- Location: Summerhill, Valley of 1000 Hills, KZN
- Year: 2023
- Client: Esse Skincare
- Role: Project Architect
A Thoughtful Office Conversion Transformation
Office conversions offer architects the chance to bring new life into old structures. For Esse Skincare, this project was borne of the need to reduce expensive overheads associated with renting generic office space. Our task was to adapt an old horse stable into a set of functional offices while ensuring the outcome felt light, connected to nature, and aligned with the values of a brand rooted in sustainability. The client played an active role throughout the process, which gave the work an open, collaborative character. This approach kept the design responsive to evolving needs while maintaining a clear architectural vision.
Working Within Constraints
A key parameter was the limited skill level of the appointed builder. Instead of letting this become a weakness, the design was distilled to its essentials. Construction details were kept straightforward, building methods simplified, and drawings and communications were deliberately unambiguous. The result was a clear path from design intent to execution without compromising quality.
Other challenges emerged from the site itself. Stormwater had to be managed carefully, and established vegetation needed to be preserved. Haphazard levels needed to be rationalized. Rather than treat these as obstacles, they became guiding elements in the design. Circulation routes, courtyards, and thresholds were shaped in response to the landscape, helping the building feel integrated rather than imposed.
Reimagining the Stable Block
The existing west-facing veranda was adapted as the main circulation spine, giving coherence to the layout and creating a sheltered transition between interior and exterior. Timber screens and glazed panels regulate the environment while keeping occupants visually connected to the landscape.
Inside, the former stables became private office cubicles. Select original elements were retained to maintain a sense of place, while glazed panels between cubicles allow colleagues to see one another. This softens the isolation that might otherwise come from enclosed spaces and reinforces the idea of a connected team.
Designing for Experience
The entrance was given a simple architectural gesture: a timber pergola paired with planters containing fine-leaved bamboo. This establishes a mood of calm and renewal before one even steps inside. Midway along the veranda, a sunken courtyard interrupts the linear flow. This deliberate pause creates a space for gathering, reflection, and informal teamwork. Built-in benches serve a dual purpose by concealing stormwater infrastructure, showing how utility can be folded into design without conceit or compromise.
Looking Ahead
The office conversion is not a closed chapter. A future phase will extend the courtyard with a pergola and anchor it with a long communal table. This will establish a more social heart to the workplace, where teams can meet, eat, and collaborate in a setting that blurs the line between office and retreat.
Lessons from Office Conversions
This project demonstrates how office conversions can do more than recycle existing structures. They can strengthen identity, create healthier work environments, and reduce the environmental burden of new construction.
By transforming an underused stable block into a productive office, Esse Skincare gained a space aligned with its values while avoiding the costs and impacts of building from scratch. Moreover, on site solar power and passive design principles help to reduce the overheads associated with renting office space.
For architects, these projects remind us that simplicity, collaboration, and sensitivity to context often lead to richer outcomes than excess detailing or showpiece gestures. When handled with care, an office conversion becomes more than a change of function, but rather an act of renewal.
External Links
- Esse Skincare – the client’s official site
- Valley of 1000 Hills Tourism – background on the region