Say the architects: ‘The client requested a 21st century home large enough to accommodate his family, while capitalising on the views from its location high up on a ridge; a swimming pool was to be an integral part of the design. Other prerequisites included garaging for at least four cars and increased staff accommodation – all of which were to be added to the existing footprint.

‘To achieve this we used as much as possible of that footprint, but had to extend it to incorporate the garage area and lanai. The new pool occupies the only area of garden on the same level as the house on the north side of the property, but even so it had to be cantilevered about six metres. The pool penetrates the interior, with frameless sliding / folding doors enclosing it in this area.’

The vistas encompass almost 270 degrees, but the most dramatic view is towards the Johannesburg skyline to the west, which entailed finding ways of controlling the heat gain from this direction. To achieve this, the architects used sliding shutters, roll-up sun screens and sun control fins.

Inspirations for the finishes of the new structure evolved from the original renderings of red panels against rock-clad walling, plus various shades of grey, and the client decided to stay with this signature. But a decision was taken early in the design process that there should be a visible transparency when approaching the house, in achieving this the architects were able to reveal the optimum views.

November/December 2011 Issue

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