Hillstation

Perched high in Morningside, this compact retreat reimagines the idea of a Hillstation for a coastal climate.

  • A hidden ancillary unit.

    A client came to us with a beautiful site in Morningside, Durban, that had terrific elevated views of the sea and harbour. He longed to build a small bolt hole at the top of the site and told us the story of ‘Hillstations’. They are traditionally high altitude towns or places in India where people would seek refuge during summer to escape the heat. Durban, known for its warm climate, was a perfect place to investigate this typology.

    The brief was modest but layered with intent: an 80 square metre bolt-hole with a double garage and two bedrooms. The lower level is anchored into the slope by a solid gabion wall, giving the home a sense of permanence and protection. Above, the architecture becomes lighter. A steel and glass pavilion occupies the first floor, designed so that glazed panels can slide away to dissolve the boundary between inside and out. When open, the entire footprint becomes a veranda, shaded yet immersed in air, view, and horizon.

    The contrast between heavy and light is deliberate. The gabion base tucks the private spaces into the hillside, while the pavilion hovers above, embracing sea breezes and framing panoramic views. The composition allows the house to feel both grounded and expansive, small in scale yet generous in experience.

    The result is not an urban villa but a place of retreat, pared back to essentials. A contemporary hillstation in Durban, it offers refuge, simplicity, and a reminder that architecture can be both shelter and outlook.

  • Location : Morningside, Durban

Modern two-story house with a stone facade on the lower level and a large open balcony on the upper level, surrounded by lush trees and greenery.
Modern open-concept kitchen and living space with large balcony view of trees and greenery.
Modern bedroom with large sliding glass door opening to a balcony with greenery outside, gray bed with matching pillows, wall art above bed, and bathroom with double sinks visible in the background.
Black and white photo of a house surrounded by trees and bushes, with a small front porch and steps leading to the entrance.