“Swartberg House does something very interesting with the environment that it’s in”, says Jennifer. “It’s very hot and very cold – it’s extreme. But rather than rely on artificial means to regulate that temperature, the house itself does it; and by doing that, people have to understand a more direct relationship with the natural world.”
For Jennifer, integrating Swartberg House with its environment enhances the sense of how construction can influence a local and its climate. Among other integrations with the Karoo landscape, the grounds of the house itself embraces Karoo biodiversity with the use of drought-tolerant Karoo trees and shrubs from the succulent Karoo biodome.
“The Karoo is essential to the way I see things – it’s about clarity, it’s about power, it’s not ambiguous – it’s about the ability to see far and wide”, says Sally, referencing how Swartberg House embraces its Karoo environment. “For Jennifer, it’s about the power of volumes – it had to be a really big, strong statement to sit comfortably in this landscape”.
For Jennifer, the power of collaboration means that various elements, approaches, and expertise can be amalgamated to execute a design that is thoughtful and enhances its environment. From choices in design, construction, arrangement, and purpose, Swartberg House defines its landscape as much as its landscape defines the building itself.
“It has its own life, it has its own character, and it will have its own future”, concludes Jennifer.