South Africa, Breedekloof, March 2024;BOSJES farm in the scenic Breedekloof Winelands has unveiled an expanded–and re-imagined–wellness destination, Die Stalle Spa.
Housed in what was once the farm’s original stables, Die Stalle Spa first opened in 2021 after a dramatic transformation of these heritage buildings by architect Tiaan Meyer and acclaimed interior designer Liam Mooney. It was an immediate success.
“As the only destination wellness spa in the Breedekloof, just three years after opening the growing demand from local residents, tourists and overnight guests demanded a rethink. We knew we needed to expand,” explains Carlen Vorster, CEO of Hospitality & Marketing for BOSJES.“We have seen a particular demand for small groups wanting to enjoy a wellness experience together, and this large facility allows us to cater to them in a beautiful new space.”
For Mooney and Meyer, the challenge was to create a contemporary extension to Die Stalle, while retaining the link to both the wider estate and the heritage of the existing spa buildings. In the whitewashed walls and courtyard layout the new spa merges seamlessly into the existing farm aesthetic, with the low buildings carefully arranged so as not to overshadow the centuries-old manor house as the focal element of the farm.
“The scene was set with the original unobtrusive heritage building,” explains Meyer. “The architectural language of a collection of whitewashed, low-slung buildings–with deep recesses, cross-braced stable doors and oversized brass detailing–was easily compatible with Liam Mooney’s sumptuous spa interiors and Franchesca Watson’s gardens, which embraces Die Stalle building complex within its farm setting.”
“We wanted the feeling of envelopment, history, tactility, softness and hospitality to carry through to the new spaces,” adds Mooney. “It was very important to me that the soul be retained, and I aimed to achieve this by making the ‘artist’s hand’ as evident as possible.”
That meant an embrace of planned imperfections throughout the décor: traditional klompie pavers are laid without an obvious pattern, inviting creativity in craftsmanship, while the curved walls and textured stucco surfaces create the feeling of age, comfort and sensuality. Brass fittings develop the patina of time, while the sense of heritage is balanced by contemporary architectural elements. Towering walls of dry-packed stone and innovative glass dividers create an indoor/outdoor flow, as striking concrete beams bring a modern aesthetic to the space.
