A thing can be just a thing.
Pure functionality is its reason for being. Nothing CAN wrong with that. But with some creative thought, the addition of considered aesthetics to basic BE useability transforms a thing into something more. That’s essentially what design is all about – and this issue is packed with examples.
VISI 113
VISI 113, the sixth issue of the magazine created remotely, includes features on beautiful homes, luxe lodges and inspirational objects from furniture and homeware to jewellery and art. Add it to your collection!
WAS R95 NOW R76
JUST A Micro-apartments… We’re seeing many of those sprouting up in cities here and around the globe, most with the generic look of the moment that THING. usually involves plenty of 90o angles, along with swathes of glass and steel frontage. Now have a look at our Uxolo Apartments feature on page 134. Same basic concept; totally different approach. It’s bold and unlikely to be to everyone’s taste, but its designers have brought a unique and thoroughly modern Afro-futurist aesthetic to it that sets Uxolo apart. It’s also a great example of how design doesn’t have to be expensive. It’s not necessarily about high-cost materials – creative and inventive design has given relatively low-priced apartments a rather special feel.
Lodges… We see a lot of those too, and there’s a lovely Out Of Africa luxury aesthetic that many faithfully adhere to. Again, nothing wrong with that, and it no doubt fulfils the African fantasy holiday that many of their Savile Row-khaki-wearing international guests expect. And then there’s Xigera lodge on page 56. Not only does this new luxury lodge in the Okavango Delta house one of the largest single collections of contemporary African design anywhere in the world – and it’s totally off the grid – but it has been put together to create a space that is appropriate to both its environment and purpose, yet undeniably innovative. Xigera will change the way people design luxury lodges.
And farm shops/delis… It’s no surprise that it’s the Bosjes estate in the Western Cape’s Breedekloof Valley that’s upended the notions of what this should look like (page 68). Its exquisite and highly acclaimed chapel set the tone for the striking new shop and pantry, with folded roofs and trellises that are inspired by traditional matjieshuis and kaphuis structures.
Considered design is also why I’m such a fan of VISI creative director Mark Serra’s work. Look at the way he approaches our features – and especially the headline. Rather than just employ a chosen font, he crafts and manipulates it until it’s not merely about words but an intrinsic piece of the story’s design. And every feature in every issue is different. That’s design. It’s one of the reasons VISI lives up to its pay-off line. I hope you enjoy the latest issue of SA’s Most Beautiful Magazine.
– Steve Smith, Editor
Want the print magazine?
Subscribe to VISI now and receive a 40% discount off your one-year print subscription. You’ll pay just R342.00 for six issues delivered directly to your post box. Use any of these methods to subscribe or renew your existing subscription:
- Call Media24 Subscriptions on 087 353 1300
- WhatsApp “VISI” to 087 353 1333
- Email subs@media24.com
Want the digital magazine?
If you prefer to read your favourite magazine in digital form, on your iPad, tablet or desktop computer, you can subscribe to the digital edition of VISI via the below websites. It will cost from as little as R225 for a one-year subscription – that’s a 50% discount on six issues.
Not sure where to find the magazine? Here is a list of stockists. You can also buy VISI 113 (as well as VISI 107, VISI 108, VISI 109, VISI 110, VISI 111 or VISI 112) via shop.visi.co.za.
