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House Wagener
Rondebosch, Cape Town, Western Cape
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Click to view map Coordinates: | (SAAR Dec 1937 530; Herbert: 154; Shillington 1986) PROGRAMME A house to accommodate a schoolmaster, his wife and two small children. The site is a corner plot, size 100ft. x 100ft., in Sandown Park Estate, Rondebosch. The client had an open mind at the outset, and, beyond stipulating that the house should have teak windows, a sleeping porch, work space and stoep, in addition to normal accommodation, and that the construction and finish should be slightly better than the average house of this size, the architect had a free hand and was restricted only by the limitations of cost, site, local regulations and builders' methods. SOLUTION The house has been so orientated as to give all rooms either a south-easterly or a north-easterly aspect. This means that all bedrooms get morning sunlight and all living rooms get sunlight at some time of the day. No windows occur on the north-west elevation, which is very desirable from the point of view of heat in summer and gales in winter. In general, the plan conforms to a simple rectangle, broken on the south by a boldly projecting staircase, while on the opposite side the projection of the stoep adds interest to the garden elevation. A vertical glass feature emphasises the main entrance on Portland Road, leading directly into a simple rectangular hall in which the feeling of space is augmented by a lobby leading to the kitchen and by the stairs on the left of the entrance. This feeling of space is further accentuated by a glass door between the hall and living room, giving a vista across the stoep into the garden. The hall gives direct access to the living room and study. The living room, ample in its proportions, gives a sense of further size by the treatment of the south-east end, where it merges into the study. Towards this end one looks out through a fine wide expanse of window, with horizontally sliding members. This window takes full advantage of the cool aspect, and admits only early morning sunlight. At the other end of the room a fireplace is provided, and here again spaciousness is obtained by the merging of the living room into the dining room. The north-east windows of the living room are shaded by the stoep, access to which is obtained by glazed doors. Afternoon sunlight filters into the living room through the dining room windows. The dining room is disconnected from the kitchen and pantry by a lobby. The two latter services have been placed on the coolest side possible in this particular site. The first-floor plan is straightforward. The bedrooms are well lighted and cross ventilated and provided with built-in wardrobes. The sleeping porch is large and airy; it is warmed before nightfall by the western sun, and is provided with collapsible sliding windows. Ample bath, lavatory and linen accommodation is provided. In addition to its primary use, the first-floor hall provides an ideal sewing room. (SA Architectural Record Dec 1937. Submitted by William MARTINSON) 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. Books and articles that reference House Wagener
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