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. 

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Denne historien er fra 125-utgaven av VISI.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

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REMINISCENT
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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.

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SIMPLIFICATION
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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.

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UP
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SITUATED IN A GROVE OF INDIGENOUS MILKWOODS OVERLOOKING AN EXPANSIVE BEACH, THIS CONTEMPORARY TREEHOUSE EMBRACES THE FUNDAMENTALS OF ECO-CONSCIOUS ARCHITECTURE.

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CLARITY
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CLARITY

ON THE SHORES OF WALKER BAY IN THE WESTERN CAPE, A CONTEMPORARY HOME CREATED BY A PAIR OF GRAPHIC DESIGNERS COMBINES CLEAN-CUT ARCHITECTURAL LINES WITH FRESH INTERIORS.

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GEM
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GEM

DESIGNED AND PREVIOUSLY OWNED BY ONE OF THE GIANTS OF AMERICAN MODERNIST ARCHITECTURE, ARTHUR WITTHOEFFT, THIS UPSTATE NEW YORK HOUSE BUILT IN 1957 HAS BEEN SYMPATHETICALLY RESTORED BY ITS CURRENT OWNERS.

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POTENTIAL
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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.

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LARGER THAN LIFE

Four South African MURAL ARTISTS are transforming the local URBAN LANDSCAPE, one attention-grabbing wall at a time.

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IN STUDIO WITH ZYDIA BOTES
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For the powerhouse behind SOMETHING GOOD STUDIO and ROMARIA KNITWEAR, it's all about collaborative design, making connections and a calm, happy workspace.

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ANATOMY OF A CHAIR
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Founders of local furniture brand PEDERSEN LENNARD, Luke Pedersen and James Lennard, talk us through the inspiration and design process behind their new TULBAGH CHAIR.

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