Parys House is a quietly resolved home that excels in balancing simplicity, climate response, and personal meaning, standing apart within a restrictive estate through calm detailing and a deep connection to its occupants and place.
© Marsel Roothman
A small erf nestled between estate homes opens toward the Vaal River. While the site is constrained by proximity to neighbours and enforced design guidelines, the house confidently sets itself apart through restraint, spatial clarity, and a thoughtful response to climate and context.
© Marsel Roothman
The clients, a retired Free State couple, brought a deeply personal brief. He farmed cattle and grain his whole life. She is a painter, drawn to colour and bold interiors. They wanted a home that would be calm and adaptable, a place to welcome visiting family, but quiet and low-maintenance for everyday living.
© Marsel Roothman
From the outset, the design focused on restraint. Early ideas involving stone and brickwork were gradually simplified to smooth plaster and raw concrete, allowing the structure to speak with quiet honesty. The house offers a sense of privacy despite its proximity to neighbours, while opening up to the landscape and views beyond.
© Marsel Roothman
As you step through the front door, a view of the Vaal River greets you. It is a deliberate visual moment, an invitation through the interior to the world outside. The layout unfolds with ease, positioning the living areas, main bedroom, and studio along the northwest edge to capture the view.
© Marsel Roothman
The orientation presented a technical challenge: the late afternoon sun in summer brings intense heat. Deep overhangs and the use of a steel box window in the main bedroom help moderate this, creating comfort without compromising the openness of the design. Just as importantly, the house is raised and detailed to prevent flooding from rising groundwater and river surges.
© Marsel Roothman
Though the estate calls for a contemporary farm aesthetic, this house finds its own version of that: one rooted in Free State pragmatism, standing quietly with intention. It’s a backdrop for art and family, for light and stillness, a simple home shaped by the land and the people who know it well.
Project Info
Architects: Nadine Engelbrecht Architect
Country: South Africa, Parys
Area: 380 m²
Year: 2024
Photographs: Marsel Roothman
Manufacturers Hansgrohe, Isoboard: Hansgrohe
Lead Team: Nadine Engelbrecht
Interior Design: Miru Living
General Constructing: J.C. Swanepoel Project Management and Projects
Engineering & Consulting > Structural: Impact Engineers
Sophie Tremblay is a Montreal-based architectural editor and designer with a focus on sustainable urban development. A McGill University architecture graduate, she began her career in adaptive reuse, blending modern design with historical structures. As a Project Editor at Arch2O, she curates stories that connect traditional practice with forward-thinking design. Her writing highlights architecture's role in community engagement and social impact. Sophie has contributed to Canadian Architect and continues to collaborate with local studios on community-driven projects throughout Quebec, maintaining a hands-on approach that informs both her design sensibility and editorial perspective.