BUFFELSDRIFT BY SAOTA | Klein Karoo, South Africa

Buffelsdrift Farm, owned by SAOTA director Greg Truen, is a design that steps away from what one would think a SAOTA design would look like. This project was an experimental one, exploring older building techniques, reminiscent of an era when buildings were crafted from clay extracted from the earth.
Located west of Ladismith in the Klein Karoo, South Africa, the farm is a collaboration between SAOTA and architect Jaco Booyens. The project saw the repurposing of 1800s-era buildings, typical of Cape Dutch architecture, into a guest house complex and olive farm. Crafted with natural elements and local materials, the restoration pays homage to the the land, respecting its natural elements in the architectural transformation. The pump room became a testing ground for clay wall construction, reflecting historical building methods.
The restoration maintained historical authenticity, integrating elements like rethatching, replacing cement with the original lime plaster, and utilising locally sourced materials such as poplar floors, stone pavers, and terrazzo slabs. Modern additions, like a steel and oak stair and laser-cut mild steel sheets, seamlessly blended with the historical framework. The landscape redesign integrates a new driveway and a stone pool-water channel, enhancing functional elements of the property.
Architects in Collaboration: Jaco Booyens Architect & SAOTA
Contractor: Pro-Projects and De Kock Bouers
Landscaping: Fritz Coetzee
Interior Designer: ARRCC
Bespoke Furniture: OKHA
Thatchers: JNA Thatchers
Videography: Tatjana Meirelles