Many moons ago, Julian Cooke and Paul Andrews took some time to document ideal Vermaaklikheid architectural guidelines. Sadly the documents are not dated, but here they are:
The text is copied here for legibility:
Preamble
The Vermaaklikheid/Puntjie area has a unique architectural heritage.
Perhaps more clearly than anywhere in the country, it is possible to see the whole range of traditional Cape thatched buildings, from the elementary kapsteilhuis so characteristic of Puntjie, to the small low walled thatched barns and cottages, to medium sized houses to large estates. Many are in very good condition, and still in use. There are a number of features which are found only in the area. Thatching in particular has a very long tradition here and apparently there is only one district of Holland where the distinctive thatch ridge of Vermaaklikheid appears. The solid door or shutter with a small pane is unusual, as are the rafters constructed with sisal poles. There are many variations of the type. One is what may be described as the South African farmstead, the thick-walled, gabled house with corrugated iron roof, with a wide stoep, and extra rooms or service rooms roofed with an afdak.
There are enough examples of these buildings and sufficient harmony amongst them to merit conservation, as well as a conservation attitude when new buildings are built. The guidelines are intended to point the design of new buildings in a direction that will enhance and enrich the heritage.
General character
Generally the style of traditional buildings depends on the following:
- The langhuis model ie long, narrow buildings. Bigger buildings are in a T or H or L shape. Wider buildings are usually made up of the main roof and afdakke.
- Steep pitch to the main roof. The minimum pitch is about 40 degrees.
- Low walls. The long walls are low in relation to their length.
- Small scale. Generally the buildings are rather low and small in scale, which is achieved by keeping the width of the main roof narrow: a maximum of about 6m.
- There is a wide variety of simple gables at the ends of the buildings including the leg of mutton half hip half gable. They are also used over important openings in the length of the building, normally a simple triangle or semi-circle
- Stoep. The stop, either open, or covered with a pergola or roof, is characteristic.
- Windows. The windows tend to be vertical rather than horizontal.
- Materials. The roofs are thatch or corrugated iron. Walls are very varied: of stone, plaster and timber.
New designs should respect these characteristics. This does not mean that they should slavishly copy the traditional models. However a real effort should be made to keep in harmony with them. The chief features to ensure unity are 1-4 above, thus enabling a wide variety.
The attached drawing shows variations of the traditional type.