemse styl wat herleef het. Die herlewing is in die 1890's geïnisieer deur sir Herbert Baker, en na 1910 is dit toenemend deur ander argitekte aangewend. Verskeie kenmerke van die Kaaps-Hollandse styl is in die Herlewingstyl opgeneem, maar die eklektiese benadering by laasgenoemde het tot gevolg gehad dat 'n groot verskeidenheid style daarin verteenwoordig word. Ander dorpe in die Suid-Kaap en Klein-Karoo het dieselfde tendense geopenbaar, wat die argitektuur van George in perspektief plaas. Die teorie van bewaring word in Suid-Afrika nog nie goed toegepas op erfenis nie. In George spesifiek is daar van owerheidsweë geen pogings om die geboue-erfenis sistematies en oordeelkundig te bewaar nie. Enkele bewaringsorganisasies wend pogings tot bewusmaking aan, maar het nog min sukses gehad. Omdat die Kaaps-Hollandse Herlewingstyl die oudste styl is waarvan daar nog 'n groep geboue in George behoue gebly het, is dit noodsaaklik dat daar uit 'n bewaringsoogpunt in die toekoms met groot omsigtigheid daarna omgesien word.