African project
Pezula House – South Africa
Modern
honest
raw
Thomas Gouws Architects were
commissioned by a couple from
Johannesburg to design a retirement
home for them in Pezula Private Estate
in Knysna. They wanted a simple
modern home which made the most
of the expansive sea views. Effortless
accessibility and low maintenance
were high on their requirement list.
They’re also very environmentally
conscious and alternative energy
sources were specified.
We put some questions to Thomas
Gouws regarding the project.
What is the total size of the home?
605m 2 (undercover area).
What would you say is the most
noticeable feature of the project?
Its raw simplicity and its understated
presence “floating” above the pristine
coastal vegetation.
How did the environment influence
your design?
As mentioned above we wanted to
disturb the natural vegetation on the site
as little as possible and therefore raised
the two main concrete forms to ‘float’
above the landscape. The bottom floor
in contrast is cladded in natural stone
linking it to the site. With the natural
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