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African Modernism: Light and Shadow in Capetown

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African Modernism: Light and Shadow in Capetown

April 15, 2013

In the online design world, we wonder if everything isn’t beginning to look the same. And then, we discover a project whose differences reveal the influences of its cultural and environmental surroundings and we feel a rush of delight as we defy the onslaught of visual globalization.

Silvio Rech and Lesley Carstens, the architects of Makalali Bush Camp (voted most innovative hotel design of the year by Tatler Travel) and Ngorongoro Crater Lodge, are known to live on site in the exotic locations of their projects so that they can design environments which are particular to each project. Out in the bush, this results in an elegant fusion of modern and ancient African architectural styles. What happens back in town when the international language of minimalism is the architectural style?

Photos via Silvio Rech & Lesley Carstens in collaboration with INK Design Lab.

African Modernism Light and Shadow in Capetown portrait 6
Above: The strong light and shadow of the African continent play a dramatic part in sculpting the minimalist textured spaces. Wood is used to create a platform for the bed.

African Modernism Light and Shadow in Capetown portrait 6
Above: The open modern space makes use of floor-to-ceiling sheer curtains and a full-height sliding door to create flexible living areas.

African Modernism Light and Shadow in Capetown portrait 6
Above: The dining area is made of wood and concrete; a translucent Kartell Icon Lamp by Ferruccio Laviani ($310 from Stardust) adds a subtle dash of color.

African Modernism Light and Shadow in Capetown portrait 6
Above: The articulation of the minimalist kitchen has a scale reminiscent of the continent’s wide open plains.

African Modernism Light and Shadow in Capetown portrait 6
Above: Color is introduced into the neutral palette in the office through the upholstery of the chair and spines of the books.

African Modernism Light and Shadow in Capetown portrait 6
Above: Brick and plastered walls create a rich and authentic texture that is impossible to achieve with sheetrock.

African Modernism Light and Shadow in Capetown portrait 6
Above: The designers use a mixture of soft textiles and hard materials to create a textured neutral palette.

African Modernism Light and Shadow in Capetown portrait 6
Above: A textured and mannered wood stair is inserted against smooth concrete steps and a rough brick wall.

African Modernism Light and Shadow in Capetown portrait 6
Above: A coffee table made out of a tree stump is paired with a full-height feature wall made of white-stained wood.

African Modernism Light and Shadow in Capetown portrait 6
Above: Bright primary colors introduce an alternate tone to the children’s playroom.

African Modernism Light and Shadow in Capetown portrait 6
Above: A wood floor provides a platform for the bathtub and continues up the wall to become a bench.

African Modernism Light and Shadow in Capetown portrait 6
Above: The organically shaped sinks sit on a simple wood slab pedestal.

African Modernism Light and Shadow in Capetown portrait 6
Above: Frosted glass provides privacy in the shower and is open to the sky above.

African Modernism Light and Shadow in Capetown portrait 6
Above: The detailing of the glass balustrade is minimal and textural at the same time.

Wood adds a natural texture and warmth to any design. See 5,039 images of Wood in our Gallery of rooms and spaces for more ways to use this versatile material.

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