Former walls, pitched thatched roofs and eco-tech are the main building guidelines for the resort village of St. Francis Bay in southern Africa. Another project of the architectural bureau Bert Pepler Architects was implemented here by the peculiarities of local architecture, flora, and fauna.
The bungalow-style mansion with rustic motives in a modern manner harmoniously blended with the local development and nature. This is a London family summer residence. All 753 sq. m of area are thought out to ensure a comfortable vacation near the river.
Thatched roof house 
 Environmental friendliness and comfort
The house combines the features of a traditional local farm and a fishing lodge, but according to local standards, it was built a little further from the coast – the minimum distance from the river is 20 meters. As an alternative to the reservoir, a swimming pool is built in the yard.
The main feature of tradition is a gable roof made of thatch, designed in a modern manner. Minimalist design, flowing lines – the structure of straw and poplar beams looks like an upside-down boat.
Tightly compressed straws form a durable, sustainable, and practical material. It keeps the house cool in hot weather and creates the effect of a thermos. The straw roof breathes, due to which there is always clean, fresh air in the cottage, and the effect of a greenhouse is not created. The flame retardant treatment protects the material from fire, while the straw remains environmentally friendly and non-toxic.
Thatched roof cottage  Proximity to the eco-flow of the interior and exterior
The architects tried to play with the object as harmoniously as possible surrounded by local nature. This trend starts from the yard. It is planted with local herbs and bushes. The landscape design matches the exotic nature of the resort village by the river.
Wood on the facades, natural finish, and thatched roof also emphasize eco-technology. Further, the style continues inside the house – wooden furniture and structures, natural textiles, and natural materials in decoration. Particularly noteworthy is the ceiling, which repeats the shape of the rafter system. The rafters are left open here, which is typical of traditional local housing.
Details such as wooden beams and straw lamps that match the design of the roof help to enhance the atmosphere. The atmosphere in the house is relaxed, light, and calm.
Modern thatched roof houses  Smooth transition of external to external spaces
The house consists of open and simple buildings. The exotic thatch roof rests on eucalyptus columns at the transition from indoor to outdoor. Here, peculiar pavilions are formed from natural materials, which can be almost completely opened by combining housing with the natural environment. The perfect place to relax outdoors right at home.
Thus, the main features of the cottage from Bert Pepler Architects are an eco-friendly thatch roof, the integration of the object into the local nature and the close connection of the interior spaces with the exotic African village on the river bank.
| Architects | Bert Pepler Architects |
| Photo | Greg Cox/ Bureaux, Bert Pepler |
Thatch roof construction in modern architecture
Traditional construction technologies, due to their environmental friendliness, color and reliability, continue to be used in construction along with innovative solutions. One of them was the construction of a thatched roof in a private cottage.
A straw roof is quite rare, but it takes place, especially in houses stylized as traditional rural buildings. A striking example of the implementation of an unusual idea was a cottage from the architectural bureau Arjen Reas Architects with an area of 210 sq. m.
Benefits of thatched roof construction
The house is made in the Barnhouse style, and here it was necessary to achieve the flavor of an old rural building but to implement all this in line with modern trends. The main exclusive solution is a thatched roof that blends seamlessly into the thatched walls. This gave the building special rural motives.
At the same time, the house did not turn into a hut, as the structure meets the current trends in architecture. There are spacious and functional bright rooms with panoramic windows. The configuration of the house implies a close connection with the environment.
Thanks to the thatched roof and thatched side walls, the house is warm and has a pleasant microclimate. It self-regulates with minimal use of climatic technology. The material is completely natural, non-toxic, breathable, and lightweight.
The thatched structure looks harmoniously surrounded by a green area. Such a building dictates here an almost fabulous, serene, and calm atmosphere. This is a kind of living oasis in the middle of the asphalt and concrete of a small town.
The contrast between modernity and traditional thatched roof construction
The architects did not completely stylize the house in an antique style. They erected a fashionable, ergonomic building of glass, concrete, wood, and metal, and then covered it with straw-like a blanket.
This idea allowed for an incredibly expressive emphasis on the thatch roof. At the same time, the thatched garment of the building successfully integrated the ultra-modern structure into a natural, relaxed environment.
From the inside, the housing is fully consistent with modern design trends – minimalism, eco-friendly and Scandinavian styles. At the same time, it is closely connected with the surroundings due to the openness of the cottage, large panoramic windows, a terrace with direct access from the living room. The design of the thatched roof became a connecting link, which made it possible to successfully beat the fashionable interior, well-visible from the courtyard, attached to nature.
| Architects | Arjen Reas Architects |
| Images | Luc Buthker |
Eco-Friendly Idea for a Beautiful Single Story House with Thatched Canopy
The presented eco-friendly project was the result of the reconstruction of an old building, harmoniously integrated into the seascape. This beautiful one-story home has been expanded to include spacious outdoor seating areas. The latter are platforms under a thatched canopy. They adjoin the living rooms and are their continuation. It seems that all these zones form one common space.
Together with the creativity of the eco-friendly project, they have achieved comfort for the owner, and guests, and made housing practical and attractive.
Thatched canopy is the main idea of ​​a beautiful one-story house
The main idea of the architects was to make the brushwood roof visible not only from the outside but also from the inside. It feels like you are in an exotic hut. At the same time, the spaces are distinguished by comfort, openness, and impressive layouts. There is a lot of space and light here.
The thatched canopy is located in open spaces and adjoins the house, so it seems that this solution is integrated directly into the dwelling. The idea of a one-story house with a thatched canopy is based on the introduction of the building into the environment and the emphasis on traditional solutions.
In addition to environmental friendliness and showiness, this version of the roof has practical significance. The surface of the brushwood metered transmits light to the adjoining areas. Due to this, a pleasant microclimate and a comfortable level of lighting are maintained on the terraces. This is sun protection. At the same time, the design is safe, and beautiful and ensures the relationship of the building with the environment.
The decor in the house and on the terrace is made in the appropriate tone from natural materials. Due to this, the interior is connected with environmentally friendly external structures, and the natural environment. Traced the integrity, and perfection of the object.
Leave a Reply