Photographs: Jan Smit

Our own house can be seen as the first of three case studies in the Free State landscape (see House Uys and Enkalweni). This linear structure steps down the steep eastern slope of a koppie and by keeping the roof on one level, creating a multi-volume living space towards the street (east), but offering intimate lower spaces towards the western bedrooms on top of the koppie. The dominant red brick wall announces the entrance, organizes the circulation and divides the house in served (north) and service spaces (south). The materials (red brick, corrugated iron, and steel) reflect the Free State farmsteads.