erasmus fairbairn architects

We were asked to design a “Parisian styled home “ in Sandhurst , Johannesburg. We soon realised that Mansard roofs and the expensive detailing required would render this option secondary to the less expensive and probably more appropriate (from a climatic and cost perspective) style of “Bastide”. This is the style we decided to work with. Interior architecture by ourselves , interior décor by Sandra Bowler .This house was designed with energy efficiency in mind , solar water under floor heating and a closed solar water system was employed , amongst other more obvious devices. A central – forecourt that would have been the meeting place for carriages and horses becomes the entrance court for the mechanical transport , still housed in a stable like structure.