Holloway and Davel
Architects, your go-to architects in Cape Town, were entrusted with the
restoration of a dilapidated heritage building dating back to 1920. The client
sought our expertise to ensure a seamless process in applying for and obtaining
all necessary heritage permits for the renovations. The challenge lay in the
adaptive re-use of this historical gem, transforming it into a modern family
dwelling while preserving its authentic character.
With meticulous
planning and thoughtful spatial reconfiguration, we seamlessly integrated new
functionalities into the existing layout. This included re-planning areas to
accommodate a contemporary kitchen, scullery, living room, and bathroom, all
while maintaining the building’s original structural rhythm and aesthetic
language. The addition of new elements was carefully executed to blend
sympathetically with the historic fabric, preserving the building’s heritage
and contributing to the charm of the surrounding streetscape.
Adhering to the
guidelines set forth by the National Heritage Resources Act, we ensured that
the necessary permit was obtained from Heritage Western Cape (HWC). The HWC’s
approval is based on the merits of the application and an environmental impact
assessment, ensuring that historical structures are safeguarded and respected.
By including heritage matters in impact assessments for proposed developments,
developers can proactively identify and protect heritage resources, allowing
for a smoother progression of the project without uncertainties. Trust Holloway
and Davel Architects to expertly restore and repurpose heritage buildings,
seamlessly blending the old with the new, and preserving the rich history of
Cape Town.
This dilapidated heritage home was in need of some urgent upgrade and the client appointed Holloway and Davel Architects to ensure all heritage permits regarding the renovations were applied for and approved. The re-purposing of this 1920 home through adaptive re-use to accommodate a modern family required not only rethinking of the spatial division of the various rooms, but also incorporating additional functions which were not part of the original layout. In this case it necessitated the need to re-plan the reticulation of these areas to facilitate a new kitchen, scullery living room and bathroom.
The design resolution answers the contemporary needs while respecting the authentic fabric through establishing a continuum with the original aesthetic language and rhythm of the structural frame of the building. The insertion of new elements is sympathetic, yet distinct from the original, thereby not undermining the historic reading. Minimal intervention with the facades ensures that this feature building continues to contribute character to the streetscape.
To comply with the National Heritage Resources Act, anyone who wishes to modify historical structures must apply to Heritage Western Cape (HWC) for permission. A historical structure is defined as a building older than 60 years.
Heritage Western Cape issues a permit, based on the merits of the application and an environmental impact assessment. This permit takes into account the development planning and zoning regulations of a local authority’s Land Use Ordinance. By ensuring that heritage matters are included in impact assessments for proposed developments, developers are able to identify heritage resources. Thus developers will be able to proceed without uncertainty about whether work will be stopped if a heritage resource is discovered.
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