A functional fisherman’s lodge

I received a request from Andrew in the Swartberg, KwaZulu-Natal, for a fisherman’s lodge that he and his father had conceptualised.

A functional fisherman’s lodge
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After meeting with Andrew, I designed the layout pictured here. Our interaction and the accuracy of the plan proved once again the value of face-to-face meetings.

While I haven’t strayed from Andrew’s requirements, I have made a few adjustments for the sake of functionality. I extended the length of the building by 2m to create more space in the pub and dining room/lounge areas for tables and chairs. The added length also allows for a fifth bedroom, above the pub.

The thatch roof has great aesthetic appeal, while the attic bedroom area’s outer walls were raised 1,2m above the normal floor to wall-plate height, allowing for enough head-height in the bedrooms and bathrooms.

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The height of the wall between the veranda and lounge was also raised, allowing for the thatch to be stretched out over the veranda at a lesser gradient, but still adequate for rainwater run-off.

Visitors to the lodge will include families, so I included a kids’ play area and the inner and outer living, lounging and chatting areas.

I also added a fish ‘pre-prep’ (bin yard) area and the cold room. Depicted here are the proposed furnishings to scale; these allow for comfort as well as free movement. The lodge is thus compact, cosy and functional.

Kind regards
Jonno