Construction World December 2016

Project information • Company entering: Strey Architects • Client: Friedrich and Wilna Strey

• Start date: 2006 • End date: 2015 • Main contractor Friedrich Strey • Architect: Friedrich Strey • Consulting engineer: Hull Consulting Engineers • Subcontractor: Clotan Steel • Subcontractor: Mega Construction

Various site layouts and concepts were considered. It was decided to design a contemporary farmstead, utilising different ‘sheds, barns and a silo’ on the 1 239 m² stand. A long timber cladded ‘barn’ had to accommodate the living area and parent-in-law apartment on the ground floor, and the bedrooms on the first floor in the roof or loft space, and the services, storeroom, wine cellar and business office in the basement. The southern ‘shed’ had to serve as double garage or double as a steel workshop at ground level, a rentable apartment in the attic space and domestic quarters in the basement. A brick ‘silo’ serve as stair shaft and serves as a division between the ‘public’ architect’s office space, and the ‘private’ home and living space, as well as to accommodate a guest bathroom in the basement, and a look-out in the top of the tower. One of the most important factors in design is the orient- ation of the building. The most common factor is for the long face of the building to face the sun, but that is not always possible or desirable. The different structures are placed is such a way that the building ‘turns its back’ on the cold winter winds from the south-east, BARN HOUSE It is always the hardest thing for an architect to design for himself. Mostly because the temptation presents itself to try all the ideas usually not allowed by clients; and to experiment.

while channelling the cool breeze over the pool and through the opposing glass doors of the ‘barn’ during summer. As South Africans are blessed with an average of more than 300 days of sunshine per year, it only makes sense to install a solar water heating system to help with the hot water needs, as well as produce electricity with the use of the sun, through the use of photovoltaic panels. The estate is reticulated with piped natural gas to each stand, so solar heated water could also be supplemented by utilising natural gas to bring the hot water up to the required temperature when needed. The house is properly insulated, through the use of insulation board in all the roofs, walls and floors. Clay bricks utilises a lot of energy to be fired, as well as leaving a scar to the earth where the materials are excavated, so recycled clay bricks from sites where buildings were being demolished, were used where bricks were needed. No artificial heating or cooling was needed as the structure is well insulated all round, passive evaporative cooling mechanisms (the swimming pool) is in place, single deep spaces utilised, well- considered cross ventilation used, etc. Operable, triangular gable-end windows, right at the top of the ridge of every structure