BLUEPR I NT
PRO J EC T # 1 TU YN H U YS
Back to the future The delightfully bold retro-futuristic features of Tuynhuys, the 11-storey Cape Town residential ‘mini skyscraper’ designed by Robert Silke & Partners, make a compelling case for a return to the roots of decorative modernism and traditional street-making as the future of South African architecture and urbanism. PHOTOGRAPHY DAVID SOUTHWOOD, LINLEY MEAVERS
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et on the historical Keerom Street in Cape Town’s CBD, among legal chambers and commercial buildings, the bold, sculptural form of the 11-storey Tuynhuys, a compact apartment building with 47 units ranging from 24m2 to 80m2, makes a dramatic, eye-catching addition to the surrounding cityscape. Not only does its ‘mini skyscraper’ approach –
partly inspired by Japanese architectural landmarks drawing from the Metabolist school such as Nakagin Capsule Tower designed by Kisho Kurokawa – introduce a new approach to compact-living in Cape Town’s CBD, on a scale suited to the character and grain of the city, but its exuberant, anthropomorphic design marks a decisive statement about the
return to decorative architecture before the mainstream takeover of utilitarian modernism in the early 20th century. In fact, lead architect Robert Silke makes the strong case that to forge new directions in architecture and urbanism – in many ways a return to traditional values in city-making more appropriate to our own times than the modernist urbanism
that dominated the 20th century – it is necessary to return to a time before the dominance of mainstream modernism and pick up another path where decorative and utilitarian modernism diverged. While many commentators note the building’s Art Deco influences, Silke places more emphasis on its origins in a crossover Continued next page
CHAMPAGNE IN THE BATHROOM. “Generally when doing large scale developments, you want to specify durable, quality products, that offer long term sustainability. That is why we went for the Meir electroplated taps.” ROBERT SILKE - ROBERT SILKE ARCHITECTS
37 Paarden Eiland Rd, Paarden Eiland, Cape Town +27 21 511 7888 | www.flushbathrooms.co.za info@flushbathrooms.co.za
18 LEADINGARCHITECTURE & DESIGN AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2020
