House on the edge of the Great Karoo
Prince Albert
2012
Typology
Houses
Heritage
Landscapes
Programme
Residential
City
Prince Albert
Country
South Africa
Status
Awards
Architecture SA Project Award 2013
The context is a site adjacent to a beautiful complex of
buildings on the edge of Prince Albert restored and
extended for use as a hotel. To the north of the site lies a
circular concrete water reservoir, beyond that an old pitched
roof reservoir pump house. To the west lies a koppie, on the
slope of which is another circular reservoir, and further afield
a set of cylindrical grain silos.!
To the west, a dirt road lined on one side with established
trees, a lei water which runs right through the valley, a farm
dam, fields and on the far horizon the layered expanse of
the Great Karoo. From the roof of the reservoir a view back
over the farmstead reveals the mouth of the valley from
which the magnificent Swartberg Pass.
The overall form of the house is a familiar one, a double
storied block with a parapet to three sides, a shallow
mono pitch roof. The parapet faces towards the
main road, allowing the roof to fall towards a concealed
gutter, paralleling both the slope and form of the wider
site. This placement to some extent suggests that the
house is approached from its back, with the stoep roof
being analogous to an afdakkie, which although
generously proportioned is more informal than would be
a symmetrical parapet tend facade.!
No items found.
No items found.
No items found.
No items found.
No items found.
No items found.
No items found.
No items found.
No items found.
No items found.
