TRIBUTE - DURBAN HOUSE
VISI|125
WITH PURITY OF FORM, NUDE CONCRETE AND BALD BRICKWORK, THIS HANS HALLEN MASTERPIECE TEMPERS THE CLIMATE, REQUIRES MINIMAL MAINTENANCE, AND HAS GIFTED ITS OWNERS WITH FUEL FOR INVENTIVENESS.
JESS NICHOLSON
TRIBUTE - DURBAN HOUSE

Round Studios' Slab chandelier, inspired by the colour theories of Josef Albers, hangs next to tube light prototypes for the Wygers' next collection. The late Paul Wygers was inspired by many design icons - including the couple's 1958 BMW R50 motorbike, which has remained fundamentally the same since its conception in 1920 by Martin Stolle.

ON FIRST ENCOUNTER, House Shaw is brutally simple: a series of three-dimensional boxes, positioned beside and on top of one another on a long, triangular site cut into one of the steep slopes that characterise Durban's forested university suburb. It is made of face brick, concrete, louvre windows, shutters and a bit of aluminium; no need for paint, wallpaper, air conditioning - not even curtains.

The simplicity of the singular painted-steel balustrade - an element designed to be read in its purest form beside the honesty of the main building materials - is fixed only when absolutely necessary, and accentuates vertical movement. Many of architect Hans Hallen's buildings include commissioned artworks. Similar, but larger, pieces of stained glass can be found at St Olav's Church in Musgrave, designed by Hallen at the same time as the house.

The house belongs to Colleen Wygers, who lived here with her late husband, fellow architect Paul Wygers. Sadly, Paul passed away shortly after we photographed the house; with Colleen's permission, we've included his observations from that interview.

In the courtyard, cast in situ concrete beams balance on brickwork screen walls with a lightness that defies their mass. Exterior floor finishes mimic the interior spaces. 

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.

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.

WEITERE ARTIKEL AUS VISIAlle anzeigen
THE STORY OF AN AFRICAN ICON
VISI

THE STORY OF AN AFRICAN ICON

With a long line of very successful ancestors, the new-generation TOYOTA LAND CRUISER PRADO had some big tyres to fill. We look at the approach its design team took to CONTINUE THE LEGACY.

time-read
4 Minuten  |
134
THROUGH THE LENS
VISI

THROUGH THE LENS

We asked one of VISI's favourite photographers, PARIS BRUMMER, to choose her four FAVOURITE CAMERAS. The brief? \"From the fun to the profesh!\"

time-read
2 Minuten  |
134
YOUR GARDEN DAY CROWN
VISI

YOUR GARDEN DAY CROWN

Gardens have the power to unite us - which is why the GARDEN DAY movement encourages plant enthusiasts to don a flower crown and CELEBRATE THEIR GREEN SPACES in unique ways.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
134
RETRO-LICIOUS
VISI

RETRO-LICIOUS

Mid-century is not just making an interior design comeback: food is following right behind. So put on your vintage 1950s LUCIENNE DAY-PRINT APRON - or '70s HALSTON JUMPSUIT if you're feeling a little funkier - and get inspired by ABIGAIL DONNELLY's reimagining of classic dishes. Think moulded jellies, finger foods and soft-serve ice cream.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
134
FERMENTATION
VISI

FERMENTATION

When you hear about FERMENTED FOODS, your mind probably goes to pickles and beer. But thanks to a growing interest in Asian staples such as kimchi and miso, we're becoming more used to these flavour profiles, and even seeing them in fine-dining restaurants. We asked ABIGAIL DONNELLY to share her favourite recipes for fermented flavour bombs that you can replicate in your OWN KITCHEN.

time-read
4 Minuten  |
134
THE CERAMICIST
VISI

THE CERAMICIST

IN AN ART DECO BLOCK IN THE HEART OF CAPE TOWN'S CITY CENTRE, RENOWNED CERAMICIST MERVYN GERS HAS RENOVATED AN APARTMENT TO REFLECT HIS OWN TASTES AND HIS LOVE FOR FIRED AND GLAZED CLAY.

time-read
3 Minuten  |
134
SEAMLESS
VISI

SEAMLESS

SITUATED ON A PRIVATE GAME FARM NEAR RUSTENBURG, THIS BUSHVELD GETAWAY HAS ARISEN FROM THE ASHES OF ITS PREDECESSOR TO PROVIDE ITS JOBURG-BASED OWNERS WITH A TRANQUIL WEEKEND ESCAPE.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
134
BUILDING AN ICON
VISI

BUILDING AN ICON

Kevin Fellingham, principal architect at Kevin Fellingham Architects, and a former lecturer at Cambridge University, UCT and the School of Explorative Architecture, talks about HOUSE HANSON and DENSTONE COURT, built in 1937/38.

time-read
4 Minuten  |
134
THE VANGUARD KELLY WEARSTLER
VISI

THE VANGUARD KELLY WEARSTLER

In this instalment of our series on the new wave of INTERNATIONAL DESIGNERS, we look at the super-talented Kelly Wearstler's DISTINCT STYLE and seemingly INFINITE CREATIVITY.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
134
COOL COLLAB OF THE YEAR
VISI

COOL COLLAB OF THE YEAR

In a partnership that highlights the strength and diversity of local talent, this collaboration by LULASCLAN and POPSTRUKT had an unplanned helping hand from VISI.

time-read
1 min  |
134