Table of contents for VISI 137 in Visi

If you're a human currently living on this planet – and especially if you're reading VISI – it's pretty much guaranteed that the modernist movement has profoundly shaped the way you live. From the buildings you walk past to the chairs you sit on, the art that catches your eye, the books you read and even the device you call your mates on, Modernism's influence is everywhere. It's always been underpinned by one idea: that design can build a better world. And thank goodness for that. It turned the drudgery of industrialisation into a world that embraced the beauty of Abstract Expressionism, Art Nouveau, Art Deco, Bauhaus, Mid-century Modernism, Brutalism, Minimalism, Postmodernism… the list can go on. So where are we now on the modernist continuum? Well, it's definitely bounced…

JOHANNESBURG, A CITY THAT'S in constant motion, fuels both creativity and exhaustion. At times, the noise and the deadlines call for a retreat. In the winter of 2018, I found that escape on a three-day road trip along South Africa's Panorama Route with my parents. It wasn't just a journey through stunning landscapes, but also an opportunity to reset my vision and perspective. As Johannesburg faded in our rearview mirror, we climbed the Drakensberg escarpment, captivated by the dams near White River. These picturesque waters now irrigate farms producing tropical fruit, macadamia nuts, vegetables, flowers and timber. The crisp air kept us from swimming in the Mac Mac Pools, so we instead admired the dizzying 65-metre drop of Mac Mac Falls. That evening, after reaching Oluchi Lodge, situated on a…

“GOOD DESIGN IS UNAFRAID, BOLD, HONEST. IT EXPRESSES HONESTY IN FUNCTION, MATERIALITY AND INTENTION. BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, IT EXPRESSES DELIGHT – DELIGHT IN ITS OWN EXISTENCE AND DELIGHT IN THE COMPANY OF OTHERS.” – NIKHIL TRICAM, CO-FOUNDER OF STUDIO KALKI…

DESIGN TRENDS MOVE QUICKLY. The trends in the way we think about design, however, take much longer to evolve. Since the early 2000s, we have witnessed the creeping niche-ification of taste. Sophistication has become less about accessible, shared reference points and more about how obscure and specific you can be. This process has only been accelerated by our uptake of social media: on these platforms, the more idiosyncratic your personal taste, the greater your cool factor. But we're at a turning point. Over the past few years, the inevitable resistance has been gathering force as we see a desire to return to something like a connected aesthetic culture. SAY NO TO THE ALGO One strand in this trend shift can be seen in the growing anti-algo movement. Increasingly, people are…

THERE ARE MANY REASONS TO CELEBRATE the emergence of South African interior design on the global design radar, and one of them is the range of aesthetics our creatives have embraced. Diversity is our country's strength, and it shines through in the furniture, lighting, ceramics and interiors they're making. Leading the charge for a more pared-back and elegant Afro-minimalist approach is Walter Train, a talented young interior and furniture designer living in Paarl. From a young age, Walter was drawn to the world of art, fashion, product design and architecture, and he describes his career journey up to now as an exciting one. After studying architecture and interior design at university, he spent eight years gaining industry experience before taking the leap to start his own venture called White Sheep…

1 These black Pro Bass Urban Groove headphones transport you back to the days when you'd plug into your parents' record player and vibe to some fresh tunes. Today, the nostalgia-driven beauties have evolved, with Bluetooth connectivity and superior sound quality, effortlessly blending the best of both worlds. R199 pro_bass_za 2 Pop a wheelie on your morning ride with the Samebike RS-AO2 Foldable Fat bike. Walking the line between modernity and nostalgia, it features a removable 18V 17Ah battery, full suspension with a shock-absorbing seat, and a bright headlight. R29 900 | iroll.co.za 3 First introduced in 1984, the Koss Porta Pro headphones revolutionised personal listening – and 41 years later, they're still a standout. The Limited Edition Rhythm Beige model includes an inline microphone and a remote, and features…

IN THE MORNING, NATURAL LIGHT POURS INTO THE HOUSE VIA A CENTRAL ATRIUM COURTYARD. ALMOST 100 YEARS AGO, in his influential 1927 manifesto Vers Une Architecture (Towards An Architecture), architect Le Corbusier declared: “A house is a machine for living in.” Much discussed and critiqued since, the concept retains its explanatory usefulness. For modern designers, buildings should always balance functionality with aesthetics. That may sound simple, but it definitely isn't easy to do well – and when it's managed as beautifully as it has been in this home, it's something to celebrate. The home isn't large; it has just two bedrooms and bathrooms, an open-plan area for cooking, dining and lounging, and a small outdoor living space and garden. Tuck in a pocket-sized home office near the front door and…

BE IT ON WALLS, FLOORS OR BOTH, GET ADVENTUROUS WITH TILING. EVEN THE MOST ORDINARY OF TILES CAN IMPRESS IF CREATIVELY LAID, SO COLLABORATE WITH YOUR TILER FOR A LOOK THAT PUSHES BOUNDARIES.…

BETWEEN THE LINES The eye-catching, playful Bookworm shelf, pictured here in Wine Red, is what happens when creativity meets functionality and flexibility. Designed by Ron Arad for Kartell and available in three different lengths, it features sinuous lines and a series of bookend supports, and can take on different shapes without compromising its strength. kartell.com | truedesign.co.za AN ISLAND OF CALM Perfect for offi ces, waiting lounges and contemporary living spaces, O Vulcano by Roberto Semprini for Giovannetti is both comfortable and visually striking. The cool sofa – which features a surprising light source in its central “crater” – is upholstered in a soft fabric, practically begging you to lean back and relax. giovannetticollezioni.it SETTING TRENDS Having convinced fashion followers to add a touch of burgundy to their wardrobe (see page…

JOAO RIBEIRO, DESIGNER AND INTERIOR ARCHITECT My trusty 8m measuring tape and dog-eared Pantone swatch are the unsung heroes of my creative toolkit – but I'd have to move outside the toolbox and settle on my two hands as my ultimate essentials. These, supported by the myriad firing synapses in the brain, open the doors to an endless universe of imagination. For me, sketching an idea or concept on paper is always the starting point for creative magic. Read about how Joao and his talented team at JRD Studio breathed new life into a tired property on page 96. JULIET KAVISHE, WRITER I never leave home without my white Lamy fountain pen. It's my go-to for jotting down ideas, notes and sketches. There's something about the feel of the nib on…

THE FIRST TRIP TO THE COUNTRYSIDE that I can remember wasn't as much an escape as it was a sentence. As a preschooler in suburbia, the wildest places in my world were the open plots of land behind our house in Cape Town's northern suburbs. So, a trip to the fringes of the Klein Karoo to visit my great-grandparents on their small subsistence farm was the scariest thing I'd ever experienced. There was no electricity, you'd had to leave the safety of the house to go to the dark long-drop in the back yard, the milk came from the cow, and the eggs had to be collected from the chicken coop. My great-gran took one look at this pampered little city boy and decided that would be my job: I…

CONTEMPORARY CLASSIC THE BLACK SLINGBACK Blending CONTEMPORARY AND CLASSIC style, sleek black slingbacks are a wardrobe staple. Bring this timeless elegance into your home with a mix of modern and traditional pieces, complemented by architectural details such as cornices. For the perfect palette, opt for calming whites, glossy blacks and metallic accents, and add depth with high-quality wood and marble. MID - CENTURY THE CLASSIC LOAFER Originating in the 1950s, classic loafers – like this stylish version by Sebago – have remained a favourite. Brimming with MID-CENTURY cool, they evoke geometric patterns, a retro-futuristic aesthetic, organic shapes, wood panelling, and colours such as red, orange and olive green, complemented by pops of metal, vinyl and cork. SCANDI MINIMALISM THE BIRKENSTOCK BOSTON The Birkenstock Boston is the minimalist mule style of…

SHE'S A MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEXTILE ARTIST AND SURFACE DESIGNER, an illustrator, an entrepreneur, and the founder of homeware and textile design studio Lulasclan – a brand known for its bold, geometric-patterned, Afro-modern aesthetic. Originally from Rustenburg, Bonolo Chepape was accepted at Wits to study medicine before the world of design got her attention. A trip to Mozambique ignited a passion for patterns and textile design – a talent that was recognised at the 2018 100% Design Africa showcase, when Bonolo was awarded Best Textile Design. From there, a stellar rise has seen MRP Home and H&M collabs, and the start of her own brand. Here is Bonolo's – and Lulasclan's – story. “I started Lulasclan because I was searching for homeware for my new apartment. I struggled to find pieces that…

FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT By Robert McCarter (Phaidon, 2025) A designer so iconic he usually needs no introduction, no matter the company, Frank Lloyd Wright is also very much an architect's architect. In many ways, it's impossible to quantify or explain the worldwide impact and influence of buildings such as Fallingwater or New York's Guggenheim museum, but this fully revised and updated new edition of the definitive book about his work makes a gallant attempt at doing so. It includes 600 illustrations and examines both Wright's major architectural designs and many of his minor projects in detail, with each building's spatial experience, material and tectonic character, and relationship to the landscape explored in detail. Frank Lloyd Wright also includes a complete list of all of Wright's projects, compiled by the Frank…

THE FOLKS AT RENAULT ARE A SMART BUNCH. Historically, French automotive brands have had a strong presence in Africa, but over the last few decades, their popularity has waned. With notions of “chic” and “boutique” replacing “affordability” in their marketing lexicon, the likes of Peugeot and Citroën have become niche players in our market. Not Renault, though. A two-pronged approach has meant a range of affordable models that kept Renault as a popular option in a very tough market. One prong has been to bring in models such as the Triber, the Kwid and the Kiger from the brand's plant in Chennai, India; the other has been to re-badge cars from its Romanian sibling brand, Dacia. Which brings us to the vehicle in these pictures. Known as the Dacia Duster…

THE CENTRAL PASSAGE – A CLEVER PIECE OF DESIGN THAT DOESN'T READ AS A TRADITIONAL INDOOR PASSAGE – ALSO ACTS AS A GALLERY SPACE FOR THE OWNER'S ART COLLECTION. HOW THEY COVER A SONG is a telling indicator of a musician's talent. Think of Johnny Cash's haunting reinterpretation of “Hurt” by Nine Inch Nails, or Jimi Hendrix's rework of Bob Dylan's “All Along the Watchtower”. The songs aren't faithful copies, but in each case the singer has managed that trick of retaining the original's emotional essence while adding a deeper resonance to its meaning. You can still hear the original in there, but the new version gives it greater significance. The story of the song has been added to, making it relevant to a new audience. How an architect renovates…

Get creative with bold colour and bolder patterns for a bathroom that'll inspire and invigorate. Pair wallpaper with the latest tiles (think shaped, patterned or handcrafted), and approach both bravely and playfully. Select colourful tapware and sanitaryware in either gloss or matt finishes to drive home the look.…

WE ASKED YOU ONLINE: HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE 2025 PANTONE COLOUR OF THE YEAR? 408 of you took our poll to let us know. Here are the results: 42% It's nice, but I was rooting for something green 36% Mocha Mousse is perfect – I was hoping for a rich brown! 22% I was expecting something lighter, like a pastel #READERLOVE If you're enjoying the latest issue, we'd love for you to take a pic of your mag and share it with us. Simply tag VISI on Instagram, Facebook or X with your snap. A concept refined, sharp and clear, The Shard of Light stood out this year. At CTFW, we claimed the prize, A nod to thoughtful, modern design. • The Shard of Light won the CTFW x VISI Design…

“NOT ALL THOSE who wander are lost.” Words by JRR Tolkien that perfectly capture the essence of almost every road trip I've taken in South Africa. In 2025, with Google Maps at our fingertips, getting lost is nearly impossible. A less reliable technology? The alarm app. The snooze button is far too tempting, and long after sunrise, I'm scrambling out of bed, shaking my husband awake. “It's eight o'clock, and we're finally on leave. Up, up, up!” Groggy but excited, he drags himself out of bed. While I secure the house, he tackles the real-life Tetris of fitting our mismatched luggage into the car's boot. It's not just clothing for every season, but also South African essentials: a cooler box with meat for the inevitable braai, the grid, a good…

“WHAT DOES SUCCESS LOOK LIKE?” What an eye-rolly phrase. I can tell you the answer right now, though: it looks like Cape Town Furniture Week 2025. Take a bow, organisers Aimée Wolfaardt and Gareth Pearson. After its inaugural low-key start in 2023, CTFW 2024 was a significant jump up in both industry participation and public attendance – but nothing like the leap Gareth and Aimée accomplished this year. Anchored around a central hub with three floors of exhibition space at Church House behind St George's Cathedral, and supported by more than 50 locations within five easily walkable design districts in the city, the four-day CTFW also incorporated a Design Talks programme for the first time. Held across the way from Church House at the newly re-opened Cape Town Club, it…

STÉPHANIE COUTAS, A PARISIAN INTERIOR DESIGNER and decorator, is known for her listening closely to her clients. But what truly sets her apart is her “sixth sense”; an intuition that guides her through every project. “When I look at a space, I ask myself if I'd be happy living there,” she says – and only then does she move forward with her design plans. After spending 15 years in the fashion industry, Stéphanie turned her attention to her true passion: interiors. Now she meticulously oversees every aspect of her projects, from curating art collections and designing custom furniture to selecting the smallest details. Although eclectic, Stéphanie's style can also be described as romantic and plush – she is a connoisseur of clean lines and fine craftsmanship, blending modernity with neoclassical…

THE NEGRONI COCKTAIL DATES BACK TO THE EARLY 1900s, and is believed to have been created in Florence, Italy. Legend has it that Count Camillo Negroni asked a bartender to strengthen his favourite cocktail, the Americano, by replacing the soda water with gin. The resulting drink quickly became a classic. WHAT RORY SAYS “A Negroni is a mix of gin, Campari and sweet vermouth that has become a staple worldwide. A versatile cocktail with three ingredients you can easily tweak, the perfect Negroni isn't made up of equal parts of each. “Most people don't love it on the first sip – that initial step can be a big hurdle. It was for me. But those who try again often come around. The Negroni evolves with dilution, and I think people…

IT MAY HAVE OFTEN BEEN OVERLOOKED in global discussions of architectural Modernism, but African Modernism represents a fascinating intersection of international design principles with indigenous sensibilities and post-colonial aspirations. Post-independence nation-building For newly independent African nations, architecture became a powerful tool of nation-building. Leaders such as Ghana's Kwame Nkrumah, Senegal's Léopold Sédar Senghor and Tanzania's Julius Nyerere understood that the built environment could embody their political vision and symbolise a break from the colonial past. Nkrumah, for example, believed in a “New Africa”, free from imperialism, drawing strength from both modern science and traditional African beliefs. He envisioned a modernised Africa, but one that preserved its cultural identity, and he captured the dual ambition of this architectural movement – to be both resolutely forward-looking and authentically African. Ghana gained independence…

ARCHITECT KATE DEL FANTE WILL BE THE FIRST TO TELL YOU: she's unapologetically contemporary, favouring a minimalist aesthetic over an ornate one any day of the week. “It's a style that celebrates the sculptural aspects of architecture,” she explains. “Materials are pared back to one or two elements, so that you enjoy the space and the form of the building.” While the stripped-down sophistication of contemporary architecture might not scream child-friendly, Kate's clearly defined aesthetic doesn't come at the expense of liveability and fun – which has secured her a dedicated family fanbase. Case in point: the three-kid clan who tasked Kate with a sprawling three-storey villa on a forested hill in the sought-after suburb of Bishopscourt. The brief? To modernise the existing Mid-century residence into a contemporary home that…

MARBLE, TRAVERTINE AND OTHER FORMS OF NATURAL STONE ARE KEY TO A SUCCESSFUL SANCTUARY-LIKE BATHROOM – THEIR NUANCED COLOURS AND TEXTURES ARE EVOCATIVE OF CALMING NATURAL ENVIRONMENTS.…