A Roof over Many Heads
Looks like a BeeHive, doesn't it?
This traditional dome-shaped hut with a thatched roof is part of a Zulu cultural village in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The shape of the hut as well as the thatched roof provides natural insulation, making it warm in winter, and cool in summer.
And, an interesting fact - the women, not the men, traditionally thatch the roof with grass. The men are responsible for setting up the framework using young, flexible tree branches. We saw this particular hut at a tourist destination; it is not seen in urban areas.
A thatched roof usually is made of grasses, reeds, or straw that is strung together in bunches and tied to a wooden structure. It is, of course, eco-friendly and looks attractive, but there's always a fire risk, especially in strong winds.
This beautifully restored 1838 building now is a museum. Thatched roofs were used in the Cape-Dutch style architecture. I took this photo on holiday in the Western Cape Overberg region, Swellendam, back in 2020, just before our COVID lockdown.
Another beautifully maintained thatch roof at a trout-fishing resort, Doornkop Fish and Wildlife Reserve in Mpumalanga. That's my son in the photo doing some fly-fishing.
Here's another thatched roof atop a round building known as a rondavel, traditionally built by the Zulu people. This design is also popular in tourist destinations, especially in game reserves. I saw this one at Tala Game Reserve in the KZN Midlands.
This thatched roof tops a gazebo, a shaded entertainment area popular in private homes as well as holiday resorts; the one in the photo was taken at the Drakensberg Sun Hotel & Resort.
This is the concrete tiled roof of what was my B&B, slightly damaged by a fallen papaya tree. Fortunately, this tree has a hollow trunk, so it is not as heavy as other trees, but it was tall and still heavy enough to cause damage.
We high-pressure cleaned the roof, removing mould and taking it back to its natural state. Looks like new, doesn't it!
A roof of a different kind - canvas, offering shade for a caravan and extra cover for its side-tent. We used to go camping when growing up, but mostly in tents.
Lastly, I could not resist sharing this photo that I took in 2023 while on holiday in the Netherlands. A very different kind of roof and building, known as the Cube Houses in Rotterdam. Built between 1982-1984, they look more like something from the future!
The only recent photo I have to show you is a kind of roof, a gazebo made of canvas. Of course, it is used as protection against the scorching hot sun, not for protection against the rain!
Most of the images were taken from my archives, but it was too tempting not to share just some of the various types of roofs I have seen in the past few years.
This has been my contribution to @friendlymoose's Photo Contest- Roofs, I hope you enjoyed it!
I've shared roofs of many kinds, but they all have one thing in common: they protect against the elements!
𝙁𝙤𝙧 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙔𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙩 𝙃𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩 𝙃𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙨
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𝘾𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙤𝙬𝙣 𝙁𝙤𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙈𝙚𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙮 𝘽𝙖𝙣𝙠
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Artwork by @artywink
𝘾𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙤𝙬𝙣 𝙁𝙤𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙈𝙚𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙮 𝘽𝙖𝙣𝙠
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Now that is a clean roof!! he looks a bit unsafe up there though with that washer. I remember the cube houses from my days when I worked in Rotterdam, there was another building not far away called the pencil or pencil case if I remember correctly
He was not one bit concerned, I was though!
I now remember that odd building behind the cubes, did not know the name until I did a search - Pencil House. That is a good example of a very different roof!
Did you work in Rotterdam for a long period?
Over a 10 year period, monthly visits from uk to cost centres in rotterdam and Amsterdam.
What a beautiful shot. But is someone living in that Cube Houses ? the way it's built is very unique.
There are people living there, it's very pricey though. We went into one of the show houses, I'd feel giddy living there, not one square wall!
Nice to see a new contestant! Welcome and thanks for your entry!
I recently visited the cube houses in Rotterdam (about an our from my house) for the first time too.
Thank you for the topic @friendlymoose! I'm glad to be here.
We went inside one of the Cube Houses, did not feel cosy nor homely at all. I'd feel quite giddy with those angled walls!
It's funny how we often don't go to places of interest close to home!
I look forward to seeing some of the other responses.
I heard that one owner has opened up his house for tourists. And he's making some good money with it too. I didn't go inside, but I've seen the inside in one of those home redecoration programs on TV once.
Roof over our head comes in many forms, materials used, designs some may find of interest.
Reading your content made me think back to living on the highveld with corrugated sheet roofing, when it rained always sounded amplified compared to the tiles used today.
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I like the sound of the rain on those corrugated iron roofs! I like the look of the ones they use in some buildings these days.
How is this miserable weather? It is freezing up our way, but the family is keeping me busy with all kinds of activities!
Take care Joan <3
Yup old farm house with wrap around verandah all under corrugated roof a total treat come rain or shine. Love this weather, what the doc ordered for me !LOLZ
Winding down last on house transfer, have arranged quotes to fix walls, currently between Khazi and myself the short old wall is leaning. Then to quote on home frontage with palisade fencing leaving the old concrete up, it will fall down slowly however is holding sand back that washes down from the road.
Once you settled in your new home and have made it your own I will phone and have a chat.
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But he's agreed to cut me some slacks.
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This is my first encounter with such a stunning house, and it truly captures my imagination. Its beauty is enchanting, and I can only envision how lovely it must be inside.😌
that is an interesting look for a roof. circular roofs are very uncommon in my birthplace and even in the country i am currently in.