Characteristics of South African Architecture
What makes South African architecture unique?
Centuries of multicultural influence have informed South African architecture. The unique blend of building styles present today tell a story about those who have called this country home as well as their values—from functionality to sustainability to integration with nature. The interaction of ultra-modern buildings with unspoiled wilderness, particularly in the beautiful, oceanside city of Cape Town, is an immense inspiration for ROAR AFRICA’s South African safaris.
The most iconic South African architectural styles
Indigenous architecture
Natural, local materials such as grass, mud and wood form the base of native South African structures—typically circular in shape with thatched roofs. Zulu iQukwane, or beehive huts, follow this method with a circular wood frame built around a central tree trunk and covered by woven grass and rope to create a stable, dome-shaped hut that stays cool in the summer and warm in the winter. This architectural style precedes South Africa’s colonial past and persists today in indigenous communities.
Cape Dutch architecture
With the arrival of European settlers in 17th-century South Africa came Cape Dutch architecture, known for its whitewashed walls, shuttered windows, thatched roofs and front gables. These instantly recognizable homes remained common even after the end of colonial rule, leaving behind traces of Dutch, Belgian and French design in regions like the Cape Winelands especially.
Contemporary architecture
Despite a shift from natural materials to glass, steel and concrete, South Africa’s contemporary architecture often displays a deep reverence for the environment—be it through sustainable design features or large windows that let the outside in. Straight lines and open floor plans also put the spotlight on decor, oftentimes works by contemporary and indigenous African artists.
Of course, this is merely a summary of South African architecture over the centuries. ROAR AFRICA’s custom architecture and private home experiences, meanwhile, showcase these iconic design styles while also illuminating those lesser-seen, from the fascist structures of the Apartheid era to the exquisite private homes, seemingly suspended on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean in Cape Town.