Farmhouse, au naturel

Farmhouse, a hotel concept by Nirox, is much more than just somewhere to lay your head. A space designed to inspire harmony and created as a conduit for finding a deeper, more meaningful way of being, it’s a hotel and experiential concept inspired by its location and forming part of the new Fifty Eight wellness retreat at the Nirox Sculpture Park in the Cradle of Humankind, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The mixed-use spaces (comprising 22 rooms, lounges, and a co-working space) were fashioned out of a dairy and other existing farm buildings and pay homage to diverse influences, such as Japanese wabi sabi and ancient African culture. Designed using rammed-earth construction techniques and upskilling local communities as part of the building process, Farmhouse is a case study for sustainable design — with much of what has been used in its creation either up-cycled or recycled.

Interior items, linen, and bedding were all sourced locally, and the custom amenities and uniforms were created together with Manthe Ribane, a performer and designer who is also the creative director of Nirox’s annual ArteBotanica festival.

An experiential destination that’s grounded in nature, Farmhouse’s programmes lie at its core –— and curated experiences include guided walks in nature, hiking trails, diverse wellbeing practices, storytelling, art, and farming workshops. Underpinning the whole concept is a oneness with nature: this informs much of what happens here, whether that’s dinners around the fire in the stone boma overlooking the vegetable gardens or games of boules under ancient paperback acacias.

• From the August edition of Wanted, 2021.