Written by: Nelize Ernst
Driving around the semi-forest roads of Newlands – Cape Town, you will discover a magical place famously known as The Montebello Design Centre, located in the farm buildings on the historic site of Montebello. The buildings and land have an interesting history, being the birth place of Ohlssons Brewery and Continental China.
From the moment you enter the gates, a feeling of relaxation takes over followed by awe and inspiration. Beautiful tall trees cover the land which creates a real countryside feel, right in the middle of the suburbs. It’s the perfect space to visit for an instant recharge and you can even bring your four-legged friend along for an afternoon of interesting smells and exploration.
The Montebello centre is a non-profit organisation promoting job creation through craft, art and local design. Here you will find the most amazing arts and craft studios (where you can also attend various classes), an historic greenhouse and nursery, a forge and a delectable restaurant with an organic deli attached to it.
Eco friendly practices, biodiversity, sustainability and environmental protection is the main focus here. Their vision is to create design solutions for Africa where the main goal of design is to enhance the value of life by respecting the environment as well as cultural and social diversity. Their aim is to promote good local craft and design while using the staffs skills for further job creation.
Most of the activities take place at the centre and the staff and studio occupants run the various training courses. Staff members have a considerable amount of skill and creativity in design and craft, which is used to further the centre’s objectives by creating opportunities for apprenticeships, teaching and training courses, as well as their outreach program; PROD (product design, research and opportunity development) which is a project run as part of Montebello Design Centre’s mandate to promote local craft and design.
I had the pleasure to meet Jabulani, one of the artists at Right Sculptures, a Wood Art Studio. What an amazing person he was, watching him carefully as he carved and shaped his sculpture. His journey started about four years ago when he moved to Cape Town and found happiness, right here at the centre. His face was filled with smiles as he told his story.
The highlight of the visit was definitely the historic greenhouse. It’s a tiny piece of heaven where you walk around and absorb the surrounding beauty. They have a remarkable selection of plants, my favourites being the purple chilies and Venus fly trap. There is also some intriguing garden furniture made from wrought iron as well as sandstone tables and handmade wattle fencing and trellises.
We need more places like this – in and around our cities and suburbs; it’s good for the soul and great for the environment!
The liveeco team
