African project
Granite House – South Africa
the immediate and distant context. Large glass openings foldaway to further enhance
the cave-like inhabitation. A simple palette of materials will allow the changing light
over different seasons to be reflected on wall, floor and ceiling surfaces. Finishes are
light industrial and borrow from the mining aesthetic of Johannesburg.
The house reduces energy use by relying on solar energy for heating water and
generating electricity and natural gas for cooking and space heating. A vegetated roof
and green walls are planned to contribute to bio-diversity and reduce the overall
carbon footprint.
The existing slope of the site is
employed to re-create a landscape of
caves as are found in the nearby hills at
the Cradle of Humankind
Photographs by Tristan McLaren Photography (www.tristanmclaren.com)
42
africandesignmagazine.com