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The container is painted charcoal grey, which contrasts beautifully with the blond wood and white walls. -
The deck steps down to a large garden. -
With the sliding doors open, the covered deck becomes an extension of the living space. -
The braai chimney is a prominent sculptural element of the architecture. The McGregor Heritage Society recommends that new homes be built in the Cape vernacular village style to preserve the architectural character of the town. -
The deck faces north and gets full sun in winter. -
The open-plan kitchen is fitted with top-of-the-range appliances, including an induction stovetop and a dishwasher. -
The second bedroom has a double bunk bed and an extra trundle pull-out bed. -
The cottage is on the corner of Voortrekker Street (the main thoroughfare) and Plein Street.
WORDS Kay-Ann van Rooyen PHOTOS The Travel Manual
A new two-bedroom cottage in McGregor brings the novel housing concept of a hybrid container home to this village in the Breede River Valley.
If you have never been inside a shipping-container home, you might imagine it to be a plain rectangular structure with no consideration given to proportion and design. Well, you’re in for a surprise when you step inside Easy for Dayz cottage in McGregor.
“I wanted to fulfil a dream for my beloved brother,” says the owner. “I wanted to build something different and sustainable, something that embodied his thoughts around how life should be lived. It had to be fresh, creative and bold, while still being respectful to the natural environment.”
She named the cottage for the response her brother would give her whenever she’d ask him what he felt like doing or eating: “I don’t know, Sis; I’m easy for dayz.”
The house is constructed using an old shipping container wrapped with a wall that is plastered and painted white. This wall protects the dwelling from the south-east and north-west wind, in summer and winter, respectively. The hybrid nature of the construction creates an inherently thick wall, which allows for deep reveals around small punctured windows and doors, reflecting the Cape vernacular and creating passive screening of harsh sunlight. The front door on Voortrekker Street is painted an eye-catching yellow.
On the north side of the house, large sliding doors lead out to a deck running the length of the house, a braai and a splash pool. The deck is covered by the large roof overhang, creating an extension of the living space.
Easy for Dayz sleeps four people in two bedrooms, and there are two bathrooms. Linen, bath towels and pool towels are provided; and there’s free Wi-Fi.
To book a stay at Easy for Dayz in McGregor, contact McGregor Country Getaways on 023 6251 409 or 072 307 7399. You can also visit mcgregor-accommodation.co.za or email info@mcgregor-accommodation.co.za.
