Art Deco Bachelor: Holyrood & the Architecture of Spinsterhood
Can buildings make good husbands? Holyrood is a dense spindle of
tight 1930's bachelor flats set on Cape Town's central park.
Affordability, panoramic views and sculptural beauty in a prime
position, means that the inmates tend to stay for life. One such inmate
is architect, Robert Silke, who has lived in the building his entire
adult life and seems set to remain. Silke has published articles on the
building’s extraordinary architecture, and used it to set his
critically-acclaimed cult mockumentary, The Satyr of Springbok Heights.
Silke presents an afternoon lecture about an architecture that
captivates - literally.
Robert Silke is one
of the city's most prolific young architects and urban theorists.
Having designed Chevron's award-winning new headquarters in Century City
as well as the futuristic Point mall in Sea Point, Silke is best known
for his residential conversion of Old Mutual's former Art Deco
Headquarters in Darling Street - and is widely credited as the catalyst
for turning around the fortunes of Cape Town’s city centre.
Audience Responses
entertaining, informative, great pics and story/ies, thanks
Robert is a great speaker and it was fascinating to hear him share some snippets from his obsessive knowledge about Holyrood.
Interesting titbit about a Cape Town landmark. It became clear that the architect was more interested in talking about himself than the stuff of architecture, however, and he dragged out 15 minutes of content over a yawning hour.
Refreshingly entertaining and informative. Sharply wry humour mixed with architectural, nostalgic glamour.
The people in my party were spellbound by this excellent speaker, and would eagerly see him again.