Nestled in a valley at the foot of the Swartberg mountain range in Klein Karoo, South Africa is the Buffelsdrift Farm, a renovation project on a cluster of heritage buildings by South Africa-based studios SAOTA and Jaco Booyens Architect, the latter practice specialising in clay buildings.
Buffelsdrift Farm dates back to the mid-19th century, and consists of multiple volumes that bear the influences of different cultures and building techniques, a characteristic of South African architecture. Restorations were carried out in the main house, two barns and a store, as well as a detached flat-roofed building which was formerly a wine store. The property was acquired in sound and fundamentally untouched conditions, giving the architects with a solid canvas to work with. Traditional materials and techniques of the original construction, such as poured mud walls or brick vaulted roofs, were reused in a contemporary context. Heavy wooden accents, rough clay walls, exposed beams, terrazzo fixtures and stone flooring make up the material palette of the different volumes, coming together as a modern farmhouse that feels authentic in every way.
The stunning renovation won gold at the International Domus Restoration and Conservation Award in 2019. Revisit more architectural renovations here.
Photography © Adam Letch