The Pavilion is situated on a working farm in the Cradle of Humankind, one of the most important natural heritage sites in the world, and is “the closest you can get to living in nature without being exposed to the elements”. The Cradle of Humankind is 47,000 hectares of rural landscape, 45 minutes from Johannesburg, which is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site on account of its extraordinary palaeontological treasures and natural landscape.

The architect decided to use glass and steel for the 60 square metre glass box to facilitate an even more intimate relationship with the scenery. The house has been kept to basics and the simplicity and elegance along with the “openness” of the space make for a welcomed retreat. “The compact glass structure makes for an unobtrusive addition to the landscape with its seemingly invisible walls which we refer to as a ‘glass curtain’, as many of them are sliding doors that can be pulled aside.

Enjoy drinks on the rooftop verandah and watch the sunset over the landscape on hot summer evenings or stay downstairs and have a cup of Gluehwein (or a glass of red wine) in the ‘white box’, which features a fireplace deep inside, during winter months to keep warm.