University of Cape Town

Cape Town

, Western Cape

Joseph Michael SOLOMON

: Architect

WALGATE and ELSWORTH

: Architect

HAWKE and McKINLAY

: Architect Associate Architects

Date

:

1916

Type

:

University

Status

:

Extant

Coordinates:

33°57'27.91" S 18°27'41.31" E

SOLOMON, in 1916 - then aged 28 - was given the University of Cape Town to design on the superb slopes of Table Mountain. Designed in the tradition of

BAKER

and

LUTYENS

, early sketches showed a grand domed hall reminiscent of the Viceroy's Palace at Delhi. The design lost some character in execution, but the bold conception remains. The tradition implied Italian Renaissance prototypes with regional adaptations, shady cornices, small windows, low pitched roofs, and over all, a feeling of imperial grandeur. The University was probably the last major work in that tradition and with the

Union Buildings

and Delhi marks the end of an era.