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Green House
Green House
LP, South Africa
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Other Projects by Architecture for a change - A4AC Architects
Green House
LP, South Africa
Type
STATUS
Built
YEAR
2023
SIZE
1000 sqft - 3000 sqft
BUDGET
$50K - 100K
Green House – Shona Langa Eco Estate, Limpopo, South Africa
By A4AC Architects
Tucked away in the pristine Shona Langa Eco Estate in Limpopo, South Africa, the Green House is a modest yet impactful response to off-grid living in a natural bushveld context. Designed and built during the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, this 70 m² home is a product of unwavering collaboration between the client, architect, and builder—proof that teamwork can triumph under pressure.
Project Brief & Design Response
The brief called for a compact, cost-effective retreat that blends seamlessly with its untouched surroundings while offering a distinct architectural identity. In response, A4AC Architects designed a contemporary bush home that connects indoor and outdoor living through transparency, materiality, and climate responsiveness.
Despite the tight budget, the layout was optimized to deliver a fully functional 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom dwelling with a generous 50 m² external patio—essential for life in the African climate. The minimalist footprint focuses on spatial efficiency without compromising on experience or comfort.
Sustainable Detailing & Construction
The defining architectural feature is a signature floating roof—a double-skin roofing system that reduces solar heat gain. This ventilated canopy, made from opaque polycarbonate, reflects the harsh African sun away from the insulated main roof, creating a cooler interior while giving the structure its distinct silhouette. The rounded eaves soften the elevation lines and help blend the house into its natural setting.
The building structure is prefabricated from lightweight steel panels, infilled with pumped lightweight concrete and finished with a plastered steel mesh skin. This construction method minimized onsite waste and offered speed and precision during assembly in the remote estate.
Glazing is a deliberate mix of single and double-pane glass, balancing energy efficiency with budget constraints. Walls rest on a concrete raft foundation, which stores solar heat during the day and radiates it during cooler nights—supporting the home’s passive thermal strategy.
Off-Grid Efficiency
The Green House operates nearly entirely off-grid:
Power: Photovoltaic (PV) panels
Hot Water: Bottled gas system
Waste: Septic tank and French drain
Grid Dependency: Only for potable water
This makes the home low-maintenance and highly sustainable—well-suited for its remote location in Thabazimbi.
Project Details
Project Name: Green House
Location: Shona Langa Eco Estate, Thabazimbi, Limpopo Province, South Africa
Completion Year: 2022
Built Area: 105 m² (including patio)
Use: Residential Dwelling
Architect: Dirk Coetser, A4AC Architects
Photographer: Ernst van Biljon
By A4AC Architects
Tucked away in the pristine Shona Langa Eco Estate in Limpopo, South Africa, the Green House is a modest yet impactful response to off-grid living in a natural bushveld context. Designed and built during the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, this 70 m² home is a product of unwavering collaboration between the client, architect, and builder—proof that teamwork can triumph under pressure.
Project Brief & Design Response
The brief called for a compact, cost-effective retreat that blends seamlessly with its untouched surroundings while offering a distinct architectural identity. In response, A4AC Architects designed a contemporary bush home that connects indoor and outdoor living through transparency, materiality, and climate responsiveness.
Despite the tight budget, the layout was optimized to deliver a fully functional 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom dwelling with a generous 50 m² external patio—essential for life in the African climate. The minimalist footprint focuses on spatial efficiency without compromising on experience or comfort.
Sustainable Detailing & Construction
The defining architectural feature is a signature floating roof—a double-skin roofing system that reduces solar heat gain. This ventilated canopy, made from opaque polycarbonate, reflects the harsh African sun away from the insulated main roof, creating a cooler interior while giving the structure its distinct silhouette. The rounded eaves soften the elevation lines and help blend the house into its natural setting.
The building structure is prefabricated from lightweight steel panels, infilled with pumped lightweight concrete and finished with a plastered steel mesh skin. This construction method minimized onsite waste and offered speed and precision during assembly in the remote estate.
Glazing is a deliberate mix of single and double-pane glass, balancing energy efficiency with budget constraints. Walls rest on a concrete raft foundation, which stores solar heat during the day and radiates it during cooler nights—supporting the home’s passive thermal strategy.
Off-Grid Efficiency
The Green House operates nearly entirely off-grid:
Power: Photovoltaic (PV) panels
Hot Water: Bottled gas system
Waste: Septic tank and French drain
Grid Dependency: Only for potable water
This makes the home low-maintenance and highly sustainable—well-suited for its remote location in Thabazimbi.
Project Details
Project Name: Green House
Location: Shona Langa Eco Estate, Thabazimbi, Limpopo Province, South Africa
Completion Year: 2022
Built Area: 105 m² (including patio)
Use: Residential Dwelling
Architect: Dirk Coetser, A4AC Architects
Photographer: Ernst van Biljon
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