Manor House

1990
Durban

Team: Ivor Daniel, Peter Butler

Manor House, originally built in 1905 by Sir Liege Hulett, was renovated and converted into corporate offices as part of an effort to preserve the historic building from eventual demolition. The project sought to retain the architectural dignity and historical significance of the residence while adapting it to meet the functional requirements of contemporary commercial use.

The building had undergone numerous unsympathetic alterations over time, including enclosed verandahs and various additions that obscured the clarity and proportion of the original design. The challenge was to reverse these interventions while accommodating modern office requirements and maximising usable commercial space without compromising the integrity of the heritage structure.

The restoration focused on carefully stripping away later additions to reveal the original architectural form and spatial qualities of the house. Timber and glazed screens were reintroduced within verandah arches, while new interventions were deliberately restrained and sensitively integrated to support the building’s new corporate function. Each addition was designed to complement rather than imitate the historic fabric.

The completed project preserved the grandeur and identity of Manor House while securing its continued use and relevance. Through careful restoration and adaptive reuse, the building was transformed into a functional corporate environment that safeguards an important part of Durban’s architectural heritage.