In conversation with the partners of Malherbe Rust Architects, MARGUERITE VAN WYK discovers they are motivated by a deep respect for the architectural heritage of the Western Cape and take great care to preserve historical elements while blending them artfully with more modern ones.
With its striped verandah and Cape Georgian façade dating from the mid-19th century, Blignaut House is a heritage building in Paarl – and a fitting home for the 10 architects and 10 architectural technologists who make up the think-tank team of Malherbe Rust Architects. The Oregon pine floors and high ceilings exude the charm of a bygone era, aligning with the team’s primary focus on the architectural legacy of our past.
Johan Malherbe, a heritage specialist and co-founding partner of Malherbe Rust Architects in 1989, is the team leader, while Chris Fick, Servaas de Kock and Amelia Strydom are partners.
“The core goal of Malherbe Rust Architects is to pursue the legacy of authentic, hand-crafted and contextual architecture in southern Africa, “says Johan. “Our values are non-negotiable.” This, in effect, is heritage architecture, which can be defined as understanding the cultural roots and values of people and their region over time, merging the old with the new and creating a continuum of these values.
“To preserve an authentic architectural landscape,” adds Amelia, “we have to understand its history, because then we truly respect our field. The Cape Winelands is South Africa’s culinary capital, renowned for its world-class wines and beautiful scenery. Preserving architecture as well as the cultural and natural landscape is a key element of the tourism industry of the area.
“She goes on to explain, “Architectural movements and styles are often seen as reflections of prevailing beliefs and Zeitgeist. For example, we are witnessing a conscious return to handmade and artisanal products in preference to mass production. In a way, this resonates with the simplicity found in heritage architecture: crafted materials, simple spaces, the richness of stories unveiled by structures that have been there for ages. “Chris and Servaas chip in too. “We long for the delicious aromas in Granny’s farm kitchen,” says Chris. “Everybody has a nostalgic memory bank,” adds Servaas.
The firm has worked on some prime examples of heritage projects that have attracted attention. At La Motte Wine Estate in the Franschhoek Valley, there is both the Artisanal Bakery & Garden Café and South Africa’s Michelin chef’s JAN Franschhoek – set in the historic Veepos cottage in a lavender field.
Now a prominent – and much-photographed – landmark in the Franschhoek Valley, Veepos was a cattle post in the 18th century.
“The reimagination of Veepos was a delicate business,” admits Servaas. “We had to evaluate the setting as well as the historical building: an unpretentious house in the middle of a field of purple lavender, against the backdrop of the mountains. If we’d added a room, it would have lost its character. Sometimes the beauty in heritage architecture lies in what one doesn’t add, in the ‘quiet’, understated elements.
“Linking to the bakery is a watermill that also dates from the 18th century. Built between 1770 and 1782, it was restored by Anton Rupert and, in 1975, declared a national monument. “With one of the oldest watermills in the country in close proximity, the new bakery feeds into the mill, flour and bread ‘story’ of La Motte – the backstory of the Artisanal Bakery’s narrative, “explains Amelia.
One of the big challenges at La Motte was linking that same Artisanal Bakery with the Jonkershuis, a Cape Dutch building circa 1752. Malherbe Rust Architects juxtaposed the old and the new in such a way that bothwere enhanced. “The new building is ‘polite’ and restrained, in no way overpowering the Jonkershuis,” Amelia adds. “It has a glass façade through which you can see the Jonkershuis across the lawn.
Malherbe Rust Architects were honoured when they received the Cape Institute for Architecture (CIFA) Award for Architecture for the Bakery@ La Motte Winery in 2023.
The firm has also been lauded for its masterful blending of historical and modern architecture at Babylonstoren, an old Cape Dutch farm established in 1692. Since opening to the public in 2010, this tourism hotspot is all about slow living as it entices visitors with good food and wine, not to mention strolls through its 3.5ha of gardens, embellished with canals, gravel pathways and pergolas inspired by the historic Company’s Garden in Cape Town.
In 2014 Malherbe Rust Architects received the Award for Excellence from the South African Institute of Architects (SAIA) for its architectural prowess in agricultural and tourism redevelopment and renewal at Babylonstoren. “We regard this as winning the ‘Tour de France’ in our industry,” grins Johan proudly.
The judges remarked that everything was done to create a line of continuous development in sympathy with the original buildings while still remaining true to the sensibilities of their time. Moreover, it was clear that the owners and architects understood that the life of a building is a process that continues over the years.
“Conservation entails more than the restoration of old buildings, “expounds Amelia. “When we are approached to design a wine cellar for example, we contribute in small part to the agriculture of the area. Healthy winelands will contribute to a footprint for future generations.
“Johan believes that in order to excel at heritage architecture you need a scholarly background and the ability to find a balance between research, documentation, culture and modern challenges as well as your own impact on heritage.
Research is done by interpreting ‘stories’, like that of the remains of an oak tree near the hamlet of Simondium, just south of Paarl. John says that the tree was probably the source for roof beams in old houses. “We can glean a lot of information by studying an artefact closely, and that helps us to reimagine the past and to adapt modern technology to merge the old and the new,” he says.
Resources such as family photographs, the Western Cape Archives, historical books and conversations with relevant family members all help to reconstruct the stories of the past.
“It is fulfilling and an honour to do this work, but it is also challenging. Apart from interpreting the narrative of distant years, we have to follow briefs meticulously and adhere to the National Heritage Resources Act, “says Johan. Since this act was passed in 1999, buildings and structures older than 60 years are protected. The South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA) and Heritage Western Cape, the national and provincial administrative bodies responsible for the protection of South Africa’s cultural heritage, keep a close watch on architects.
“Before 1999, declared national monuments were often ‘politicised ‘and referred to as being Afrikaans nationalist or colonial,” he adds. “The Voortrekker Monument, for example, or the statue of Wolraad Woltemade, Rhodes Memorial … South Africans collectively have only recently become sensitive to the value of of their fast-disappearing cultural heritage.
“The team at Malherbe Rust Architects has great respect for the architect Gawie Fagan, who passed away in 2020. “Fagan was quite right when he said that the greatest value of old buildings is that we can identify with previous generations through the unbroken thread of our shared culture and, in understanding them better, we can reaffirm our own values.
“From this, it follows that in its non-heritage work, the firm “aims to create buildings that age beautifully”, according to Chris. So, despite the focus on heritage projects, its portfolio includes new residential and commercial buildings, as well as wine cellars and community projects.
“You can buy a Gucci suit or you can go to Savile Row in London for a bespoke suit,” Servaas adds with a smile. “Every project we create is one-of-a-kind.