Desert Structures in Rock and Glass

A few Strange Structures I've seen in the Desert:


This colourful shelter stands alongside the gravel road, a few kilometres north of the tiny outpost at Solitaire.

I love the bright Earthy colours against the desert pastels.


Although it does not look neglected, I've never seen any sign of life there and wonder who constructed it and why.

Perhaps someone built it as a holiday home, an escape, or perhaps it was built as accommodation for travellers - I'll try to find out when I'm next in the area.


What makes this structure unusual is that it has been built using glass bottles laid flat into the walls - there's even a giant bottle perched on the little 'tower' on the roof.

I'd love to stand inside and see what the effect is with light entering through the bottles.


I've been watching the lack of progress in the building of this solitary rock house for almost ten years now.

It stands besides the main highway between Keetmanshoop and Goageb, close to the Fish River Bridge.

When I first encountered it it was not covered and about five years ago a thatched roof suddenly appeared - nothing else has happened since then.


Again, I must wonder at the purpose of the structure, stuck uncompleted in the middle of nowhere.

What I find charming about this double-storey house, (besides that it's built of rock), is that the walls are not exactly straight, they seem to blossom outwards slightly towards the top.


The the 'Le Mirage Desert Lodge And Spa' close to Sossusvlei.

When I first saw these buildings they offended my eye.

It's not that they're unattractive or clash much with the environment - I think I was upset, (after travelling through miles of 'free' space), at the realisation that even the Desert is 'owned' ...

- or perhaps I was just a grumpy old man that day.

A closer look at Le Mirage's guest rooms - soft earthy colours with rocks built into the wall over the windows.

What I like most though, is that the structure isn't regular - no straight lines, but not wacky either.

I can't afford to take a look at the insides of the rooms ...


This approximately 12m tall Rock Tower stands close to the road between Ariamsvlei and Karasburg. The walls are absolutely straight - that takes some skill on a round building.

This is what I first fantasised about for the en suite bathroom of the house, complete with Sunset Jacuzzi on top - thank heavens I came to my senses.

I was told by a Karasburg resident that the farmer had built it as a Watch Tower to deter game poachers - quite a few farmers in Namibia build smaller watch towers.


I love the contrasts in this derelict building in the middle of nowhere - it would make a great subject at sunrise or set, or after it's rained.

If only walls could talk - What possessed someone to live in such isolation so long ago?

It's like a Sandcastle returning to the Earth.


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