The contractors influenced the design and delivery strategies during site planning and construction, using a guiding ethos of touching the earth lightly: simple buildings and a place that blends into the landscape. Lightweight timber frames and a panel system were constructed off-site to reduce impact and shorten the construction period. The use of natural, sustainable and ethically sourced building materials; together with the minimization of energy use was an important element of the project.

Eco-friendly and aesthetic

The five self-catering units, with views of the Hottentots Holland mountain range, are linked by wooden walkways and were constructed with renewable materials with care taken to have as little impact on the surrounds as possible. Located in South Africa’s first biosphere reserve by UNESCO in 1998 and a World Heritage Site, the new accommodation makes use of innovative solutions to reach a high degree of ecological compatibility.

Each cabin features an interesting planted roof that acts as insulation and keeps the accommodation cool in summer, and for winter days, there’s an indoor fireplace. Chandeliers and lights are finished off with recycled bottles, the dining table is a basic trestle style and quirky bedside tables add character to the simple but modern and classy rooms.

There’s a braai (barbeque) area in each courtyard and all units have a walkway that leads to the central eco-pool. The pool has no chemicals and includes a shallow section with aquatic plants that assist in the cleaning and regeneration process. The original design of the buildings used elevated stilts to position the buildings above the landscape, but this was modified to accommodate a solid plinth for fire prevention.

Project background

The Oudebos Mountain Camp replaces an existing facility and aims to provide reconcilable facilities for sensitive eco-tourism. The project consists of five self-catering cabins and a small function room which are lightweight, stilted structures that integrate modestly into the surroundings.

Renewable materials such as local or recycled wood and further recycled materials are used for the insulated construction, which in large parts consists of elements prefabricated off-site. Operationally self-sustaining, local water resources are restrainedly used; energy consumption is minimized through the use of low energy systems. Wastewater is avoided by means of self-composting toilets and low-flow showers.