Where Scandinavian Simplicity Meets South African Landscape

Where Scandinavian Simplicity Meets South African Landscape

Carrington Loft

Carrington Loft

A residential retreat designed around its surroundings, not despite them
A residential retreat designed around its surroundings, not despite them
Carrington Loft glazed two-storey house beside a swimming pool at dusk.
Carrington Loft glazed two-storey house beside a swimming pool at dusk.

residential

industrial

Carrington Loft
Carrington Loft
Carrington Loft

Project Type

Residential Architecture

Released

Released

Technology

Sketchup Revit 3ds Max Corona

Timeframe

Timeframe

12 Months

12 Months

House Carrington balances intimate private spaces with generous social areas, all oriented to capture views of water and Keith Kirsten-designed gardens in Kimberley's most sought-after suburb.

A residential retreat designed around its surroundings, not despite them

Carrington Loft driveway, landscaped entrance and garage.
Carrington Loft driveway, landscaped entrance and garage.

Brief

Design a home that honours both family privacy and social connection.

The clients approached Makespace with a specific tension to resolve: they wanted a home that could host gatherings effortlessly while still offering genuine retreat. The site—an elongated plot surrounded by landscape architecture from renowned botanist Keith Kirsten—demanded a design that would complement rather than compete.

Design a home that honours both family privacy and social connection.

The clients approached Makespace with a specific tension to resolve: they wanted a home that could host gatherings effortlessly while still offering genuine retreat. The site—an elongated plot surrounded by landscape architecture from renowned botanist Keith Kirsten—demanded a design that would complement rather than compete.

Carrington Loft lounge at night with an armchair and tall glazed gable.
Carrington Loft lounge at night with an armchair and tall glazed gable.

Challenge

Maximise views without sacrificing privacy on an elongated site.

Suburban sites rarely offer this combination: water views, established gardens by a renowned botanist, and enough space for both entertaining and solitude. The challenge was restraint—how do you celebrate a landscape this considered without the architecture shouting over it? The elongated plot required careful sequencing from public to private, open to enclosed.

Maximise views without sacrificing privacy on an elongated site.

Suburban sites rarely offer this combination: water views, established gardens by a renowned botanist, and enough space for both entertaining and solitude. The challenge was restraint—how do you celebrate a landscape this considered without the architecture shouting over it? The elongated plot required careful sequencing from public to private, open to enclosed.

Solution

Let the site choreograph the architecture.

We stretched the floor plan to follow the site's natural geometry, creating a deliberate progression from social spaces at the entrance to private quarters at the water's edge. Window placement wasn't decorative—each opening frames specific views while controlling afternoon heat gain. Interior finishes draw from Scandinavian cottage traditions: light timber, considered restraint, nothing competing for attention.

Carrington Loft patio, lawn and picnic table beside a glazed facade.
Carrington Loft patio, lawn and picnic table beside a glazed facade.
Carrington Loft kitchen island with windows and indoor plants.
Carrington Loft kitchen island with windows and indoor plants.
Carrington Loft patio, lawn and picnic table beside a glazed facade.
Carrington Loft patio, lawn and picnic table beside a glazed facade.
Carrington Loft glazed two-storey house beside a swimming pool at dusk.
Carrington Loft glazed two-storey house beside a swimming pool at dusk.

Results

A home that feels inevitable rather than imposed.

House Carrington demonstrates what happens when architecture serves its context. The elongated form now reads as the only logical response to the site. The collaboration with Keith Kirsten's existing landscape has been recognised as an example of site-responsive residential design in the Northern Cape.

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310

Square metres of considered living

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310

Square metres of considered living

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12

Months concept to completion

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12

Months concept to completion

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100%

North-facing living spaces

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100%

North-facing living spaces

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1

Keith Kirsten landscape integration

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1

Keith Kirsten landscape integration

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Abstract close-up of smooth white and black layered surface.

Credits

A collaboration between Makespace Architects and one of South Africa's most celebrated landscape designers. Every decision—from window placement to material selection—was made in service of the site.

Wagener Hancke

Lead Principal

Wagener Hancke

Lead Principal

Chris Langeveldt

Kitchen and joinery designer

Chris Langeveldt

Kitchen and joinery designer

George Schoonraad

Technical documentation

George Schoonraad

Technical documentation

Wagener Hancke

Lead Principal

Chris Langeveldt

Kitchen and joinery designer

George Schoonraad

Technical documentation

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69 Memorial rd.
Monument Heights.
DSC Centre. 2nd Floor. Makespace Architects

69 Memorial rd. Monument Heights.
DSC Centre. 2nd Floor.
Makespace Architects