2008/04/08
Down with ‘carbuncles’
MOSTLY in this country, thankfully, we are spared what Britain’s Prince Charles once called London’s architectural carbuncles.
I suppose that is because we are young by British standards, in the process of development, with our buildings a mix of old and new that does not offend the eye as much as it would in the British capital.
When he made his now much quoted 1984 speech before an auspicious audience, and described a planned extension to the National Gallery as “a monstrous carbuncle”, he had architects present choking on their cucumber sandwiches.
Well, he did it again this year while commenting on Britain’s skyscraper boom, warning that a rash of carbuncles in the form of office and apartment towers was wrecking historic cities including Bath, Edinburgh and London.
Here we complain of housing estates that look like Spanish and Tuscan villages rather than something more in keeping with our own style, but then that seems to stop at Cape Dutch anyway, so there aren’t too many options.
Earlier this month I got an e-mail from Philip Prinsloo of Winterstrand suggesting an April fool story of a homeowner in Australia deciding he wanted his house to be all up and down hill. To compensate for the sloping floors, the legs of tables, chairs, beds and so on had to be cut . “The family wear special rubber sole shoes with suction pads to avoid sliding,” he offered as the story to go with a photo he sent me.
He took the photo while visiting his daughter in Mount Gambier, South Australia, when they drove along the Limestone Coast. “I couldn’t believe anyone could build a house at such an angle and live in it. However, further on and passing below, we saw the house was normal and straight. It was an optical illusion.”
Jokes aside, Chiel is horrified that these Aussie carbuncles could ever have been allowed to be built on a piece of coast known for its natural tourist attractions and national parks. They’re an absolute eyesore.
Imagine the dunes of Chintsa or the gently rolling hills of Marshstrand being dotted with these sorts of monstrosities. They’re an abomination. I think I must join Prince Charles’ “carbuncle club”. However, but with respect to architectural friends, and I have several, I’m quite sure none of their ilk came anywhere close to designing these.
Chiel: 043 702 2242 or chiel@dispatch.co.za
Tailpiece
DID you ever notice that when you blow in a dog’s face, he gets mad at you, but when you take him on a car ride, he sticks his head out the window and loves it?
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