Property Details
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The house has been designed with a modern interpretation of light, space, context, and material finishes. Although it fits within a genre it is not a stylistic interpretation. Rather, it draws from information and features inherent to the site. This approach also limits the effect of the dating of buildings (1990's Tuscan, late 90's Bali, etc). These stylistic responses seem trendy for the time but quickly fade as the fashion cools. This design approach is led by the features of the site. The result is that its qualities are always relevant as they respond to a constant context.
The salient features of the site:
The site has spectacular west-facing views down the Sesmylspruit valley and over Smut's Koppie - a historical landmark. The hydrology falls sharply towards the northwest. The top half of the site, leading from Hennops Road, has spectacular indigenous vegetation in relatively good shape. The veld and trees are close to pristine. The soil substrate is degraded chert rubble over dolomite rock formations (as can be found throughout the southwestern part of Pretoria, including Centurion and up to Delmas). The geotechnical results for construction are typical of shallow dolomite formations. That is to say, these rock formations are often quite weathered and not suitable for construction footings. An approved footprint for construction was confirmed on the lower half of the property. This means that access, both pedestrian and vehicular must traverse this top half and enter the structure as close to the footprint as possible. We have calculated a route that will manage a reasonable gradient (120m with approximately 15m fall or a 1:8 gradient). This then suggests the position of the garage and limited guest parking. This might seem like an odd place to begin a design but one must remember this is the first daily transition with the site in a modern lifestyle - we enter the site and exit the site with our vehicles (predominantly). The driveway is mostly informed by topographical features, but the experience is meant to offer only glimpses of the spectacular views. This surprise would be experienced more fully upon entrance to the house.
The garage is suitable for three vehicles. Towards the southwestern corner of the garage, there is a storeroom which we propose to have a timber floor. This can then be removed and a lift that services three floors can be fitted. Storage shelves along the full length of the west wall can service storage needs. From this contact point, we transition into the house through the garage (private) or a modest front door (public). To the right of the entrance, there is a cloakroom. Directly ahead, through the glazing at the staircase is the full view down the valley. A few steps down would bring us to the landing on the first floor. Continuing down the staircase would lead us to the public floors. To the left are the junior en-suite bedrooms and to the right is the main suite. There are alcoves for a mirror and other display features and a closet for storage. Down the junior bedroom passage, there are storage cupboards between the two floors (garage floor and passage. Behind these cupboards and opening from the study space is the electrical plant space with conduit from the garage roof for solar panels). This passage space is tall with high windows on the eastern side that will make dramatic displays throughout the day. The passage ends in a closet for storage. If a lift is installed then this closet would be sacrificed for access to this floor. Off the passage are two generous junior en-suite bedrooms. They easily accommodate double beds. Cupboards are comfortable at 2,8m per bedroom. The en-suite bathrooms are compact, without being cramped, with a toilet, vanity, and shower each. These rooms lead onto private balconies that, with their elevation, present unobstructed views. Each of the bedrooms has large, double-glazed sliding doors with sidelights for ventilation when doors are closed. Ceilings are high presenting excellent volume and a sense of space. Down the passage, north, one enters the main bedroom. Large double glazed facades east and west offer up views into the koppie and the indigenous vegetation and animal life and also west down the valley. This suite houses the bed, a small lounge, dressing area, and a full bathroom. The bath floats on the northern facade in a glass box. Plantation-style shutters will control privacy and climate. The suite is generous, accommodating the largest bedroom suites and besides looking into the koppie, it offers great views off its balcony on the west.
The lower floor has a large, high ceilinged living room, guest toilet, study/gymnasium, and an open plan kitchen, laundry, scullery, dining, and tv lounge. The scullery leads onto the kitchen courtyard on the southern side, which also gives access to the staff quarters and bathroom. All these spaces also have large double-glazed orientations looking down the valley. The elevation means that one is well above any visual obstructions from the houses below. Space for a future lift would come down between the dining area and the scullery area. These living rooms lead down a staircase to the pool deck level with outdoor entertainment spaces, a 12m pool, and a fire pit. The facades offer maximum views with a high degree of thermal climate control maintained in the fenestration specification. These glass facades are designed to appear as if they are floating off the ground with the setback of the plinth. This also provides more space for the outdoor areas. The layout draws from the height and fall that is manifest at the entry and exit points dictated by the site. Cuts and fills are never an exact science as the rock formations under the surface are unknown until they are exposed, but the fills are measured to be serviced by the cuts and by rubble accrued through the building process. Servicing is managed through strategic ducts to eliminate unsightly pipes and water from the steel roof can be collected for re-use through the same.
The design is developed around requirements, features, and limitations created by the unique location and the exceptional site. This makes the project a unique product in a unique setting.