HoogwaterHuis Hangklip
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House at high tide

A Setting of Stone and Sea
Marienne Uys. South African Garden & Home, May 1981

Following the contours of the natural sculpture of rocks, the ultimate design comprises seven levels. The result is an informal, very livable house. All rooms give on to the sea, which ensures perpetual movement on three sides of the house.

Climbing the flight of steps rising from sea level, one enters through a cave like entrance arched over by uneven stones set in mortar. The passage descending to the bedroom area is a winding path flanked by natural rock and a solid wall formed by a huge sloping rock shelf which could not be removed by any means.

The guest room is virtually built among rocks and the debris from the sea at high tide sometimes washes up on to the windowsills. During the night, when the tide comes in, breakers bash the rocks comprising the foundation of the house.

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HUIS BY HOOGWATER
Estelle Spaarwater, Sarie Marais, 11 Junie 1980. Fotograaf: Alain Proust

Hef aan en bou 'n danklied
met God se spoel,'n danklied -
vlak by die gety
dig by branding en wier
teenaan sy lyf waar dit kwarts is.
Bou dit sterk en bly
vir sening en spier
en met eenvoud
soos die woord wat kom spreek is.
Bou dit met liefde
vir die gegewe
wat vraagloos gevat is.
Laat dit groei uit die aarde
uit 'n embrio van verstaan
van grond en klip en lewe.
Bou dit onbeskaamd met genot
maak elke brok 'n ervaring
elke klip wat daar ingaan deel van die paring
tussen werklikheid en waan.

Ruben Stander
Hierdie reëls is een Saterdagoggend tussen ses en sewe uur - net voor invaltyd - geskryf ná 'n rustelose nag, waarin die bouer geworstel het met die vraag waarom by homself so 'n onhebbelike taak opgelê het.



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Penny Swift, Sunday Times, 17 December 1995. Pictures: Janek Szymanowski

The rugged rocks and stormy seas of Cape Hangklip inspired a remarkable holiday home

This is where the ancient, primitive world remains forever young; where grains of sand formed from rock and shell chips roll in the waves, adding to the evermoving sand dunes. Here, the moisture laden air becomes a canvas for unbelievable sunsets; the fynbos dances in the wind; rock pools become sea gardens; and the mountain invites an ongoing play of light

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