Hendre Bloem on Designing the Oranjezicht City Farm Market in Cape Town

Defined by clean lines, material honesty and meticulous attention to detail, Hendre Bloem’s work speaks to a refined, contemporary vision of luxury. Through Hendre Bloem Interior Design, spaces are created as both striking and quietly resolved, shaped as much by context and collaboration as by aesthetic intent.

It is this considered approach that informed his work on the Oranjezicht City Farm Market at Cape Town’s Granger Bay, where design meets community in a setting rich with local character.

What was your vision for a space as vibrant and community-driven as the Oranjezicht City Farm Market?

HB: From the outset, the priority was preserving the market’s sense of local belonging. It has become an institution cherished by Cape Town residents and embraced by international visitors. Having grown up on a farm myself, the project stirred a deep sense of nostalgia. I wanted to celebrate the idea of “farm” in an authentic yet unconventional way, layering textures like clay, mud, timber, straw, woodchip and steel. These materials are deeply rooted in agricultural life, and here they’re elevated into a refined architectural expression.

How does the design reflect Cape Town and the Granger Bay setting?

HB: The Granger Bay Precinct is in transition, and even this iteration of the market is temporary. That impermanence informed my approach. StudioMas created a beautiful timber-framed shell, and I chose to emphasise and elaborate on that structure. Timber defines roughly 80% of the interventions we added, creating warmth, rhythm and architectural presence, something the previous site lacked.

Sustainability is central to Oranjezicht. How did that influence your choices?

HB: Sustainability guided both material selection and construction. The building sits atop an existing car park, which posed weight limitations. We worked with low-weight OSB drywalling, pine frame structures and locally sourced materials such as Klompie clay bricks. Woodchip flooring and integrated landscaping by CNDV soften the structure, transforming it into a green haven. I also introduced architectural frameworks that allow plants to grow into the space, ensuring nature remains present and visible.

How do you balance aesthetics with functionality in such a high-traffic environment?

HB: Durability is essential. The market welcomes thousands of visitors on operating days, so every finish and joinery detail had to be robust and maintainable. Breezeblocks, for example, serve as counter bases, hidden storage and textural features simultaneously. Solid timber joinery ensures longevity and flexibility while maintaining cohesion with the architectural language.

What do you hope visitors experience?

HB: Above all, a sense of belonging. The design should never overpower the people behind the market – the farmers, traders, chefs and founders. It is a supporting layer, evolving with each season. For me, good design is never static; it grows, adapts, and quietly enhances the experience rather than competing with it.

Spotlight: Professional Interior Designer, Stylist and Consultant

Hendre Bloem is a professional interior designer, stylist and consultant. Through Hendre Bloem Interior Design, he has established a studio recognised as a frontrunner in both local and international markets. The practice is defined by personalised client solutions, dedicated individual attention throughout each project and a highly considered, one-on-one service approach.

By staying attuned to local and global design trends, Hendre identifies innovative ideas and translates them into carefully resolved spaces. His forward-thinking perspective results in interiors that are contemporary yet timeless. Central to the studio’s philosophy is the creation of bespoke concepts, where the relationship between designer and client is paramount, resulting in beautiful, distinctive interiors and enduring professional relationships.

The studio offers a comprehensive interior design and styling service, ranging from full interior design and architectural concepts to lighting design, customised product development and industrial design. Hendre Bloem Interior Design has completed projects across South Africa, including Durban, Umhlanga, Johannesburg, Sandton, Pretoria and Cape Town, as well as internationally in Germany, Hong Kong, the United States and Angola.