Graaff House 2014

Erf 342 Arniston
This holiday house, a grade IIIC building, is prominently located in a residential zone on the sea front edge in Taillard Street, in one of three Cape Agulhas Municipality Town Planning Scheme designated heritage precincts of Arniston, which lies 24 kilometers south of Bredasdorp. The area is referred to as “Arniston Old Town” the area east of Pratt Street and north of Cliff Street.

Historically the property is representative of the early evolution of cultural landscape and settlement patterns of the area and as such contributes much to the quality of the historic reading of the town. Originally the property formed part of the Arniston Downs farm dating back to 1836 when it was still a loan farm for grazing. The much altered architectural fabric still possesses the scale and form of its earlier life with some authentic fabric intact. Aesthetically, its contribution to the broader visual-spatial character within the cultural landscape and quality of the heritage area is valuable for two reasons:

1. Firstly it adds value to the setting and has a landmark quality which contributes to important vistas, enjoys visual linkages with other heritage resources, landscape elements and set pieces such as Kassiesbaai fishing village, old town centre, coastal walk and majestic views over Markusbaai and the coast.
2. Secondly, it forms an important component of the greater collective character of the streetscape with its neighbours which combines to provide the genius loci of the precinct. These contextual relationships assist in constructing a historic narrative while allowing a morphological reading of Arniston which contributes to understanding the cultural evolution of place.

 

Through a proper analysis of the context, site and building the significance were observed and re-development guidelines determined to allow responsible additions and alterations to this property which enhances its architectural heritage value while preserving the contribution to the streetscape character.