Self Building In South Africa

Tanja and Brevan Robinson's discovery of a sheltered plot of land on the slopes of Table Mountain in Cape Town was the start of a difficult three years building their magnificent family home.

'Our first home together was a beautiful old Victorian house in Oranjezicht,' explains Tanja Robinson. 'It was stunning and we'd worked hard renovating it, but it was very, very windy - something you have to get used to in Cape Town.' However, on a chance walk along a different route with their golden retriever Moya (aptly the Xhosa word for wind), Tanja discovered what was to become her new home. Nestled away in the Higgovale area, just four roads from where they were living, the weather was completely still, even when it was blowing a gale at their current home.

The Robinsons love entertaining and Tanja also holds wine-tasting events at home as part of her export business, so open-plan living is ideal.

Stunned by the stillness of this protected area, Tanja spoke to an estate agent friend who lived nearby and expressed her delight at finding the quiet location. She was amazed to be told that there was a plot of land available and, although pregnant with twins and looking forward to an easy move into a ready-made house, Tanja and husband Brevan felt they just couldn't pass up the opportunity to live in such an ideal spot. Initially the plot didn't even include the driveway or garage, but they put in an offer anyway and, after a bit of negotiating, the deal was sealed and the hard work could start.