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Situated in the arid Southern Cape
district of the Klein Karoo In the town of Barrydale, this private
dwelling in a vineyard is part of a retreat enclave of 5 buildings
in the centre of the village. A cadence of rising and dipping
stone/ thatch roofs oversail alternating orthogonal
street-edge/rounded freestanding walls of muted, textured,
slate/stone/earth – all is built by local crafters/using local
labour. Brassware, ironmongery, ceramics and joinery was handmade
by regional crafters. Each building reflects relationship to both
landscape and other built form. Dry-packed stone walls - a local
vernacular - defines the enclave @ street edge, limiting
encroachment and further suburban creep. Few/double-sized windows under deep
eaves focus on mountain views over vine and olive groves, allowing
both passive solar gains from low-angle winter sun and deep
shading during dry-heat summer months. Massive hearths placed
centrally in the footprint act as thermal mass collectors. All
houses are located around a multi functional cultural forum/cellar
which acts as fulcrum for the retreat and interface with the
entire town.
See also ‘Down South’ by Paul Duncan
and Jurgen von den Schuylenberg and ‘Blueprint – a conservation
Piece’ by H. Byng and J V d Schulenberg, Conde Nast |
