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House Sprague
Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
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| The house was designed and built for the Spragues, an athletic young couple, and the site therefore held no limitations. A great deal of work was required on the site, including the building of retaining walls and terracing of the garden, which meant the amount to be spent on the actual house was limited. The result was a normal-sized house relying on the features of the stand to give it individuality. A high and narrow ridge ran across the centre of the koppie site. This was split almost equally in two levels with the higher section on the eastern side. It was established that the living area would be on the eastern part of the ridge, the best position for a view, the bedrooms on the west and the servants' quarters in the hollow behind the ridge. All cars and parking were to be kept away from the house. Existing rocks were used in the design for the integration of house and site. Added to this, granite from the koppies was used for some of the main feature walls. Pergolas over terraces were also envisaged as a means of plant support and so furthering the site-house relationship. The living area, including the entrance hall, is treated as one large volume with screen walls and partitions acting as visual barriers. The entrance hall is entered on the lower level of the bedroom section and so with a ceiling height of 13 ft. [3,9 m] a feeling of spaciousness is achieved. Existing rocks are retained in their original position and with plant introduction are used as a defining line between hall and lounge on the higher level. Black slate is used as flooring on the entrance area and on the terraces and it relates to the floors in the lounge and dining areas which are almost black "panga panga" blocks. A blue and green colour scheme, echoing the greens of the lawns and plants, the blue of the sky and certain flowers, is used throughout this area. All glass areas stretch from floors to ceilings which flush with the eaves. A second entrance is situated on the west side of the bedroom block and this feature opens up this section and accentuates the impression of bringing garden into entire house. Electric lighting is one of the major features in this scheme, particularly in the living section and its environs. By spotlighting different external walls and plants at night, the lounge assumes spacious proportions. Movable lighting is also used in many parts of the garden, especially on the rocks, for spotlighting, and this lighting in different grouping changes the character of the entire setting. Corrugated iron is used as the roofing and is constructed at a very low pitch with hipped ends. The roofs and pergolas create an effect of floating planes with sections penetrating the main living volume. (Wale 1962:69-70) Books that reference House Sprague
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