a [ w r i t e r ' s ] r e t r e a t

 

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN [FOUR] - IDENTITY

 

[2012] AIM

keep it simple

adaptable space

moveable, foldable

primarily provide shade, sit lightly

using local available materials

 

APPROACH - GETAWAY - From work, from life, from writing

RESPECT - Regionalism, to the site to the slope, to the client

FOCUSED - on the main idea, time for writing, on nature, relief

IMAGINATIVE - ‘being’ the client, what he wants, what he needs, how he will feel

 

Sustainable for up to 3 weeks, 2 - 3 months per year. An one roomed open space [safety and comfort]. Must provide electricity and water. Avoid friends from staying too long.

 

A HOME.. NOT A HOUSE - Like paging through a book, the building should be flexible and surprising. An enclosed bathroom underneath the ground floor allows for a flexible ground level. The formal writing room is elevated for privacy and its prominence. The retaining walls tie the building to the site and brings inside and outside spaces closer together. The first visual connection on entering the house is a relaxing retractable bed for the client to ‘design‘ his next novel.

 

CLIENT - Zanemvula Kizito Gatveni Mda [1948]

Born in Herschel, S.A., Zakes [Pen name] Mda became a internationally known novelist, poet and play writer. He studied and taught in S.A. as well as in the United Kingdom. Belonging to the non-profit organization known as the African Writer’s Trust, he stands for bringing together South African writers and contributing to world literature.

 

Zakes has written inspiring South African novels such as; New South African Writing [1977], Sometimes there is a void [2011] and Ways of Dying. Furthermore he travels to villages with his students to work with the local people in theatre in their everyday lives. His community projects are to teach underprivileged people to read.

 

Zakes has spent some time in teaching, marketing, bank clerk and bee keeping. He appreciates a well crafted artefact.