SIMPLY BREATHTAKING

A London-based architect proves that design can be both functional and beautiful.

| BY ERIN ZILIS |

Just over an hour’s drive from Cape Town, surrounded by the Slanghoek and Waaihoek Mountain ranges, Bosjes Farm in South Africa’s Western Cape region has become a destination for weddings and a daycation spot for families looking to spend time in nature.

The working farm includes vineyards and orchards, along with gardens, play areas, a spa and a guest house. And, most notably, three architectural gems including a chapel, a restaurant and a café and gift shop, all designed by South-African born London-based design architect Coetzee Steyn of Steyn Studio.

The project, which presented a number of structural challenges, occurred in two phases over seven years, and was executed in collaboration with South-African based consultants. The first phase, which included the chapel and the restaurant, was done in collaboration with TV3 Architects and cndv Landscape Architects. The second phase, which included the cafe and gift shop, was accomplished in collaboration with Meyer & Associates Architects and Square One Landscape Architects.

The end result is a blend of architecture and landscape that celebrates the Breedekloof Valley and truly takes your breath away. (bosjes.co.za)

THE CHAPEL |

The serene sculptural form of the chapel, which is used for weddings and events, mimics the mountains in its view and appears to rest lightly on the pool of water before it. Constructed from a slim concrete cast shell, the roof draws inspiration from a biblical theme important to the farm’s owners. It has, since its completion, attracted worldwide attention and has been the recipient of numerous awards including an Architizer A+ Award as well as a Civic Trust Award.

“To achieve the visual ‘lightness’ of the roof, the structure had to be simple, unifying and as structurally efficient as possible,” says Steyn. “It was therefore decided that the roof can also become the walls/columns; its own supporting structure. We created a sculptural form that emulates the surrounding mountains as well as the poetic motion sought. This lightness and motion is further emphasized by means of a strategically placed reflection pond.”

THE ARCHITECT |

“Steyn had to pitch for the project. At the time, he was a young and promising architect,” says Bosjes GM and Head of Marketing Carlen Vorster. “As he grew up in Montagu, not far from the farm, he had a good sense of the natural surroundings, climate and the terrain, which was important for us.”

Steyn believes design has the power to solve problems, inspire and improve lives. His passion is the creation of buildings and environments that are not only commercially practical but culturally meaningful. And nowhere is that better on display than at Bosjes Farm.

THE RESTAURANT |

The more formal restaurant, Kombuis, surrounded by gardens, sculpted water features and sheltered pathways, offers visitors a stunning dining spot. “The building’s symmetrical form demonstrates an open-ended extruded gable profile, with glass panels orientated to address expansive views of the valley and mountains,” says Steyn. “Stone, concrete, glass and wood comprise the principal construction materials. These were chosen with the aim to blend the building in with the surrounding landscape.”

THE CAFÉ & GIFT SHOP |

A recipient of the 2021 Prix Versailles and Architizer A+ Awards, Spens Garden Café is one of two sister buildings, the other the Winkel boutique. The seamless integration of the landscaping elements with these building structures were inspired by the simple architectural forms used by the San, who first inhabited the Western Cape. The café is built partially underground into the landscape, with gardens that wrap over the buildings. In turn the buildings are woven back into the landscape with intricate trellis structures, another nod to the San, whose grass mat huts included timber slats bent to form dome-like lattice structures that were then overlaid with woven grass mats. A sprawling lawn in front provides flexible outdoor space for a variety of functions and events, whereas the rest of the garden includes great play areas for little ones. “The gardens represent a micro version of the valley, which has now been cultivated with the new didactic gardens and new buildings nestled within it,” says Steyn. “The landscaping and buildings are located off to one side of the visual axi between the two dominating architectural features of the estate, the Manor House and the Chapel, and were carefully designed to not compete with these.”