6 minute read
House with a view
Location: Architect: Structural Engineer: Contractor:
Lanseria, Gauteng Veld Architects Joe Rutkiewicz Consulting Engineers du Plessis & Lombaard Building Projects
This is a contemporary farm-style dwelling, located in the grassland surrounds of Johannesburg. The arresting minimalist integrity of the glass curtain around its steel structure is inspired by mid-20th Century modern architecture and found a platform for expression with its chief objective to capitalise on the beauty of the natural surrounds.
Elsa Young & Elske Kritzinger Simoné du Plessis, Veld Architects
From the first visit to the site, which forms part of the Rhenoster Spruit Conservancy, it was evident that the main design generator should be the natural environment and the context to which the new building needed to become a part of. In nature, living organisms have developed well-adapted structures and materials over time and this provided ample inspiration in terms of natural designs and processes that could be applied to the architecture as well as materials and construction methods for the building.
Despite the pervading sense of contemporary architecture sophistication which is cemented immediately at the entry by a cantilevered concrete slab, the interior balances at intervals with the mirth and whimsy of curiouslysuspended light fittings, jolts of vibrant colour and seemingly incongruous items to create a flow throughout.
Instead of public performance and activities in an urban context, the focus was on creating a space where the daily performance of raising and growing a family can happen naturally. Open plan living spaces allow for meaningful interactions between family members, whereas welldefined transitions into private spaces of the house facilitates where the self can grow and be nurtured. The threshold between nature and architecture is blurred with indigenous courtyards and living areas that open up to the surrounding natural splendour and invite it in.
A 14-metre-long open plan living area, at the centre of the house, separates the office space from the bedroom wing. The open plan layout which hosts a lounge, dining area as well as the kitchen, lends itself to multi-functionality and can be adapted into different use of spaces as the occupants require change.
Enclosed on either elevation by wall-to-wall retractable glass sliding doors, the open plan layout also encourages blurred lines between indoors and outdoors, with one side framing the main entrance courtyard with a glimpse of the vegetable garden patch, and the other capturing fields of grazing Nguni cows and panoramic views of the distant Magaliesberg Mountains.
On the periphery of the open plan area lies the kitchen which successfully materialises the vision of continuing the architectural language of the house. Custom designed cabinetry’s handles which were manufactured from recycled steel window frames are designed to reference the profiles of the house’s I-beam and H-beam structural framework. Another connection sees the glow of the kiaat cupboards and copper detailing echoing the tones of the rusted steel panelling on the exterior rusted steel feature wall adjacent.
The conversation between the context and the building reaches its pinnacle at the main entrance of the building that is defined by a projecting rammed earth wall 16 metres in length and 3.5m in height. The construction involved temporary formwork in the shape of the desired wall with compacted layers of soil, excavated from the site itself. The striking colour striations, combined with the earthy hues of the interior, introduce a natural and subtle warmth to spaces. This feature wall also creates a defined approach which draws the user into the building.
Rammed earth wall an opportunity for the community to develop a useful skill set
The rammed earth wall also created an opportunity for the surrounding community to develop a unique and useful skill set and to become part of a specialised building process.
Community members were trained on site to familiarise themselves with different construction materials, workmanship of the form work as well as due diligence. The erection of some test blocks was done under the supervision of an expert and the specific mixing technique of lime and soil was taught to provide adequate strength to the wall.
It was the intention to provide the participants with a useful skill that can be used to acquire profitable employment and better their lives and indirectly their communities. Some of the trainees went on to do rammed earth construction in Cato, Namibia.
Cohabitation of nature and man
It was also important for the house to become part of nature’s performance, its dance partner if you will. Among some of the measures taken was that the swaying indigenous Highveld grass was allowed to grow back on roughly 60% of the site and indigenous plants in the courtyards and garden offer birds, insects and the odd Night Adder shelter and sustenance.
Organic vegetables and fruit are also grown in a vegetable patch on site for use by the inhabitants, labourers and the birds and the bees. This cohabitation of nature and man encouraged the creation of a truly regenerative building which not only becomes part of its natural environment but also gives back to its surroundings.
A sustainable design ethos
As Veld Architects undertakes a sustainable design ethos, this design is no different. By implementing sustainable principles, the design aims to reduce running costs of the home by implementing systems such as rainwater harvesting and solar collection and making use of simple, durable materials which require none to minimal maintenance.
The orientation of the building is just off north and employs roof overhangs which optimise the angle of the winter sun whilst planting creepers create shading in summer. Large openable glazing panels on both southern and northern facades with openable top windows harness the Highveld breeze and allows for adequate cross ventilation to create a comfortable indoor climate.
The terrazzo floor tiles absorb the radiating sunlight releasing the warmth at night when the temperature drops. The home’s ability to retain heat is bolstered by the use of low emission glass and added winter comfort is provided by solar-powered underfloor heating and two efficient combustion fireplaces.
Water also plays a big role in the integration of natural processes within the simplistic man-made structure. All rainwater from the roofs are harvested and collected in an underground tank that is used to irrigate the strictly indigenous garden. During times of drought, household greywater can be redirected to replenish the low levels of collected rainwater in the underground tank. The swimming pool is constructed as a natural pool, where the water is circulated through a living ecosystem of specifically chosen aquatic plants that absorb decomposing materials, bacteria and pollutants and convert them into plant tissue. Other than the sustainability of a natural swimming pool, they provide a habitat for wildlife. The ecosystem of the aquatic planted area attracts certain frogs and insects which subsequently attract indigenous birds to also drink and bathe in the water.
Another important factor which contributes to the sustainable design of the building, is the transportation and manufacturing of the building materials used. Often the excavation for foundations and the large amount of groundwork required adds to the transportation cost of removing raw material and bringing in produced conventional materials. By making use of the rammed earth construction method, we were able to combine this with conventional construction methods in order to create a building that is more cost-effective as well as sustainable.
There is no doubt that the design of this home is all about the landscape and nature. By drawing inspiration from the landscape and from the needs of the clients, a design is created of a timeless, highly functional and sustainable design that affords the occupants the best quality experience within their own home. ■
