Very sad to hear about the passing of Dr. Hans Fransen yesterday afternoon. His wonderful books on Cape vernacular architecture (along with Dr. Mary Cook) remain some of the most referred to sources for researchers. He was a huge influence on me, and this group [The Cape's threatened buildings] would not exist without him, as his books, especially A Cape Camera, with its amazing photos by Arthur Elliott singlehandedly inspired my passion for old Cape buildings, and his notes on the photos taught me how to really look at old buildings and detect what changes had been made to the original design.
Hans Fransen
Book Cover
I was lucky enough to meet Hans a few times at VASSA events and was happy to give him a copy of my book and tell him it was because of him that it was written at all. RIP Hans. You will be sorely missed.
Jim Hislop
A Celebration of Life will take place for Hans Fransen on Friday 15 December at 11am. The venue is SASNEV (the Dutch Cultural Centre in Pinelands) 4 Central Square, Pinelands, Cape Town, 7405.
RSVP: kari.longman@gmail.com or 079 515 5557.
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