South African designer Porky Hefer has completed his first house as a secluded nest in the Namib desert in Southern Africa. Called The Nest, the thatched-looking home is a completely off the grid, hand-made, hand-crafted, organic home exploring local materials and local techniques. 

The designer is inspired by the nests of the sociable weaver that dot the landscape. Designed for conservationsit Swen Bachran, the new house is situated on the Namib Tsaris Conservancy near to Sesriem in Namibia.

Hefer's new design can be conceived as an upscaled version of his furniture design series. Hefer focuses on conceptual designs, which manifest in three dimensional forms in a variety of executions, from public sculpture to product and furniture design. 

The designer embraces Africa and the skills that are readily available indigenously, rather than trying to emulate foreign processes.

Situated 125km away from the nearest town, the nest is entirely disappearing within the landscape since the house is built from locally sourced reed roofs and walls are clad onto a steel inner structure. The walls of the home are made from handmade bricks clad with granite from the site. 

Local Kiaat hardwood was used for furniture, cabinetry and cladding and teak for the floors. The interior designs were realized by Yelda Bayraktar and Maybe Corpaci.

The thatched roof is supported by a steel frame and stone walls and the building was completed in five years and fully funded by Swen Bachran. 

All images © Katinka Bester, courtesy of Porky Hefer

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