It’s not hard to see why this house at Johannesdal earned architect Henri Comri an award from the Cape Institute of Architecture. Inspired by the work of the Swiss-French pioneer of modern architecture, Le Corbusier, its vast white lime-treated walls, expansive spaces, exposed brickwork, integrated industrial metal, concrete ceilings, untreated wood, limestone and glass all make a strong Modernist statement. However, it doesn’t feel out of place in its country setting or alongside the more traditional Cape architecture of the area.
Owner Dane Erwee describes it as ‘modern meets farmhouse’, and explains that he and his partner Chris Willemse envisioned ‘something that nestles; a modern exterior but with a farmhouse interior’. And their aesthetic flair is as much the reason for Johannesdal’s success as is Comri’s design.
Creative expression comes…
