Last month, readers were introduced to the global work of architect Don Albert and his vision for how rural South Africa can grow sustainably without losing its unique character. This month, we bring the conversation closer to home. Albert’s practice, Sound Space Design, is turning its attention to the Western Cape, where a new wave of tourism is reshaping small towns.
In Piketberg, Albert is spearheading the development of a boutique “micro-hotel” — a project that reimagines hospitality for the post-AirBNB era. While major cities across the world struggle with the downsides of over-tourism and housing shortages, rural South Africa has a chance to chart a different course.
“Short-term rentals have transformed travel,” Albert explains. “They allow quick, affordable bookings, but they’ve also led to oversupply and a kind of anonymity. The key-under-the-mat experience just doesn’t build connections.” Instead, he sees a gap in the market: “the missing middle” where visitors enjoy local food, warm hospitality, and cultural exchange — not sterile stays.
In South Africa’s platteland, that personal touch has always been part of the charm. Today’s trends — adventure tourism, wellness retreats, and immersive cultural experiences — demand a higher staff-to-guest ratio. “That’s where employment comes in,” Albert notes. “Full-service hotels are desirable again as social spaces for guest interaction and the life of towns.”
The model has economic benefits too. With farming increasingly automated and droughts threatening traditional livelihoods, hospitality offers farming families a way to diversify. By blending tourism with agriculture, communities can sustain younger generations and keep small towns vibrant. “This is what will keep young people in rural towns and maintain their vitality over the long term,” says Albert, “which is so important for our heritage, and the diversity of South Africa’s tourism offering.”
For Albert, it’s not just about building hotels, but about weaving tourism into the social fabric. “Rural South Africa is rich in heritage and culture. By designing spaces that welcome visitors while sustaining communities, we protect that heritage and share it with the world.”
For more information visit www.soundspacedesign.com