House in Mozambique

Mozambique beach house

The House in Mozambique was a private commission by the owner of Ntsika Architects in Johannesburg. She required my assistance in redesigning her summer house, located near a stunning tropical beach. The project was focused on creating a climate-responsive structure while maintaining a sense of openness and connection with the landscape.

The house was designed to be built with concrete blocks, ensuring durability and resilience in the tropical environment, but with custom-designed doors and windows that played a critical role in passive climate control. These frames were developed to adapt to the constant tropical conditions, providing ventilation, shading, and protection from excessive heat and humidity.

Key design concepts

Open Courtyard Concept: The house was designed around a central courtyard, which acted as a passive cooling system and a communal gathering space. The layout allowed for cross-ventilation, reducing the reliance on artificial cooling.

Adaptive Door & Window Systems: The frames were designed to regulate airflow and light, ensuring that interior spaces remained comfortable. Adjustable sliding and pivoting wooden shutters allowed for seasonal adaptation, controlling sunlight and ventilation.

Material Strategy:

Timber was used for cladding, shading, and structural elements, bringing a natural warmth to the design while enhancing passive cooling.

Structural & Detail Work:

I assisted in developing technical sections, elevations, construction details, and a full window and door schedule, ensuring precise execution.

Special attention was given to green roof integration, enhancing thermal mass and blending the house with its surroundings.

This house was meant to be a comfortable, low-maintenance retreat where nature and architecture merge seamlessly. By combining solid, protective materials with light, adaptable elements, we achieved a design that was both robust and sensitive to its environment.