ARCHITECTURAL WONDER
Inspired by Psalm 36:7, the heavenly design of the chapel at Bosjes farm creates the impression that the structure is hovering. How the roof is held up... God (and architect Coetzee Steyn) only knows.
We visit the eye-catching chapel at Bosjes farm
The original Cape Dutch Manor House built in 1790 and situated on Bosjes farm in the Breede Valley has been in the Stofberg family since 1831. But what’s putting Bosjes in the news, is its striking chapel.
Designed by Coetzee Steyn of Steyn Studios based in London, there’s nothing quite like this modern masterpiece, which seems to float above the water’s surface.
‘After a trip to the Sea of Galilee, the Stofbergs told me about their idea to build a chapel based on Psalm 36:7: “How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings,”’ says Coetzee.
‘I started looking at the magnificent landscape, Cape Dutch architecture and especially the mission stations of the Western Cape, typically built on or adapted from Cape Dutch farmsteads. I wanted to create something that was beautiful and made you think.
‘The idea of being of or for God led to the idea of a floating concrete roof with no apparent supports, as if it were being held up by an invisible Divine force. But the contra-force (gravity) was impossible to overcome and the structure had to be supported, which is evident in the downward swoops (well, almost evident, as the roof still appears not to touch the ground...).
‘This started adding some poetry, which was further developed into what you see today.
‘It was quite a struggle at times during construction: it took about six years from conception to completion, and you lose a bit of perspective. Only almost a year after its completion can I can stand back and look at it with some perspective. I’m both proud and grateful for having been given such a project.’