knysna lagoon cabins

With 23 gigantic trees spread across the three plots, and the challenge of working within architectural guidelines, we set to work designing the Pieterse’s a series of cabins that would allow easy flow and practical holiday living for a large family of three generations.

From the outset, we decided not to build heavy, double storey structures. We did not want to overpower the tree canopy, but rather nestle within the trees, and rather than stamp down on the vegetation, we wanted to touch it as lightly as possible.

All buildings had to be timber structures, an aspect of the guidelines that we found very exciting, as it offered us, in a way, an opportunity to pay homage to Knysna timber architecture.

The conclusion of our careful and considerate design process, was single storey timber cabins

‘Floating’ above the vegetation. Without removing or damaging any of the trees, they were placed in such a manner as to create a ‘main’ cabin for the grandparents on the edge of the lagoon and two cabins for the younger parents and the grandchildren, with a communal entertainment area, a shared bunk room, laundry and boat house.

All the structures and walkways were raised so as not to disturb the roots of the trees and destroy thevegetation, and the fire ring areas were built on raft slabs away from the tree roots in order to protect the trees.

The SA Pine structures were clad with SA Pine inside and out, the inside kept natural, and the outside stained dark to conceal the droppings from the bats feeding on the milkwood berries. The cabins have dark, low-pitched corrugated roofs, dark aluminium slatted screens sliding in front of

The windows and doors, with the dual purpose of being used for ventilation as well as securing the cabins when the residents are not there.

The apron beneath the cabins, protecting the cabins from crawling and nesting animals and hiding the services, were pushed back so that the cabins cantilever over the vegetation, further enhancing the illusion that the structures are floating.

The spaces are well insulated with double combustion wood fire places vital for cozy heat on cold wet days, and slow fans for cooling down in Summer.

The lovely, eclectic interior of the spaces, consisting mainly of old family furniture reflects the Pieterse’s relaxed, friendly and inviting nature, where small children are encouraged to scramble onto the couches.