The winners of the second Holcim Awards for Sustainable Construction from across region Africa Middle East were announced at a ceremony in Marrakech. Total prize money of USD 270,000 was presented to eleven projects that illustrated the broad scope for applying sustainable construction approaches to the built environment across public and private architecture, urban planning, and environmental remediation.

The project’s strength lies in the thorough research and planning and careful execution of this resource conserving and spatially-inspiring dwelling on a site within a harsh Cape-coast climatic zone in South Africa. The result is a very attractive living space which is in harmony with its environment. The light, open frame-like structure, sliding screens and glazing as well as the continuity of finishes blur the boundaries between inside and outside.

In the harsh climate of the Cape coast, this Low impact environmentally responsive house works with, not against, the elements. Its light, open frame-like structure blurs the boundaries between inner and outer space. An emphasis on resource conservation and recycling ensures independence from public utility networks – a direct response to climate and context.