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This private dwelling in an old
vineyard was the first erected building part of a retreat enclave
of 5 buildings in the centre of Barrydale, a village situated in the arid Southern Cape
district of the Klein Karoo. 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 multifunctional
cultural forum/cellar which acts as fulcrum for the retreat and
interface with the entire town.
See also 'World
Architecture' and 'Greenprint'
Publications
on this website where this building is also featured.
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