TOPIC: Place and tradition in design: Herbert Baker’s South African furniture
SPEAKER: André van Graan
Sir Herbert Baker is probably one of the best known architects of the 20th century in South Africa. His architecture of the late nineteenth and early twentieth century created a stylistic framework that defined the local architecture of pre-World War ll South Africa.
But it was not only his architecture which is significant but also his furniture and interiors that formed an integral part of his design philosophy.
As an Arts & Crafts follower he was drawn to the architecture and the old furniture of the Cape. Initially he bought Cape furniture for houses such as Groote Schuur, thereby creating an appreciation for and a renewed interest in Cape antique furniture which was overlooked by the locals hell-bent on the collection of English and French furniture.
From his work for Rhodes at Groote Schuur, particularly after the fire which destroyed some of the English antiques, he started designing furniture for there and this then became an essential part of his designs.|
Baker developed a design approach which drew on Cape vernacular furniture for inspiration, but coupled this with his Arts & Crafts background, thus finding common ground in English late 17th century furniture which, as a result of the dual monarchy of William & Mary, drew inspiration from William of Orange’s Dutch background and the craftsmen who came to England at that stage.
In this talk he will look at these diverse influences and the furniture which Baker produced for his many projects, showing the links between traditional Cape furniture and erly English furniture.
He will also link this to Baker’s integration of his furniture into his interiors, particularly domestic interiors, creating an iconic image of a ‘Cape’ interior
André van Graan is a heritage architect who spent many years in academia as a lecturer in architecture at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology’s Architectural Technology & Interior Design programme. He also taught on the MPhil (Conservation of the Built Environment) at UCT. He is, in addition to producing the VASSa newsletter, also a former Chairman of the Society, and a former president of the Cape Institute for Architecture.
André developed in interest in the work of Herbert Baker, when he returned to South Africa after a lengthy period studying and working in England. Arriving in Johannesburg he found the city bewildering and somewhat brash so it was with some relief that he found Parktown with its plethora of Baker buildings. He studied his work and became a member of the then Parktown Westcliff Heritage Trust, His understanding of Baker’s work is thanks to energetic enthusiasts such as Flo Bird who propelled him into an understanding of the essence of what made good Baker buildings and what didn’t!