By Justine Olivier, Project consultant, Veronique Kapitan Photography, Roelene Prinsloo
What makes this home exceptionally unique is that it was initially based on a modern Iqhugwane (the first initial documented building for Zulu people) with a main focus on concentric layering through as well as on the eziko (a central living space).
The astute planning of this home resulted in clear and defined spaces with the more private areas such as the bedrooms being situated upstairs and the more sociable areas downstairs. The kitchen ranks high as one of the home owner’s favourite rooms, “because I have never seen a concentric-formed kitchen that opens out to adjacent areas other than in the original ighugwane-beehive Zulu huts”.
Choosing to furnish the home themselves, the home owners decorated their inviting abode with African-inspired elements, from the artwork and the softer finishes of the carpets and bedding, to the accessories within. Each element represents something truly African and each adds a dynamic element to this chic residence.
The bedrooms add an air of elegance to the living space through their simplistic and minimalist nature; as do the bathrooms, with their double-volume vanity, free-standing bathtub, and frameless shower.
The fold-away stack doors ensure that fluidity is maintained, which is further enhanced by the open-plan design of the home.