Bishopscourt 1951

Originally designed and built for his parents while he was still at university, KEURBOS is testament to GAWIE FAGAN’s visionary approach to architecture – an approach that owner Lana Hudson has treasured for the last five decades.

- STEVE SMITH

KEURBOS MANAGES THE CLEVER TRICK OF BEING BOTH CONSPICUOUS AND CONCEALED.

It stands out in the architectural sense: this Gawie Fagan-designed Modernist bungalow-style home bears no resemblance to the Neo-Georgian squares and contemporary concrete rectangles that occupy Bishopscourt's streets. And it's hidden both physically and conceptually: built on a steep slope, Keurbos sits well below street level on a verdant hillside.

It's a discrete structure in a discrete location, accessed via a descending panhandle driveway that requires very specific directional instructions to find. If you know anything about the late architect's approach, you'll know that's all intentional.

This giant of South African Modernist architecture had sense of place as one of his key design principles, and his structures all show a sensitivity to the landscape – Keurbos nestles into the hill, rather than dominating it.

These were all elements that held great appeal for the house's owner of the past 48 years, Lana Hudson. Gawie had designed Keurbos in 1951 for his parents – Chief Justice HA Fagan and his wife Jessie – while he was a final-year student. After Justice Fagan's passing in 1963, the home stayed in the family until it was put up for sale in 1978.

“We were interested in a house in Nettleton Road above Clifton, but our bid was R5 000 short,” recalls Lana. “It was a lot of money for a house back then, so before we put in another bid, I thought I'd have one more look around.