Farmer's Weekly (South Africa)
For a wedding with a view!
Two clients of mine, Pius and Nanko, asked me to upgrade and add to their wedding facility and stayover cottages 35km from Pietermaritzburg. The site is on a hilltop commanding magnificent 180° views, which I was able to appreciate at the site meeting.
The additional buildings are to be a chapel to seat approximately 200 persons, characteristic rondavels, and regular square cottages, also of rustic design.
As many visitors enjoy the existing outdoor activities, these are to be increased to include horse riding, biking and informative bush walks.
To keep costs in check, a tented camp is also being established.
Shown in the sketch is a combination of tent and more permanent walling in each of the units. The units have the option of being self-catering. They will be located on a narrow sloping site overlooking a perennial stream. The site slopes 1:12 lengthwise and 1:5 from back to front. Because of this, the units shown are on step-down platforms lengthwise, with suspended wooded decks up-front.
The 5,5m x 4,5m bedsitter/small kitchen and shower are constructed with vertical poles over a regular built-up concrete floor slab. The outer walling can be of regular tenting material to match the tented roofs, or a combination of lightweight bush scantlings, interwoven between the upright posts, with plaster coatings both internally and externally, as required. I’ve used this method for cottages in the Congo, with excellent results and longevity.