Modular Beauty

A prefabricated light-gauge steel-frame house was the perfect solution for this remote setting.

- Beatrice Moore-Nöthnagel

Godfrey Hill first fell in love with the peace and quiet of Rosendal in the Free State 15 years ago. Even after relocating to the Netherlands in 2008, he would return at least once a year. And soon after he met his husband Boyd Raimond, a Dutchman, Godfrey introduced him to this piece of heaven. Boyd felt an instant connection with the small town and the two of them decided to make this their second home; they spend at least three months of the year here to be close to Godfrey’s family and friends.

Building work commenced on a plot close to a dam and Berg Maria in 2016. “Initially, we thought of using shipping containers,” explains Boyd. “But that proved to be more expensive and challenging than we thought.”

Godfrey adds: “We first heard about modular light-gauge steel-frame homes (see box on page 43) in Rosendal; there are two other houses here that have been built using this construction method and they have a similar appearance to shipping containers. Taking into consideration our remote location (which makes it difficult to get building materials and required equipment on site timeously), the slope of the site and the clay soil that results from proximity to the dam, we decided that using this construction method would be the best way to achieve what we had in mind.

[DÉCOR STYLE]

While their 120-year-old Netherlands home features dark greenish-grey walls and black woodwork, the pair was keen on a raw industrial look for their South African abode.

“We wanted a blank canvas,” says Boyd. “The views from each window create the décor. White walls and ceilings were a no-brainer and we love the cement floors and black steel.”