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Year:
2023 – 2024
Status:
Built
Location:
Prince Albert, South Africa
Karoo Bastion
Year:
2023 – 2024
Status:
Built
Location:
Prince Albert, South Africa
At the foot of the Swartberg Mountains, the site was found with uninspired existing structures that lacked considered planning and Karoo character, though they were well oriented to the sun and effectively sheltered from the wind. It was decided to demolish the buildings, but their foundations were retained to provide a base for a new cottage and house, designed to respond to the clients’ programmatic needs while expressing our interpretation of Prince Albert’s vernacular and the spirit of the Great Karoo.
The Karoo is defined by its extreme, arid climate. Summers are hot and dry, with intense sunlight and soaring daytime temperatures, while winters are cold and clear, often with frost at night. Strong, persistent winds sweep across the open landscape, and rainfall is low and unpredictable. Despite its harshness, the climate shapes a unique rhythm of life and a landscape of striking contrasts, where wide skies, rugged mountains, and hardy vegetation define the character of the Great Karoo. Summers in Prince Albert blaze with pomegranates, figs, citrus, and thriving Spekboom, Plumbago, and Cape honeysuckle. In the evenings, cool winds from the mountains refresh the town, while winters are wrapped in mohair blankets, fires, and hearty lamb stew. The architecture carefully responds to these conditions, drawing insight from the local vernacular. Thick lime-washed walls and well-insulated construction retain warmth in winter and moderate heat in summer. Deep-set apertures and timber shutters are oriented to control sun exposure and encourage natural ventilation, while red clay brick floors provide thermal mass to balance indoor temperatures. The house incorporates passive solar principles, with carefully positioned openings, roof terraces, and shaded outdoor spaces that enhance comfort while minimizing energy use. An evaporative cooling system further supports efficient temperature regulation, allowing the home to remain responsive to the landscape and climate. The thick walls mark the thresholds between inside and out, shaping the volumes and height of each space. High ceilings and varied textures—from thick stipple plaster on the exterior to matching finishes on interior ceilings—create subtle layers of tactile and visual interest. The careful arrangement of wall and negative space gives the interiors a sense of calm and proportion. Roof terraces open to the vast “marshmallow” sky, offering quiet moments to connect with the landscape, while the evolving indigenous landscaping—hedges, field grasses, and loose stone patterns—defines intimate gathering spaces, reflecting local kraal traditions and the character of the Great Karoo. Here, the magic belongs to the place, where a visit naturally encourages a stay.
Year:
2023 – 2024
Status:
Built
Location:
Prince Albert, South Africa
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Drawings
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