This ambitious project called for a large house, built by the client and a small team, without a main contractor, using unconventional construction methods and materials. The brief was to provide a house that worked for the couple, maximized the opportunity of the site and would comfortably accommodate the extended family for regular gatherings.

The client had been collecting stone and recycled timber for a decade before commissioning the house. The collected materials were to be fully utilized. An agreement with local communities in the area gave access to forests earmarked for clearing and numerous indigenous hardwoods were resourced for the house. This wood was used for flooring and the manufacture of furniture on the farm. The various timber species were fabricated into beds, doors, tables and storage systems.

THE BOULDER WALL

Siting the house at water’s edge provided some challenges including sloping, unstable soil. The cutting of the platform exposed large boulders, utilized to retain the cut slope. Additional rocks were resourced from the excavation of a gas pipeline in the district. The landscaper developed an ingenious rock packing methodology with the assistance of the engineer. The boulders, being from the site, are a suitable response to the scale of the project and the expansive site.

THE LAKE EDGE

The house mediates the transition from the rock-walled entrance courtyard to a tree lined landscaped platform behind the house, through to a view overlooking the lake at the front. Instead of a large veranda to the front of the house, outdoor living areas are set between the core ground floor zones. These courtyards are nestled between living, work and bedroom bays, allowing both internal and external spaces to enjoy the water’s edge. This also protects the external spaces from prevailing winds, increasing the comfort of sitting outdoors.

THE STAIR

The various spaces are linked on upper and lower level with a wide gallery and connected vertically by a bespoke stair. The stair is situated to connect the master bedroom to the main living and kitchen directly below. This ensures a more compact living zone for the primary couple to inhabit when the extended family is away.

SCALABLE TECHNOLOGY

Custom systems are used both in construction of the main structure and down to the fine detail of the furniture. A language was developed in the design process that was scalable so the detailing of the internal walls, ceilings and partitions translate into storage systems and furniture. In turn the steel structure is detailed in a way that it is translated into kitchen fittings and furniture. This concept is resolved into table feet and cupboard hinges, all uniquely developed for the project.

The building process was overseen by a combination of skilled tradesmen and local labour. Skills transfer was maximized by the closeness of the team and the client’s commitment to a project of the place and by the place. The fundamental design remained unchanged whilst building systems were developed around available materials and skills. The original design was resilient enough to respond to these developments along the way and the team remained resolute – held together by the intensely dedicated vision of the client.

Winner of the SAIA KZN Award for Architecture : 2017

Winner of the SAIA  Award for Excellence : 2017 / 2018

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As a traditional settlement may be arranged to provide a protected central communal area, the private spaces of the house are arranged to define the communal areas. The communal areas are in turn designed as an extension of the landscape; a gradual formalisation of the landscape from the natural surroundings. A structured garden using endemic plants and formal outdoor spaces connects exterior to interior. Formal outdoor spaces are structured by the building and natural surroundings. The communal space is defined by the private spaces and finished the same as the external spaces.

The circulation is through the communal space, but does not cut through the functional areas, so although it is open plan, the function of living, dining and cooking are separate and connected.

Private spaces are designed so the transition ensures privacy. Finishes of these spaces are further refined and take on a slightly more comfortable feel. The building is designed from a limited palette of materials and colours.

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The venue is designed to have a strong relationship with its neighboring buildings, supporting a master-plan and the range of amenities available within the complex.

The purpose of the building is a large flexible reception space. It was conceived as an interior that by its nature was aesthetically pleasing, without requiring decoration. The budget was limited; therefore the building process was reduced to as few processes as possible. It was decided to use the structure as the aesthetic driver of the building.

A timber portal frame was designed to span the full 16m of the space. This frame uses laminated saligna beams that are manufactured Lamtim, in the Midlands. Steel connecting brackets designed to be concealed within the timber, allowing for on site bolted assembly of the large components; were supplied by Rebcon in Pinetown. The design was a close collaboration between Richard Stretton and Andrew Scott of ARUP.

A small team of carpenters, assisted by the Rebcon riggers lifted the portals into position. Smaller bracing beams, designed to provide a folded plane across the ceiling connect the portals to secondary rafters. The bracing beams are positioned close together to enhance the folded plane across the ceiling. The basic geometry of the portal induces a 3D distortion of the folded ceiling. It is this complex geometry generated through a simple process that provides the aesthetic detail and interest of the space.

The building is designed very simply from the exterior. It is designed to be an enchanting interior experience. The use of timber technology to generate both structural performance and aesthetic delight is the core of this submission. The carbon sequestration provided by the use of timber as a structure adds to the environmental economy of the project. The glazed south facing elevation ties the space to the environment and controls natural light.

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Interior and furniture design for luxury accommodation Dalton furniture workshop, Retail and custom furniture is produced in the skills development workshop, using alien timber cleared from the property.  The Dalton Trust appointed Koop to develop the infrastructure, architecture and interiors for The Dalton Private Reserve in rural KZN. The programme sought to use materials off the property and local labour as much as possible. Alien timbers were cleared to use as structural timber and to manufacture furniture and people from neighboring communities were employed to build and staff the reserve.

The Dalton Private Reserve was the winner of the first SAIA-Afrisam award for Sustainable Architecture : 2010

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The Pretty Filly bench was a finalist in the 2009 Most Beautiful Object in South Africa curated by the Design Indaba Expo.

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Houses – Landscape integration

Houses are designed to integrate with the landscape. Building systems are designed to respond to the physical environment. Materials, colour and textures are complimentary with the landscape. Construction is kept simple, using local materials to ensure that local skills will be utilised and developed through the building process.

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Elements: bed with headboard and under-bed storage, tall bedside storage unit with fold-out bedside table, wardrobe

Custom TV unit

Materials: White oak timber, glass doors on wardrobe

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