Featured in South African Home Owner under the headline No Ordinary Home. A 538 square metre family estate beneath the Hottentots Holland mountains, on a working smallholding in the Cape Winelands near Somerset West.

THE HOUSE

538 square metres, arranged as a low charcoal farm village around a green courtyard. Four bedrooms, each with a king bed, an en suite bathroom and its own door to the outside. Two further guest toilets. The kitchen runs the length of the living space, built for people who cook together.

THE ENTERTAINMENT BUILDING

A covered walkway leads from the house, past a 12 square metre walk in cold room, into a 160 square metre entertainment building. A wood fired oven, a braai built in stainless and mild steel, and an ice machine producing fifty kilograms a day. It is set up for feeding people properly.

Behind stacking doors at the far end, a 49 square metre heated indoor pool, warm whatever the Cape weather is doing, closed off by a lockable 1.1 metre gate when small children are in the house.

OUTSIDE

An open deck with a braai, and a Corten steel water feature standing in the lawn. An enclosed play park with swings, a trampoline, a netball court, a children`s roadway, a large timber climbing structure and a zipline suited to children up to about eight years old.

THE LAND

Roughly 0.8 hectares, worked. One hundred and fifty olive trees, pressed into our own extra virgin olive oil. One hundred fruit trees in a fenced orchard. Two vineyard blocks, a Syrah and a Sauvignon Blanc, each planted the year one of our daughters was born and now bottled under their names. Berry tunnels, raised vegetable beds and beehives working quietly at the edges.

The olive trees went into the ground before the foundations were poured. That was deliberate.

WHY IT IS CALLED THE GLASS CASTLE

The name comes from a memoir by Jeannette Walls, the true story of a father who spent years sketching plans for a glass castle he swore he would build for his family, and never did. We read it at a point in our lives when it did not feel like somebody else`s story. When the chance came, we decided not to sketch the castle. We built it.

An old farmhouse stood here. We came close to demolishing it and chose instead to keep parts of it in the new build. Its original doors now stand in the fairy garden, where our daughters play.

RECOGNITION

South African Home Owner ran the house across a multi page feature in March 2024 under the headline No Ordinary Home, written by Anél Lewis with photography by Malitza de Kock. Architecture by Van der Merwe Orffer. Custom metalwork by Modulardesign. The property has also been used as a filming location for a national television campaign.

We built this house for our own family. We open it only a few times each year.
1. Check-In/Check-Out: Check-in time is after 2 PM, and check-out is before 10 AM. Please let us know your arrival and departure time in advance.

2. No Smoking: Smoking is not allowed anywhere inside the house. If you wish to smoke, please do so outside and dispose of your cigarettes responsibly.

3. Noise Levels: Please respect our neighbours by keeping noise to a minimum after 11 PM.

4. Pets: We love animals, but unfortunately, our accommodation is unsuitable for pets. Unless the pet is registered as a service animal or an emotional companion.

5. Parking: Several parking spots are available for guests. Please don`t block the neighbours` driveways.

6. Cleanliness: Please treat our home respectfully and leave it as you found it. Please report any damages or breakages as soon as possible.

7. Amenities: Feel free to use all amenities provided, but please do not remove anything from the house.

8. Waste Management: Please take care of your waste in the appropriate recycling bins provided.

9. Safety: Do not invite strangers into the home for your safety.

10. Additional Guests: All additional guests are allowed with prior approval from the hosts.

You agree to follow these house rules when booking your stay with us. We hope you enjoy your stay!

Guests should immediately report any damages or breakages to the hosts. Maintaining open and honest communication is essential to ensure a pleasant stay for all parties involved. Depending on the nature and extent of the damage, guests may be held responsible for the cost of repair or replacement.