Brakdak : flatroofs in the Karoo / Gabriel Fagan
This book contains photographs with brief notes on flat-roofed vernacular architecture in the Karoo. Taken during the 1950's, they portray buildings and unspoilt village scenes, many of which have suffered severe changes during the last half-century. Although change is inevitable and irrevocable, almost any visit today reveals a deteriorated environment. So apart from the sheer pleasure of recalling these scenes, this book might, in a small way, contribute to a realization of the simple beauty lost, and to a will to regain it.
Something about the author:
Gabriel Fagan was born in Cape Town on 15 th November 1925, the second son of Henry Allan Fagan and Jessie Fagan. After obtaining a B.Arch degree in 1952 at the newly established architecture faculty of the University of Pretoria, he worked for twelve years as resident architect for Volkskas Bank. To supervise the widespread new and recycled bank buildings he bought a Piper Tripacer aircraft, which he hangared on the family's small holding an through extensive flying he learn to know the topography of the country and most of the small country villages and outlying farmsteads, also from the air. In 1964 he opened an office in Cape Town, where he still runs his architectural practice. In addition to some 200 restoration projects he has many distinctive contemporary buildings to his credit.
Source : Brakdak : flatroofs in the Karoo / Gabriel Fagan
