Construction World February 2018

bedroom level, and eventually at the lowest point, a games room and pool area. The house is large, but due to the central staircase, movement is easy, and passages have been kept to a minimum.” House Eloff/Kruger Groenkloof, Pretoria “This house is situated in Groenkloof, an established suburb of Pretoria, the capital city of South Africa. The large, steep stand affords views over the city to the north, and borders a nature reserve to the south. The brief was for a modern, functional, energy efficient house, utilising city and nature reserve views, and the moderate outdoor living climate of Pretoria. The footprint of a demolished house had to be incorporated in the design and the resulting design, spread over three levels, has a glass skin northern façade, providing sufficient natural light, views and connection to the outside. The main entrance has open plan living areas flowing and connecting to the outside entertainment area and pool deck overlooking the garden. A study, guest room and garage complete this floor. The private upper level has three en-suite bedrooms and a small TV lounge. Views are provided onto the nature reserve through the staircase’s double volume glass and upper level strip windows, while a studio on the lower level can function as a small separate living unit. Energy efficiency is achieved through orientation, double glazing and insulated floors, walls, and roof and concrete overhangs framing the upper level provide sun control. Solar power provides electricity and warm water and rainwater is collected for re-use in galvanised tanks used externally as architectural features. The large garden is landscaped with water wise indigenous plants and external surfaces and levels are finished and textured in different materials, such as flush jointed painted brick walls, exposed concrete, steel, glass and natural stone.”

Volumode Offices Groenkloof, Pretoria “This office building is situated alongside a busy road no longer desirable for residential purposes, but identified for higher density development. Planning and essential rezoning was done in consultation with the local resident’s association, which was favorably met as it might set the theme for future similar projects. It is a new HQ building with executive offices and open plan offices in a functional and energy efficient design. It was designed with a north orientation with a central courtyard which provides sufficient daylight and ventilation.

House Aucamp Gift Acres Estate, Pretoria “This project is situated on a small steep and narrow site, measuring only 12 m x 30 m, running north-south (to the south the stand borders a nature reserve). Extensive and intricate accommodation requirements had to be fitted into the design, and furthermore, the narrow north frontage of only 12 m created the challenge of allowing northern light into the internal spaces of the house. Living areas run the length of the property, opening to the north, and connecting the nature reserve on the south to the house. The living areas are single storey, allowing the use of clerestory windows to bring northern light deep into the structure. This project offered the opportunity of designing on a small piece of land and solving the resulting design challenges.”

Private Lodge, Boschhoek Mountain Estate, Modimolle “Currently still under construction, this private lodge is situated on Boschhoek Mountain Estate close to Modimolle. The brief was to design a luxury lodge consisting of a main communal living and entertainment unit with lounge and dining facility, pool and boma, a private owner’s suite and three private, self-contained guest units each with their own splashpool. Set against a cliff to the south, views are afforded over the estate to the northeast. The single level units are positioned between rocky outcrops and indigenous bush for low impact on the natural environment. The steel structures are filled in with brickwork, and mostly glass, to create the effect of being in the bush at all times. Low maintenance finishes are used, and the lodge will be self-sufficient: solar power will fulfil electricity and heating needs; a dual waste water system for grey and black water is used; and the buildings are insulated. Solar panels are integrated as part of the carport roof structure while rainwater will be collected in a 53 000 litre underground water tank, and should be sufficient for lodge use.”

17

CONSTRUCTION WORLD FEBRUARY 2018