Page 4 - Bulletin 19 2015

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THE IMPORTANCE OF STONE & ITS RELEVANCE TODAY

Case Study of Muizenberg to Kalk Bay
Tony Kiley

Introduction: Significance of Stone in Kalk Bay

The eye of the Kalk Bay Historical Association was caught by a poster in my office

advertising my 2012 exhibition of line drawings, titled Love of Stone, and I was invited to
talk about the importance of stone in building and its significance locally. (Figs. 1.1 & 1.2.)

Having lived in the UK for 10 years my interest in stone is primarily Eurocentric and is based
on the wonderful experiences I have had exploring the great buildings and urbanity of that

part of the world. I would like to share this understanding of stone in construction and
attempt to convey the significance of maintaining and extending a pleasing application of

stone in the Muizenberg – Kalk Bay – St. James environment. (Fig. 1.3.)

It has been stated (in a study by Revel Fox and Partners in 1993) that the element that most

distinguishes the architecture of the Kalk Bay - St James - Muizenberg area is the use of local
stone in the walls and plinths of buildings, boundary walls, and road surfaces. This, of course,

is a fact and in our work as Heritage guardians, we are regularly confronted with proposals
which propose adding or changing structure which involves the use of stone. (Fig. 1.4.)

The purpose therefore of this paper is to examine the character of this small mountainside
collection of buildings which has developed over the years and to better understand how to

maintain its uniqueness. Changes to the housing stock and the Main Road are gathering pace
and we as the community need to have a plan as to how development can improve and

consolidate character rather than destroy it. (Fig. 1.5.)

The sloping sites give designers many opportunities to be inventive and the use of stone plays

no small part in this process. As someone who is both involved in local heritage as well as
having a strong traditional bias, I would like to stress that the proper use of materials is

crucial to further changes which are inevitable and the use of stone will continue to be a
contentious area to resolve. (Fig. 1.6.)