Floor Plans
About Anthrop Abbott Architects
| Project | Karoo Uitkyk |
| Architect | Anthrop Abbott Architects |
| Containers | Four 20 ft |
| Bedrooms | 2 |
| Project Cost | $306,712 |
| Location | Karoo, South Africa |
| Year | 2024 |
The Karoo is a vast semi-desert region stretching across South Africa, defined by its rolling mountains, expansive plains, and dramatic climatic conditions. On a remote rocky outcrop in this breathtaking landscape sits a striking weekend getaway crafted from four shipping containers. Designed by Antrhop Abbott Architects, the off-grid weekender, which is only accessible via a 4x4 vehicle, features designer furniture, bespoke detailing, and a deck that cantilevers out from the clifftop—an ambitious exercise that cost over $300K.
| Cost | % of Total Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Structural Work (inc. framing, envelope, siding & insulation) | $31,584 | 10.3% |
| Wall Finishes | $26,880 | 8.8% |
| Flooring | $3,640 | 1.2% |
| Roofing | $840 | 0.3% |
| Hardware | $10,080 | 3.3% |
| Electrical | $36,400 | 12.9% |
| Plumbing | $14,000 | 4.6% |
| Kitchen & Bath Fixtures | $2,800 | 0.9% |
| Lighting | $1,960 | 0.6% |
| Appliances | $3,248 | 1.0% |
| Glazing | $39,760 | 13.0% |
| Metalwork | $1,960 | 0.6% |
| Furnishings & Decor | $37,800 | 12.3% |
| General Contractor Fee | $37,520 | 12.2% |
| Architect Fee | $39,760 | 13.0% |
| Fold-Out Decks | $9,520 | 3.1% |
| Fold-Out Pergolas | $8,960 | 2.9% |
| Total | $306,712 | 100% |
"For the client it was always about quality and longevity, and it was quite an expensive exercise," says architect Leon van der Westhuizen, who co-founded Anthrop Abbott Architects with Roald Meyer. "It wasn’t about spending silly money but there were no compromises. It was about quality, practicality, and finding the best solutions—and as there are no companies specializing in this kind of construction, almost everything is custom designed and made. There is no off-the-shelf solution."
Despite the expense of creating and transporting the bespoke modules, the uitkyk (Afrikaans for "hide-out") was still more cost-effective to build than using conventional construction techniques in such a remote location. It’s also a study in how clever design can elevate the humble shipping container, with a highly engineered, impressively detailed exterior wrapping an interior that celebrates local craft and honest materiality.
"You have this crazy view, but there’s a sense of slickness and everything is very highly detailed," says van der Westhuizen. "It’s one extreme to the other and is completely unexpected. Nothing really prepares you for the contrast between the architecture and the landscape."
Floor Plans
About Anthrop Abbott Architects
Anthrop Abbott Architects is an award winning architectural practice specialising in the commercial, social development, and residential sector of the built environment.
Anthrop Architects was established in 2013 by Leon van der Westhuizen & Roald Meyer. In mid 2023, as a result of a long standing joint venture, Anthrop merged with Abbott BEC, bringing together more than two decades of expertise and ultimately broadening our quality of professional service to our existing and future clients alike
We are committed to our clients in providing them with a personal professional service, focusing on value creation and sustainable design principles.
We follow an integrated approach, incorporating all the latest design and management tools available to the industry with the focus always aimed at putting the client’s needs first.
We are skilled in all the latest Building-Information-Modelling technology, CAD and Artificial Intelligence (AI) assistance needed to respond to the complexity and challenges of contemporary architecture in Southern Africa & abroad.
Our firm’s name, Anthrop, describes our design philosophy, and is derived from the Greek word ánthrōpos meaning human being. As Architects, we study the behaviour of people within their various environments and therefore have an anthropological understanding of how people live, meet & relax in a space.
Our vision is to be a leader in sustainable design principles in our various sectors of the built environment, adding value and improving the quality of life of our clients and the users of the buildings that we design.
| Address | 29 Selati St, Ashlea Gardens, Pretoria, 0081, South Africa | |
| Phone | +27 12 030 1150 | |
| https://www.facebook.com/anthroparch/ | ||
| https://www.instagram.com/anthroparchitects/ | ||
| admin@anthrop.co.za | ||
| Website | https://www.anthrop.co.za/ |
| Hours Open | |
|---|---|
| Sunday | Closed |
| Monday | 8AM–5:00PM |
| Tuesday | 8AM–5:00PM |
| Wednesday | 8AM–5:00PM |
| Thursday | 8AM–5:00PM |
| Friday | 8AM–5:00PM |
| Saturday | Closed |
Links
- https://www.dwell.com/article/budget-breakdown-this-remote-prefab-hideaway-built-from-shipping-containers-cost-dollar300k-14f0fab1
- https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/budget-breakdown-remote-prefab-hideaway-162754905.html
- https://www.anthrop.co.za/residential/karoo-uitkyk
Karoo Uitkyk - Off-Grid Shipping Container Home with Cantilevered Deck and Beautiful Views, South Africa