Integrating Landscape and Architecture- Indoors and outdoors, the project allows for the activation of an existing backyard as a space for socializing, cooking, dining, gardening and relaxation.
The project brief was to use locally sourced natural and recycled materials where possible. E.g. straw which was used for thermal insulation, re used shutter planks and boards combined with galvanised corrugated roofing sheets as cladding. Finishes had to be maintenance free. Rain water and sun energy harvesting; a low-tech bio-filtered grey water system and bottled gas achieved a low cost and sustainable off-the-grid residence. Budget was minimal and limited local skills necessitated an innovative ‘ structural frame farm shed’ approach to construction.
With the site corner terminating at an awkward angle, this was the only area of the property which wasn’t commercialised. The brief was to build something compact and cost effective, in a very short amount of time. This is when the concept of using containers became a seriously viable option. The containers were delivered to site, and we had a watertight working shell within three weeks. The configuration and compactness of the design also meant that only 2 rentable parking bays where lost. The total project cost just over R500000 and the was completed within 3 months, making it an incredible profitable development for the owner.
Designed to fit onto small steeply sloped site and in a nature conservation area, the small two bed-roomed house had to adhere to strict height restrictions and building guidelines. Cut and fill was minimized, topsoil stockpiled and the natural vegetation restored once completed. Excavated stone was re-used as dry-stacked retaining walls Despite its relatively small size, the well designed open plan flowing living spaces; generous internal heights and large windows and sliding doors create a sense of spaciousness, uninterrupted indoor outdoor living whilst maximising views of the ocean frontage. The unique roof design allows for rainwater harvesting, with large fireplaces, gas and solar panels minimising reliance on the grid.
The original house was one of the earlier structures built in Parkhurst in the 1930’s. It was in a shocking condition and it had a 100 sqm training pool which consumed the entire northern garden space. As a result, it was necessary to gut the existing house down to its bare structure, after getting Heritage PHRAG approval. The brief was to work within the existing rectangular structure, with the patio and guest toilet being the only additions. Landscaping, private courtyard spaces and natural light/ventilation where key design generators. The result is a comfortable modern home with a simple open plan flow, connecting indoor with outdoor living, which performs well in its Jo’burg climate.
With a spectacular north facing view of table mountain, the clients primary brief was to maximize the vistas of the mountain. Secondary to that, was to take advantage of the northern orientation and modernising the existing very dated house by making circulation more open plan and the installation of new finishes.
This project was initiated as an investment opportunity for the developers, Skyhigh Developments, who had access to the 1250 sqm stand in Edenvale. The property was sub-divided into 5 individual 250 sqm stands which would then accommodate full title clusters with a small body corporate managing the development. The brief was to design 170 - 200 sqm contemporary units on a very limited building budget of R6500/sqm. Space limitations where also of concern, due to 5 units being required, as opposed to 4, to make the development financially feasible.
The brief for this project was simply to bring the nature from outside - in, in order to do the spectacular garden justice. One of the key design generators for the new patio and facade was to use very free-flowing organic shapes and lines, which mimicked a series of rock pools, streams and koi ponds which flow around the perimeter of the property. Another design consideration was to create a “tree canopy” for the new patio in order to create a natural transitional space between outside and inside. This was achieved by closing in the “organic slab” with full height stacking doors which help expose different sized round skylights as the voids in the canopy and the angled steel structural posts as the trees supporting the canopy. Up lighters placed on the floor between the posts, down lighters scattered erratically throughout the slab soffit and a living garden above the slab help reinforce this concept.
The project was designed to overcome unstable soil conditions, a sloped site, a high water table, occasional flooding ,a lack of local building skills, a tight budget and time constraints. Despite its relatively small size, the uninterrupted layout facilitates a laid-back lifestyle with its generous covered veranda, indoor living- dining- kitchen spaces which invites year round social interaction. The splendid surrounding views are maximized with vertical and horizontal glazing , ensuring a sense of connection with nature. The architectural language makes references to the traditional vernacular forms and materials, whilst raw fiber cement clapboard cladding ensures low maintenance.
A typical small dark and dingy post-war Parkhurst house which was in a shocking condition. Despite its size, the objective was to create the feeling of spaciousness, and to maximize socialising opportunities through adaptive spaces. Internal demolitions and conversions in combination with ‘clipped on’ additions achieved a seamless open plan indoor- outdoor living area with layers of privacy. Its an all weather house catering for every mood and occasion. A perfect space to escape to called ‘home’.
A retired Dutch couple bought a piece of unspoiled nature in a protected area of the Maluti Mountains of the Eastern Free State. ‘Touching the Earth Lightly’ required a light weight steel frame structure without any heavy concrete or brick and mortar structures. The mono pitch roof opens up to maximise the northern light and landscape views whilst collecting rainwater. Greywater is and purified through a bio-filer and collected again in a catchment pond for landscaping purposes. Drinking water is collected from nearby Spring. ‘Off-the-grid’ is completed through solar panels tucked out of sight. Sandstone harvested from an old cattle kraal adds tectonic and textured elements and contextual references. Internally, locally sourced timber adds a natural and warm floor finish. A no-maintenance and very cost effective walling system of a modular external fibre-cement panels system, with high density eco-friendly thermal insulation and plasterboard cladding was designed. This allowed for a lightweight, recyclable home with high thermal efficiency which is best suited for the extremely cold winter periods.
This large home epitomises urban living on a small stand situated within a security complex, which necessitated the vertical stacking of spaces. Upper levels facilitates four private bedroom- study, en-suite areas, whilst the entrance level is dedicated to social open plan but interconnected and layered spaces which all lead out onto a large outdoor pool deck area. Lower levels accommodate four garages, a cinema and a separate guest bedroom area. Staircase wells become celebrated spaces with large glazed areas to maximise selected views and natural light.
The Botswana International University of Science and Technology is located on an expansive and ecologically diverse 2,500 hectare site of gently sloping land in the Tswapong Hills. Our conceptual response allows for the building to become an integrated extension of the natural topography. Set within- and continuing the landscape which it frames, it touches the earth lightly through elevated terracing. Architecturally it contains the ‘koppie’, integrating external with internal learning and observation. The building itself becomes an object of teaching and learning. Building form and plan reflects an appropriate response to the climatic and green energy principles. Narrow, elongated plan layouts allow for effective cross ventilation. Light wells allow for the best possible natural day lighting. Fenestration, material massing and responsive facades allows for effective passive thermal control. Solar panels and rainwater harvesting continues the theme of self sufficiency. The proposal speaks of continuity, sculptural joy and a more sustainable future focusing on a library environment which is most suitable for learning, interaction and research.
The brief for this renovation was to modernise the existing dwelling and to open up the transition between inside and outside, by creating an open-plan living space with large north facing (garden) openings and the focal point being the kitchen. A courtyard was created next to the new open kitchen, to accommodate the vegetable gardens and to provide an private breakfast nook. The new angular “lounge block” was designed with approach and landscaping lines in mind and the angled facade helped with hiding the security screen and stacking door when in the open positions. New finishes where used throughout for a very integrated and complete renovation. Security was also of key importance, so a combination of elegant american shutters and electronic roller-shutters where used throughout the house, in a manner that did not detract from the “new openness” and contemporary design which had been created.
With an existing house which had suffered extensive damage through settlement over 50 years, demolition was the only option. With the main design feature of the new house, being the voluminous open plan central space with raked ceilings and a 13m linear skylight, the construction challenge was always going to be creating this space with an unsupported 13m roof ridge within a very small working environment. A 400mm deep 1.5 ton steel I-beam was used to span the 13m distance and 6m high reinforce concrete columns cast into the 330mm gable walls where required in order to support this beam. Another construction challenge was the houses insulation specification and the installation of high-tech sustainability components. Double glazing (with performance glass on all west facing windows) was used throughout, all roof assemblies had a double layered insulation system with a combined R-value of 4.2 and all screeds where cast with prealite insulating fibres replacing the river sand in order to insulate the floor plane as well. All rain water is channeled into a series of sumps throughout the property, where it is collected into a central sump and pumped into the storage tanks. From the tanks, the water is processed through a filtration and purification system and fed directly into the house. The municipal connection feeds directly into the tanks, required only when the tank level drops below 25%. A grey water recycling system has been installed which then feeds the recycled water into the irrigation system. A 15kw off-the-grid solar system has been installed with 50 photo-voltaic panels installed on north, east and west facing roofs for a very effective “plateaued” power production output.
The 1909 heritage manor home is situated on the ridge which forms part of the Upper Houghton Conservation Area. Abandoned and in a derelict state, the challenge was to not only renovate but to reconfigure internal spaces to suit more contemporary living. Outbuildings and the existing east and west wings were converted into self contained living units. This allows for tenant income generation and is in keeping with the trend towards social co-housing. In keeping with sustainability principles, the driveway was converted into an edible garden- supplying the households with fresh vegetables. Grey water is diverted into landscape areas. Gas is used for cooking and heating. The existing pool was converted into an eco-pool and meditation area which requires no chemicals or extensive maintenance. Fruit trees, grapevines, worm farms, composting and recycling areas continue the theme of self sufficiency and treading ‘more lightly on the earth .
Situated on the edge of the Northcliff ridge, the site affords spectacular views over Johannesburg. This dictated the design response of the building as a 260 degree view-place suspended on a cliff edge halfway between earth and sky. Deliberately ‘anti-theme’, the architectural language is one of a well proportioned, quiet and timeless minimalism. Passive energy principles such as natural- day-lighting and ventilation, rainwater harvesting, indigenous living walls, solar energy and thermal controls guide the massing and planning layout of this multi-functional boutique hotel. A disciplined materials palette of lightly pigmented off-shutter concrete echoes the colors of the sandstone cliffs. Voluminous internal public spaces connecting internal with external contribute further to a unique visitor sensation of views and spatial generosity as being privileged.
The design challenge with this project was always going to be completing the required scope of work within the provided project budget. The scope of work was very extensive with the existing house requiring a complete overhaul , due to it being in such bad condition and the budget was very limited considering the amount of work required. We really had to work outside of the box, with this brief, in order to complete a comprehensive and well executed project, considering the projects 2 main constraints.
There where 2 major design generators which where influenced by the site constraints, for this project. The site is set in the picturesque Roma Park residential development in Lusaka, Zambia. The site is rectangular in shape and it has a very steep gradient which falls in a north westerly direction, overlooking a beautiful river and ravine. One has to take advantage of these vistas, but also consider the westerly orientation with regards to sun angles and solar heat gains.
