Two grand houses, in the shape of an aeroplane and ship, built by a visionary businessman without any formal architectural or construction training has stood the test of time and has recently been trending on social media.
With many older people aware of these novelty homes in Duffs Road, Avoca, the younger generation have been left enthralled by these houses that are nothing less than amazing architectural feats.
The houses were built by Dookie Ramdarie who was originally from Inanda and ran a successful and booming bus body-building business in Duffs Road…
Described as an enterprising man, Mr Ramdarie, had no formal tertiary education in the field of architectural design or structural engineering but was able to conceptualise and construct an aero-dynamic house in 1962 that beggared belief and that has stood the test of time.
Community activist and chairman of the Duffs Road Civic Action Group said Mr Ramdarie, thereafter, was not to be outdone by his imagination and embarked on his next project –a ship house.
“In 1981, he conceived and constructed this house in the shape of a ship which again courted both the envy and admiration from the world over.
“Architects from the then University of Natal who visited the house upon its completion, were in awe of the construction and could not praise Mr Ramdarie more on his vision for the design and his enterprise on building such a house. The uniqueness of these constructions bear testimony to the Ramdarie’s legacy and vision and the picture was very nostalgic of the days when the pride and joy of a visionary man became the pride and joy – and boast, of course – of an entire community.
“Mr Ramdarie just did not just build these unique houses for bragging rights – he made them into homes for his family – a special testament to a special family.”
Mr Ramdarie’s daughter-in-law Avitha Ramdarie, the president of the Soroptomists International and a teacher at the Duffs Road Primary School said the ship house had been built for her husband Ashwin Dookie Ramdarie and her when they married in 1983.
Recalling her memories, Ms Ramdarie said her father-in-law had built the houses because he loved travelling and had even had his bus building business offices built in the shape of a bus.
She said the family had relocated from Inanda when her husband was two years old (60 years ago) when the house was built.
She said back in the early years, the house was a novelty and “somewhat of a tourist attraction”.
“Our gates were never closed, people would drive up and ask for a tour of the house, mesmerised by its design and grandeur.
“Over the years we have done renovations to modernise it but the essence ultimately remains the same. While we have cherished moments living in this differently designed house, there were also times when my husband wished it was a regular house – especially when we were doing renovations,” said Ms Ramdarie.
She said the family had a love for ships, cruiseliners and the ocean – so much so that her daughter (who lives with them) Yatisha is an accountant turned travel business owner who only specialises in local and international ship cruises.
