A hundred years ago, Mohandas “Mahatma” Gandhi lived for a year in a house called The Kraal, built by German architect Hermann Kallenbach. French company Voyageurs du Monde overhauled the property a couple of years ago, creating a guesthouse/museum called Satyagraha House. Johannesburg architect Rocco Bosman oversaw the renovations and the construction of the new guesthouses, while Christine Puech and Amit Zadok of Voyageurs du Monde designed the interiors. With yoga masters on call, a vegetarian menu, and no WiFi or alcohol, an ascetic Ghandi-like experience is guaranteed. For more information, go to The Satyagraha House.
Photographs via The Satyagraha House unless otherwise noted.
Above: After extensive restoration, the original 1907 thatched roof rondavel (hut) has been turned into a museum dedicated to Gandhi and his philosophy.
Above: A breezeway with black rattan chairs and charpoy.
Above: The original house opens onto a dining pavilion. Photo by Elsa Young via House and Leisure.
Above: Framed correspondence from Gandhi and photos are on display throughout the interiors.
Above: The designers commissioned white khadi cotton lamps from Mark Schooley (see Alexa’s DIY: Koushi Lamp). Photo by Elsa Young via House and Leisure.
Above: A simple reading area. Photo by Elsa Young via House and Leisure.
Above: Curtains made of cotton dhotis in a bedroom.
Above: The bathrooms adhere to a black and white color palette. Photo via Styles de Bain.
Above: Photo via Styles de Bain.
Above: Ceiling fans keep the bedrooms cool.
Above: The bedrooms adhere to a strict black and white palette. Photo by Elsa Young via House and Leisure.
Above: Photo via Styles de Bain.
Above: Photo via Styles de Bain.
Above: An ebonized charpoy in a guest room. Photo by Elsa Young via House and Leisure.
Above: A yoga studio opens to the outdoors.
Above: A modern addition houses guestrooms. Photo by Elsa Young via House and Leisure.
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