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Upper floor plan -
Architect Hugh Fraser -
Ground floor plan -
Thinking inside the box 7: Hugh Fraser -
6m container : The 6m container for the bedroom/bathroom upstairs and the 6m container for the children’s bedroom/bathroom (turned on its head) contain punch-outs to allow in light. -
Thinking inside the box 7: Hugh Fraser -
Geometric holes allow for light : Hugh Fraser pursued his fascination with geometric patterning by punching holes into the containers for light, and then surrounding the house with concrete walls that themselves are pierced. -
12m container : The 12m container (living, dining and kitchen area) has a set of sliding folding aluminium doors to extend the living area into the garden.
VISI’s deputy editor Annemarie Meintjes invited 10 architects to explore the concept of container architecture in a South African context. We’re publishing the results in our Thinking Inside the Box feature.
Architect Hugh Fraser has fused together concrete and containers to create an interesting alternative to the traditional family home.
Container concept
The idea is to create a small living space and utilise every inch of it because, as seen internationally, the growing lack of space in cities will increase the prevalence of pigeon-hole living. The use of industrial materials, such as containers, for a residential space can become aesthetically monotonous, which is why it is crucial to personalise the space. Hugh has used two 6m containers for the bedrooms (one on its side and one on its end), and one 12m container for the living, dining and kitchen areas. This generated only about 55.7sqm, which is on par with South Africa’s new gated community developments. The trick is to design small spaces that work efficiently but don’t feel constricted. By punching holes into the containers for light, enclosing the containers with sliding doors and surrounding the house with pierced concrete walls, Hugh has explored his fascination with pierced coverings and the Islamic idea of geometric patterning.
Company profile
Hugh Fraser’s peers refer to him as a “globe-trekking architect”. He is famous for his pioneering work with concrete as a building material and the innovative way in which he has applied it to his designs. Although concrete is often regarded as a dull, pale material when still in its natural form, Hugh has shown that, when used creatively, it can even be applied as an artistic element. He is also a consultant for the Cement and Concrete Institute (C&CI) and has worked in conjunction with this non-profit organisation for many years. The C&CI was established to promote the interests of the Portland cement and construction industries.
011 315 0300, cnci.org.za
See more VISI articles about container architecture here.
