M SQUARE Architects

12/06/2026

A sequence through the house, from arrival into the main living spaces and out toward the pool terrace, courtyard and coastal view.

The interior is developed as a continuation of the architecture rather than a separate decorative layer — using light, threshold, texture and framed views to guide movement through the home.

12/06/2026

Set within the coastal fynbos, this proposal is shaped around the meeting of dune, forest and sea.

The architecture is composed as a series of layered, grounded volumes — opening toward the southern view, while using terraces, screens, roof planes and sheltered outdoor spaces to respond to light, privacy and exposure.

Concrete, glass, and textured masonry are used with restraint, allowing the landscape to remain the dominant presence.

A home conceived not as an object placed on the dune, but as a threshold between forest, fynbos and horizon.

09/06/2026

A sun study for a south-facing house in Keurbooms.

Along this coastline, the view is often to the south — towards the seascape, the horizon... but sunlight is to the north.

This creates a tension in the section: how to open the house generously to the view, without leaving the bedrooms cold or withdrawn from the sun.

Here, the architecture becomes a small negotiation with the seasons. A light shelf draws the low winter sun deeper into the first-floor bedrooms, bringing warmth and brightness when it is most welcome. In summer, when the sun rises higher, the same gesture helps hold the heat back.

Architecture shaped not only by view, but by the lived experience of light, warmth and season.

22/05/2026

We have been a little quiet on social media, but behind the scenes it has been a full season of work, design development, documentation, coordination and problem-solving.

This project brings together several parts of the architectural process that we enjoy sharing: reading the site, testing the concept, developing the spatial response, and communicating the design in a way that helps others understand the intent.

The early work began with site analysis — looking at access, slope, existing disturbance, vegetation, water movement, views, orientation, height limitations and the broader landscape setting. These are not just background conditions. They become part of the design brief.

The concept then developed as a series of smaller built elements arranged along the contours, with courtyards, planted edges and outdoor connections forming part of the overall spatial composition. The intention was not to place a single object onto the land, but to develop an architectural response shaped by the site itself.

The hand drawings show some of the early spatial testing: scale, rhythm, movement, courtyards, roof forms and the relationship between the built elements and the landscape.

The visualisations then allowed us to take that thinking one step further — to test how the project might sit in its context, how it could respond to light and materiality, and how the architecture might be experienced within the broader landscape.

It is an exciting time to be working in architecture and design. Emerging visualisation tools are opening up new ways to communicate ideas with clients, consultants and fellow designers. The technology is not perfect, and it is not a replacement for human judgement, authorship or design care. But when used thoughtfully, it becomes a powerful tool for clearer communication and better understanding.

This project remains a useful reminder that architecture is rarely shaped by one drawing or one image. It is built through layers of observation, testing, discussion and refinement.

01/05/2026

The Turbine Hotel will always hold a special place in our hearts.
Being neighbors is a bonus as we get to witness, time and again, the sense of awe it inspires in every visitor.

An old 1930s power station has been turned into the 5-star hotel and spa in South Africa.

01/12/2025

Construction + Progress
Thesen Islands, Knysna

14/11/2025

External elevations visualised for a new Keurbooms retreat: a luxurious one-bedroom hideaway set amongst the Milkwood forest, with the ocean beyond and a Loerie in flight. A quiet study in place, light, and the dream of coastal living.

20/08/2025

Exploring possibilities through design:
Additions to Existing

Understanding the existing structure and its constraints was the first step, followed by defining the primary building forms. The brief called for a new stair to connect to a new first-floor extension, initially imagined within the existing layout.

Through the design process, we uncovered a stronger solution: introducing a new entrance structure instead. This not only resolves the stair connection without hindering the rest of the layout, but also improves the overall flow and functionality of the home.

This is the value of design thinking — revealing possibilities you may never have considered, and creating solutions that transform how spaces are experienced.

20/08/2025

Bringing design intent into form. Comparing our early renders with the completed home reveals how concept, detail, and materiality align to create a cohesive, considered result.

04/08/2025

An open-plan living space arranged around a central fireplace, with lounge, dining, and wet bar all oriented toward expansive ocean views. Warm materiality — timber, fluted glass, and textured finishes — adding depth and tactility to a restrained, contemporary palette.

Photography: Ruan Swart