VISI, South Africa’s innovative décor, design and architecture title, has launched an appeal to readers to help them save Coromandel, the former home of Edgars founder Sydney Press in the latest issue of the magazine, which goes on sale this week. According to VISI editor Jacquie Myburgh Chemaly of New Media Publishing Coromandel, situated in the eastern Highveld, is a place of pilgrimage for most South African architects and regarded as one of the most important pieces of contemporary architecture in the country,
Designed by Italian architect Marco Zanuso, Coromandel is owned by a farm workers’ trust that bought Press’ properties after his death and the house itself is leased to tenants. A visit by the VISI team to photograph the house revealed that this iconic building is in danger of sliding into ruin.

“Almost every architect or architecture student I have met, has been to Coromandel, photographed it and feels passionate about the building’s unusual design,” says Myburgh Chemaly. “A place as important as Coromandel should surely enjoy the protection of a heritage trust and VISI intends to do everything it can to facilitate a campaign to preserve Coromandel?”

Built of stone and wood, Coromandel consists of a series of passages and rooms virtually concealed under the ground, with a dramatic garden designed by SA gardening great Patrick Watson that is now virtually consuming the house itself. Myburgh Chemaly, who has invited the VISI community in her editor’s letter to email her ([email protected]) if they would like join the magazine’s mission, is in the process of setting up a committee to champion the cause and hopes local architects will be inspired to help VISI to draw up a plan of action.

In addition to campaigning for the preservation of Coromandel, the latest issue of the magazine is also championing the responsible use of wood. With a SupaWood logo attached to the cover, VISI 55 confirms the view of international trends consultant Li Edelkoort that wood is one of the most important design trends of the year.

The magazine features an array of spaces where wood has been used responsibly to warm and tactile effect, as well as a selection of wooden designs by South African carpenters.

Other unique wooden spaces in this issue include: A wooden beach cottage by two South African architects now living in New Zealand, a Bryanston boardroom built entirely from wood (and we mean, entirely!) plus Rick Stretton’s gum pole chapel in the Midlands. Johan Slee has teamed up with chef Etienne Bonthuys and landscape artist Strydom van der Merwe to create a unique wooden installation in a new restaurant in Stellenbosch.

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