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Volkskas Bank - now ABSA Warrenton, Northern Cape Gabriël Theron (Gawie) FAGAN: Design Architect VOLKSKAS ARCHITECTS: Architect

Date: 1959 Client: Volkskas (now ABSA) Type: Bank Status: Unknown

One of the banks (also, those of Bonnievale, Brandford and Warden) based on a 'type' plan developed for the Ladybrand example by Gawie Fagan as in-house architect to Volkskas. Fagan here, as he employed in Bonnievale, Brandford, Leeudoringstad, Steynsrus, Warden and Warmbaths came up with the most ingenious solution to the problem [of the Apartheid requirement for separate entrances] by using a single large door, hinged on a central pivot. The door could be swung open to create two unequally sized entrances, each barricaded from the other by the massive expanse of the door itself, while the same bank clerks moved back and forth between the two sides. With appropriate modernist tools, even the problems of 'petty apartheid' could be solved in new and inventive ways. (Silverman, 1998: 140). Books that reference Volkskas Bank - now ABSA Silverman, Melinda. 0. 'Ons bou vir die bank': Nationalism, architecture and Volkskas Bank. : . pg 138, 140