Private viewing decks with bespoke firepits offer spectacular views of a popular watering hole in the White Umfolozi River.
BEFORE THE MFULAWOZI PRIVATE GAME RESERVE'S BIYELA LODGE, there was nothing - except hectares of pristine bush adjoining the lower Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, and plenty of wild animals. "The elephants were our natural surveyors, providing well-worn paths to assist in deciding where the best routes for game-viewing would be," says Barry Theunissen, who designed and built the lodge with his wife Sonya. "While we were building, elephants often came to inspect the progress. There are herds of more than a hundred that congregate in the river in front of the lodge site."
The flat roofs of the villas at Biyela Lodge ensure the skyline is uninterrupted, while thick concrete-slab ceilings protect guests from the summer heat.
A ranger stands by as guests watch a herd of elephants cooling off in the river.
Having spent large chunks of time in wildlife reserves, the Theunissens named the lodge after local chief Phiwayinkosi Biyela, a descendent of King Shaka. The project was conceived collaboratively with the amakhosi who own the wilderness areas surrounding the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi reserve.
Biyela's modern angularity is punctuated by triangular thatch structures that double the volume of the interiors.
The lodge buildings back into the banks of the White Umfolozi River.
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Diese Geschichte stammt aus der 125-Ausgabe von VISI.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
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ROOTS
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REMINISCENT
A CREATIVE COUPLE COMBINED IMAGINATION, SIMPLICITY AND A GOOD DOSE OF ENERGY TO TRANSFORM THIS FRENCH FARMHOUSE AND ITS OUTBUILDINGS INTO A HOME THAT REMINDS THEM OF CAPE TOWN.
SIMPLIFICATION
A SMART, SAVVY AND BUDGET-FRIENDLY RENOVATION HAS MADE THE VERY MOST OF THIS YOUNG FAMILY'S HOME IN CAPE TOWN. HERE, JAPANDI-STYLE SIMPLICITY REIGNS - AND THE INDOOR-OUTDOOR LIVING IS EASY.
UP
SITUATED IN A GROVE OF INDIGENOUS MILKWOODS OVERLOOKING AN EXPANSIVE BEACH, THIS CONTEMPORARY TREEHOUSE EMBRACES THE FUNDAMENTALS OF ECO-CONSCIOUS ARCHITECTURE.
CLARITY
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GEM
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POTENTIAL
A CREATIVE, HANDS-ON COUPLE TRANSFORMED AN ORDINARY HOUSE INTO AN ENCHANTED WONDERLAND OF INTERCONNECTED SPACES WITH INSPIRED DESIGN COMBINATIONS AND EASY-GOING GLAMOUR.
LARGER THAN LIFE
Four South African MURAL ARTISTS are transforming the local URBAN LANDSCAPE, one attention-grabbing wall at a time.
IN STUDIO WITH ZYDIA BOTES
For the powerhouse behind SOMETHING GOOD STUDIO and ROMARIA KNITWEAR, it's all about collaborative design, making connections and a calm, happy workspace.
ANATOMY OF A CHAIR
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