ptural FORM
Completed in December 2016, Steyn Studio’s Bosjes Chapel opened its doors
to the public in March this year. The new chapel, set within a vineyard in South
Africa, is designed by South-African born Coetzee Steyn of London based
Steyn Studio in association with TV3 Architects and Planners. Its serene
sculptural form emulates the silhouette of surrounding mountain ranges,
paying tribute to the historic Cape Dutch gables dotting the rural landscapes
of the Western Cape.
Photography by Adam Letch (www.adamletch.com)
reflect light internally. The undulating whitewashed ceiling casts an array of
shadows which dance within the volume as light levels change throughout
the day. This modest palette of materials creates a neutral background to the
impressive framed views of the vineyard and mountains beyond.
Bosjes, meaning ‘small bushes’ in Dutch is the new name given to the old
Bosjesman’s Valley Farm, which produces wine grapes, olives, peaches and
proteas just over an hour’s drive from Cape Town. “The farm has been in
the client’s family for 184 years,” explains Coetzee Steyn of Steyn Studio.
In recent years they have been buying back parcels of the original farm
which had been sold off during the years, in order to restore the glory of
this historic Cape Dutch farm. “In the interest of ensuring the continuation
of this legacy, the client had the vision to create an Agritourism facility
that would sustain its activities for years to come and also make a major
investment in the local community,” he says.
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