By Rami Moorosi, Project Consultant Monique Rankine, Photography Barend Roberts
Following the trend of revamping of and alterations to existing houses, the owners of this home enlisted the expertise of Nico van der Meulen Architects for a modern upgrade. “They liked the current trend in our work towards a mix of steel construction and concrete framing,” explains Nico van der Meulen of Nico van der Meulen Architects.
The new design was achieved by taking out most of the internal walls on the ground floor and adding a porte cochere and a new lanai with an infinity edge pool. The impressive porte cochere is suspended from a semi-circular beam supported by the bisecting wall and a huge column and transfer beam over the pool.
The element of water was added into the design with a koi pond to the north side of the existing lounge, with glass stepping stones that lead to a new pivoted glass front door.
A small waterfall at the front door adds the welcoming sound of water, while a huge sheet of water is visible through a cut-out in the massive rusted steel wall bisecting the house to create a private pool area.
“We created the north wall of the family room with frameless sliding/folding doors to allow the kitchen, dining and family rooms to merge seamlessly into the lanai, creating a dream space for entertaining,” explains Nico. The roof of the family room was also lifted to create a double-volume space with huge north-facing windows that flood the living space and kitchen with light and sun in winter. There is also a mentis grating catwalk that leads from the upstairs study to the deck over the lanai for extra entertainment spaces, with spectacular views.
The children’s and guest bedroom suites have their own lounge as well as a gymnasium on the first floor, with an open-plan space for a study/pyjama lounge, overlooking the double-volume family room and the vista.
The remarkable main bedroom suite is nearly 120m2, and is situated against the mountain and nearly two storeys above the first floor with a view of the Magaliesburg Mountains. This area comprises a private lounge, study area, main bedroom, open-plan bathroom and spacious walk-in cupboard.
Adding to the creativity of the design is the old Acacia tree in the courtyard that was incorporated into the architecture to create a tree-house feel and is now between the existing house and the new main suite.
M Square Lifestyle Necessities decorated the interiors using a palette of monochromatic colours with the interior furnishings in similar and contrasting colours. Accents of green were used sparingly to add fresh splashes of colour. The modern lines of the furniture are a continuation of the interior structural lines. As the structural interior elements are simple with sharp lines, attention is brought to the furniture pieces and decorative items within the interior.
The combination of orderly, open and empty spaces and fairly comprehensive living areas create a delicate balance of minimalism and complexity. This is coupled with the exquisite detailing and furniture from M Square Lifestyle Necessities and the impressive creation of Nico van der Meulen Architects.
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