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Volkskas Bank - now ABSA Bethlehem, Free State

Date: c1949 Client: Volkskas - now ABSA Type: Bank Status: Unknown

Vermooten became preferred architect when JA SMITH took issue with the appropriateness of Cape Dutch Revival as suitable styling for the Somerset East branch of the bank. Smith was dismissed and the "more pliable" Vermooten appointed to the project with the approval of the bank's consulting architect, Wynand LOUW. This was a similar case and Philip NEL replaced in this instance. The resultant design is a re-ordering of the neoclassical, reworked with Cape Dutch Revival flat-roofed town style with simulated sash windows and flat fluted pilasters. (see Silverman, 1998: 132) All truncated references not fully cited below are those of Joanna Walker's original text and cited in full in the 'Bibliography' entry of the Lexicon. Writings about this entry Silverman, Melinda 'Ons bou vir die bank': Nationalism, architecture and Volkskas Bank: in Judin, Hilton & Vladislavić, Ivan (editors) and Vladislavic, Ivan (editors). 1998. blank______ Architecture, apartheid and after: pp 132