Fynbos Cabins form part of !Khwa ttu cultural precinct’s new guest accommodation.

Set within a rehabilitating landscape once degraded by agricultural use, the Fynbos Cabins offer a gentle architectural intervention, guided by ecological regeneration and minimal impact construction. The site is part of an ongoing conservation effort, with invasive vegetation being cleared and game reintroduced to restore the native veld.

Here, six timber cabins are arranged in an informal arc, following the contours of the sandy site and providing privacy while preserving open views. Raised on timber poles and connected by elevated walkways, the cabins touch the ground lightly, allowing existing vegetation to remain undisturbed. Each unit was individually placed to respect and work around flora in situ.

The architecture is intentionally simple, robust, and buildable by local contractors. A defining rear wall acts as a windbreak, while a gabion wall—constructed from granite rocks gathered on site—provides visual weight and functional shelter to each cabin’s outdoor deck. The use of sustainably sourced pine reinforces the project’s low-carbon ethos, serving in structural, cladding, and finishing roles.

Passive thermal design underpins the cabin interiors: roof overhangs shade glazed openings, and insulation is integrated into floors, walls, and roofs. Ventilation is achieved through narrow panels embedded in walls and windows, while wood-burning stoves provide heat on cold winter nights. The energy demand is largely offset by a central solar PV array with battery storage, and all water needs are met via borehole supply.

Together, the Hilltop Huisies and Fynbos Cabins reflect !Khwa ttu’s dedication to respectful tourism development—where ecological stewardship, cultural narrative, and architectural integrity intersect. Each typology offers guests an immersive, grounded experience of the West Coast’s layered landscape—whether gazing out from a rocky hilltop or nestled in a quietly recovering fynbos plain.