The Magnificent Swellendam House, South Africa
This ultra-modern home has been completed by GASS Architecture, a Johannesburg-based design studio that specialise in eco-chic properties.
This new residential dwelling is situated in Swellendam on the door-step of breathtaking Langeberg Mountains – a view so magnificent that the locals have named it ‘God’s Window.’
Due to the exquisite setting the design studio opted for simple forms and materials for the architecture, in order to facilitate a subtle intervention – to ‘lie gently’ on the landscape.
The contemporary building was constructed using largely local materials reminiscent of its distinctly Southern African origins. In addition to the architecture itself, efforts were made to make the house and the land itself more sustainable. For example, the land was cleared of non-native invading species, like the black wattle. Also, all the water used in the contemporary house is harvested from the site itself, and as a result there is no connection to the municipal water supply line, making the house self-sustaining from a water perspective.
About Assif Majid
Assif Majid is a BBC trained and NCTJ qualified British journalist. He holds a PGDip and MA in journalism from a prestigious Russel Group university. Assif has worked as a digital content producer for BBC Online as well as writing for various newspapers and magazines, including Johnston Press plc and News International.
Assif is the current editor of Adelto Magazine. He can be found tweeting on Twitter at www.twitter.com/journolista
January 27, 2012 | Property | View comments
