Bo Kaap colours

Perhaps one of the most noticeable and loved aspects of the architecture of the Bo Kaap in Cape Town is the variety and vibrancy of the colours.

The vivid hues—ranging from warm pinks, bold blues, bright yellows, and lively greens—trace back to a time when newly freed slaves painted their homes as an expression of freedom and individuality. This burst of colour represents resilience and community, giving Bo-Kaap its unmistakable aesthetic.

The layering of colors on Bo-Kaap’s architecture enriches its character, responding to Cape Town’s natural light and framing the neighborhood's unique architectural forms. Much like the architectural approach we took of respecting and paying careful attention to tonal variations, contrast, and saturation it seeks to not only respects the traditional Bo-Kaap palette but also provides an opportunity to harmonize new elements within this culturally significant landscape.