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Reborned House in South Africa

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Bold and ultra modern design is completely suitable for a contemporary South African style, although no one would ever guess that this house was originally built in the 1970s.

When the architect Nico van der Meulen saw this jewel, he was not deterred by the reddish brick façade and the interior that required an extensive reconstruction. It was a challenge for him. A completely new first floor was built which includes a master suite and two children`s suites, and a double garage was added on the ground floor.

The most important thing for the team of the architects was to open up the space of the house and thus improve air circulation which was necessary for residents to be comfortable and to enjoy the nature that surrounds them in hot summer days in Johannesburg, and also to make aesthetically beautiful and unique building. They created an atrium and `a moat` around the hall and the dining room, with a curtain of water and an amazing view on the garden.

The family and the dining room open onto a spacious 13x6m terrace through frameless sliding doors which is an excellent idea as this doubles the space available for entertainment during the long South African summers. The interior walls were removed to create a spectacular living area. The roof over the terrace is suspended from a two-storey high beam traversing the swimming pool.

The main suite is an enormous space, with both the bedroom and the bathroom opening onto a balcony, creating an `Al Fresco` experience. All the corners in this area are without columns, creating a floating roof effect. The main bedroom has its own gas fireplace with an integrated large lounge area. ! M Square Lifestyle Necessities` designed the interior reflecting richness and the latest design trends. These can be found in aspects such as the spherical copper lamps designed by one of the world`s leading designers Tom Dixon.

The copper mirror balls were used to create space dynamics. A luxurious colour palette was applied to improve the modern theme of the interiors, including rich bronze and copper shades. The end result is a space that is open, warm, modern and infinitely appealing. The result of the impressive restoration project is a home ideal for the 21st century.

One of the main objectives was to build a home that accommodates the typical South African lifestyle and to create an ideal environment in which to enjoy the warm days…