Veld school

PHOTOS: David Ross | PRODUCTION: Annemarie Meintjes, Klara van Wyngaarden | WORDS: Ailsa Uys

There’s a quiet revolution taking place in the Free State, where a designing duo has a vision for South African architecture that references the landscape, pays tribute to the past and looks to the future.

Louw de Bruin and Rachel Small have the Free State and Northern Cape ‘running through their veins’.

When building their new home, House Enkalweni, their first priority was to ensure that the structure would be entirely in sync with the local landscape. To do this, they enlisted Free State architects Jan and Petria Smit – in conjunction with Henry Pretorius – to create a building that would be rooted in the surrounds without dominating them. Louw and Rachel could not have chosen a more passionate pair. J

an and Petria draw much of their inspiration from the Free State veld, and are fast becoming known for their design signature – a contemporary take on the rural South African farmhouse. This home forms the final part of a trilogy of residential buildings that the Smits have designed. Typical of all their projects is the use of local materials, and structures that reflect the served/services philosophy of architect Louis Kahn.

House Enkalweni has been named after the original farm and is grounded by the use of regional materials; local stone clads the basement and silo-shaped wine cellar, serving to visually anchor the house to the side of an east-facing koppie.

The farmhouse vernacular is most apparent in the elements that make up the 400m2 residence, such as outbuildings, an iron-clad shed and stone silos. However, these structures no longer serve a traditional role – the sheds are, in fact, the couple’s living quarters, while the corrugated iron ‘outbuildings’ are used for all service activities. As the main shed comes into view, the structure reveals itself as a glass box backed by a corrugated-iron wall and cantilevered roof.

In the Smits’ interpretation of the served/services model, services are south-facing and defined by corrugated-iron cladding, while adjoining, north-facing served areas such as bedrooms and living spaces are identified by a glass envelope.

Remote surrounds serve as inspiration

Building in the open veld is relatively common in the Free State environment, though some would claim that because of a ‘middle-of-nowhere’ feel, inspiration is hard to come by. Not so, say Jan and Petria, explaining that they draw a wealth of ideas from the vastness of the remote surrounds, as well as from existing structures in the landscape.

‘We pick up clues as to what our design direction should be from specific site conditions. In this case it was the slope, the view, the approach and the colours. All these elements were then transformed into a concept. The northern orientation is very important in the Free State, as is the possibility of capturing a view.’

The property features existing stone walls and farm buildings that date from the early 20th century (when only local stone was used). This inspired the idea of stone for the basement, a design statement that anchors the house to its historic past.

At House Enkalweni, stone symbolises stability and strength. The material is strikingly juxtaposed against the fragility of glass and the industrial character of corrugated iron. As well as creating textural interest, the combination of these elements helps to establish the rustic colour palette. The overall impression is that of a house growing out of its surroundings, and this enhances the structure’s sense of place in the landscape.

A space that invites the outdoors in

The site is a steep slope, which enabled the architects to create a structure that cantilevers out of the hillside (dropping 14 metres on the east) with a roof that remains level – in turn facilitating a triple-volume living area. Spaces are clearly divided according to use (another Smit signature). The public areas are on the lower side of the site, while private areas are set higher up. All are linked by a remarkable glass-and-steel bridge.

As you move through the home, spaces unfold like platforms in the landscape, a play on Le Corbusier’s Promenade Architectural – a concept that holds the idea of ‘movement and sequence’ at its core. Throughout the structure, small viewing decks have been incorporated to provide the owners, who are always on the go, with opportunities to take in the panorama. A chaise from Lounge Lizard is perfectly placed on a passageway balcony, enticing visitors to sit and rest.

This is truly a space that invites the outdoors in – windows (lined with balustrades) have been designed to fold back, enabling the owners to open the top section of the house almost entirely to the elements.

Interior details include varnished concrete floors (finished by the couple), white walls that reflect the crisp light, and windows with simple aluminium blinds. Furnishings are minimalist, with an emphasis on natural shades in tactile fabrics.

The space is not without its decorating flourishes, though, like the coffee table that was once a grand-piano crate. Warmth is provided by texture, such as the concrete stairs clad in beautifully restored, weathered wooden sleepers. Rachel declares Lounge Lizard in Bloemfontein to be her favourite local decor stop, though she demonstrated an impressive savvy for internet shopping.

It is the Smits’ intention to develop a uniquely Free State and in turn South African vernacular. If House Enkalweni is an example of the future of contemporary local architecture, we are on the brink of establishing a style that we can both call our own and be proud of, one that embraces the past while looking to the future.

As if to drive this point home, the faraway squeak of the property’s windmill carries inside, a subtle and evocative sign that we may be even closer than we think.

Smit Architects: 083 500 6979
Marcell Mellet (builder:): 051 433 1476