Art Deco Bachelor: Holyrood & the Architecture of Spinsterhood

4.17 (6)

Art Deco Bachelor: Holyrood & the Architecture of Spinsterhood

1 performance between Nov. 8, 2015 and Nov. 8, 2015
Think Up (TED-style Talk)
Robert Silke
45mins
RONNIE LEVITAN holyroodlevitan.jpg MICHAEL LE GRANGE Robert Silke _ Partners_ Portraits (21 of 333)-Edit-2.jpg robertsilke.jpg RONNIE LEVITAN holyroodlevitan2.jpg CEDRIC SHERLOCK.jpg
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

shelley • Attended Nov. 8, 2015, 4 p.m.
5.0

Robert is a great speaker and it was fascinating to hear him share some snippets from his obsessive knowledge about Holyrood.

Yolande • Attended Nov. 8, 2015, 4 p.m.
4.0

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.

Zach • Attended Nov. 8, 2015, 4 p.m.
1.0

Refreshingly entertaining and informative. Sharply wry humour mixed with architectural, nostalgic glamour.

Chris • Attended Nov. 8, 2015, 4 p.m.
5.0

The people in my party were spellbound by this excellent speaker, and would eagerly see him again.