The Lodge at Verlorenkloof is built, fitted, furnished and we moved in early in March. It replaces the old farmhouse which used to house reception, offices, laundry, stores, TV facility and a small shop.

From the time the building was conceived in 2005 it was always going to be more than the sum of these necessary functions. Verlorenkloof is blessed with the most beautiful surrounding scenery, and the challenge was to create a space that would draw the surrounds in, while lying comfortably in the landscape and providing room for all the activities without having to build on again later.

The cottage type stone and thatch architecture of the Crofts was not an option due to the size and span required of the building. Function dictated, and the design evolved into a composition of stone, glass and solid masonry, with wonderful volumes and spaces resulting.

As you approach the building, the lines are straight and honest, and without the shrubs and bush to be planted on the surrounding earth berms could even seem stark. That is, until you stand back and look around at the mountains and pick up the subliminal ways in which the building echoes, teases, challenges but actually respects the surrounds.

As you approach the building from the south, it becomes a little journey along the curved buttressed rock retaining wall which brings you to the entrance. Stepping inside into a tall narrow passage with an imposing, nearly overpowering rock edifice on your right, and small high windows on your right, you are drawn forward to the light from the north façade and you emerge at the reception counter into an explosion of surrounding views and sights.

There is so much to tell about the building that I will write it in snippets and post it in small bites from time to time.