An off-the-grid rammed earth abode in Botswana

This off-the-grid home offers the perfect combination of durability and rugged good looks.

Darryl Freeman’s work as an interior designer for safari lodges has sent her to the most beautiful parts of Africa.

In 2012, when it came to designing her own home on a plot of remote land along the Thamalakane River on the outskirts of Maun in Botswana, Darryl had all the inspiration she needed. This passionate environmentalist opted for a rammed earth structure as building materials were readily available and these rustic homes are both durable and beautiful. Rammed earth walls are made by compacting well-graded earth that comprises sand, gravel, clay and silt into a frame. Once the soil is dry, the frame is removed, leaving behind striking walls that boast attractive, horizontal layers of earth. “They feature a beautiful unfinished look with a thin layer of crushed stone along a layer of fine sand,” says Darryl. We first featured a partial rammed earth building in our September 2015 issue and it seems this technique has slowly but surely gained popularity – which is hardly surprising when you consider its many advantages.

“Rammed earth homes are constructed from readily available materials; this method requires no paint or finishes, it’s durable and the thick walls ensure that the building is cool in summer and warm in winter,” says Paul Marais, an architect who specialises in rammed earth construction and who designed and oversaw the building of Darryl’s home.

“It can also be very cost-effective and these homes have low embodied energy (embodied energy refers to the amount of energy it takes to extract, process, manufacture and deliver any building material), so its impact on climate change is much less than conventional construction.”

While Darryl initially lived in the house for three years, it’s now rented out on Airbnb – but she still likes to visit occasionally. “I love the house but the surroundings are also pretty spectacular. I’ve had visits from elephants, hippos and crocodiles and the resident wildlife includes the local donkeys, goats and cows that roam free throughout the area. It’s really special.” >>

I wanted simple clean lines that don’t detract from the rawness of the walls. – Darryl

THE HOMEOWNER Darryl Freeman WHERE Maun, Botswana SIZE 87m²

Slatted wooden sliding doors that run along the length of the façade open up onto the braai area with a clear view of the Thamalakane River just beyond it. During the day, camel thorn trees offer shade while reed screens around the base of the home keep snakes at bay.

The open-plan kitchen (above) was designed so all the bits and pieces, apart from the fridge, are housed in the island. The countertop was made from old pine floorboards and the handle-free cupboard doors are solid wood sprayed with Duco off-white high gloss. A steel sliding door (below) in the living area was treated with phosphoric acid to give it its aged appearance.