This ambitious project called for a large house, built by the client and a small team, without a main contractor, using unconventional construction methods and materials. The brief was to provide a house that worked for the couple, maximized the opportunity of the site and would comfortably accommodate the extended family for regular gatherings.

The client had been collecting stone and recycled timber for a decade before commissioning the house. The collected materials were to be fully utilized. An agreement with local communities in the area gave access to forests earmarked for clearing and numerous indigenous hardwoods were resourced for the house. This wood was used for flooring and the manufacture of furniture on the farm. The various timber species were fabricated into beds, doors, tables and storage systems.

THE BOULDER WALL

Siting the house at water’s edge provided some challenges including sloping, unstable soil. The cutting of the platform exposed large boulders, utilized to retain the cut slope. Additional rocks were resourced from the excavation of a gas pipeline in the district. The landscaper developed an ingenious rock packing methodology with the assistance of the engineer. The boulders, being from the site, are a suitable response to the scale of the project and the expansive site.

THE LAKE EDGE

The house mediates the transition from the rock-walled entrance courtyard to a tree lined landscaped platform behind the house, through to a view overlooking the lake at the front. Instead of a large veranda to the front of the house, outdoor living areas are set between the core ground floor zones. These courtyards are nestled between living, work and bedroom bays, allowing both internal and external spaces to enjoy the water’s edge. This also protects the external spaces from prevailing winds, increasing the comfort of sitting outdoors.

THE STAIR

The various spaces are linked on upper and lower level with a wide gallery and connected vertically by a bespoke stair. The stair is situated to connect the master bedroom to the main living and kitchen directly below. This ensures a more compact living zone for the primary couple to inhabit when the extended family is away.

SCALABLE TECHNOLOGY

Custom systems are used both in construction of the main structure and down to the fine detail of the furniture. A language was developed in the design process that was scalable so the detailing of the internal walls, ceilings and partitions translate into storage systems and furniture. In turn the steel structure is detailed in a way that it is translated into kitchen fittings and furniture. This concept is resolved into table feet and cupboard hinges, all uniquely developed for the project.

The building process was overseen by a combination of skilled tradesmen and local labour. Skills transfer was maximized by the closeness of the team and the client’s commitment to a project of the place and by the place. The fundamental design remained unchanged whilst building systems were developed around available materials and skills. The original design was resilient enough to respond to these developments along the way and the team remained resolute – held together by the intensely dedicated vision of the client.

Winner of the SAIA KZN Award for Architecture : 2017

Winner of the SAIA  Award for Excellence : 2017 / 2018

The post LAKE HOUSE appeared first on .

As a traditional settlement may be arranged to provide a protected central communal area, the private spaces of the house are arranged to define the communal areas. The communal areas are in turn designed as an extension of the landscape; a gradual formalisation of the landscape from the natural surroundings. A structured garden using endemic plants and formal outdoor spaces connects exterior to interior. Formal outdoor spaces are structured by the building and natural surroundings. The communal space is defined by the private spaces and finished the same as the external spaces.

The circulation is through the communal space, but does not cut through the functional areas, so although it is open plan, the function of living, dining and cooking are separate and connected.

Private spaces are designed so the transition ensures privacy. Finishes of these spaces are further refined and take on a slightly more comfortable feel. The building is designed from a limited palette of materials and colours.

The post HOPEWELL HOUSE appeared first on .

The venue is designed to have a strong relationship with its neighboring buildings, supporting a master-plan and the range of amenities available within the complex.

The purpose of the building is a large flexible reception space. It was conceived as an interior that by its nature was aesthetically pleasing, without requiring decoration. The budget was limited; therefore the building process was reduced to as few processes as possible. It was decided to use the structure as the aesthetic driver of the building.

A timber portal frame was designed to span the full 16m of the space. This frame uses laminated saligna beams that are manufactured Lamtim, in the Midlands. Steel connecting brackets designed to be concealed within the timber, allowing for on site bolted assembly of the large components; were supplied by Rebcon in Pinetown. The design was a close collaboration between Richard Stretton and Andrew Scott of ARUP.

A small team of carpenters, assisted by the Rebcon riggers lifted the portals into position. Smaller bracing beams, designed to provide a folded plane across the ceiling connect the portals to secondary rafters. The bracing beams are positioned close together to enhance the folded plane across the ceiling. The basic geometry of the portal induces a 3D distortion of the folded ceiling. It is this complex geometry generated through a simple process that provides the aesthetic detail and interest of the space.

The building is designed very simply from the exterior. It is designed to be an enchanting interior experience. The use of timber technology to generate both structural performance and aesthetic delight is the core of this submission. The carbon sequestration provided by the use of timber as a structure adds to the environmental economy of the project. The glazed south facing elevation ties the space to the environment and controls natural light.

The post THE WINDMILLS GLASS VENUE appeared first on .

Interior and furniture design for luxury accommodation Dalton furniture workshop, Retail and custom furniture is produced in the skills development workshop, using alien timber cleared from the property.  The Dalton Trust appointed Koop to develop the infrastructure, architecture and interiors for The Dalton Private Reserve in rural KZN. The programme sought to use materials off the property and local labour as much as possible. Alien timbers were cleared to use as structural timber and to manufacture furniture and people from neighboring communities were employed to build and staff the reserve.

The Dalton Private Reserve was the winner of the first SAIA-Afrisam award for Sustainable Architecture : 2010

The post DALTON RES HOUSE appeared first on .

Houses – Landscape integration

Houses are designed to integrate with the landscape. Building systems are designed to respond to the physical environment. Materials, colour and textures are complimentary with the landscape. Construction is kept simple, using local materials to ensure that local skills will be utilised and developed through the building process.

The post HOPEWELL CONSERVATION RESIDENTIAL ESTATE appeared first on .

The Visitors Centre at Hopewell Conservation is a small multifunctional pavilion, situated at the entrance to the reserve. It is designed to reflect the architectural language of the planned amenities and houses within the reserve.

The program defines a greeting area, service kitchen, admin office, presentation space and ablutions. It is functionally simple.

The building is sited on the disturbed site of a ruined cottage on the farm. This minimised the need for site works, although a retaining wall was required to support the building platform. This retaining wall provides a solid base to the primary structure of the pavilion.

The pavilion consists of two components – a lightweight timber and steel frame that forms a gazebo or umbrella of shade for the served (public) space. The service component is housed in a solid masonry structure that is situated to the south and west of the served space. The two components intersect – combining stability with lightweight openness.

The solid service core is clad in stone resourced from the ruin of the original structure on the site. Effectively the earth of the site is modified to provide base to the pavilion and the resilient south and west walls. The SAPine roof and column system is finished with oils. This provides a natural looking, easily maintained finish – elevating this humble material. The contractor responded to the request to use site material in the polished concrete floor with dedication and professionalism. Site soil was graded, washed and mixed with cement to provide a floor that was intended to be a polished and refined version of the site itself. The result is a deep red earth floor that, as one proceeds from outside to inside, becomes more refined.

The structural steel frame is incorporated into the glazing system of the pavilion, and is concealed. The timber frame of the roof provides passive environmental control by spanning over the inset glass box and supporting a series of timber louvers and screens that shade the interior from east and west sunlight. The solid masonry of the service core offers thermal and structural stability. The building is completely off grid – provision has been made for the fitment of passive power, and heat generation will be installed when the building’s usage demands. Rainwater is collected and used for the maintenance of the surrounding landscape.

The pavilion is integrated with its site in a quid pro quo manner. The contours and existing platform determine the orientation of the building, but this allows the building to focus towards the site of the new residential node under development. This enables the function of the structure as a sales office.

The landscape responds to the building in return by terracing the level change between the road below and the building platform. The building platform is extended to the north, creating a large related flat area for large events. The landscape is planted with flora resourced from the reserve, providing an insight into its biodiversity.

Winner of the ECIA Architectural Award of Merit : 2013

Winner of the SAIA Architectural Award of Merit : 2014

The post HOPEWELL VISITORS CENTRE appeared first on .

The program called for a house that comfortably accommodated three families holidaying together, or the host family alone. Split into three pavilions of differing function, (i)Living, (ii)Host Family Bedrooms and (iii)Guest Bedrooms, the house responds to spatial need.

The spatial organisation of the design attempts to solve a great dichotomy of the opportunities offered by natural settings. Panoramic views give us the sense of the vastness of Africa, but many memorable experiences in nature come from intimate experiences, close up with fauna and flora. Experienced bush dwellers may sacrifice view for shelter and intimacy, but a holiday home misses a trick if the view is not exploited. The open view of the bush landscape and the mountains in the distance to the east is juxtaposed by the intimate view uphill to the west. This view is below tree canopy and also enjoys the elevated horizon behind. Both views are equal.

The Living Pavilion is located on the original serviced platform with the Host Family Pavilion. A space between them allows North light into the living room. This is an intimate protected outdoor space with views forward and back. North orientation is achieved in a house that views East towards the Lebombo Mountains, and West. The Guest Pavilion, on a level elevated above the main platform and to the south of the Living Pavilion, is elevated to provide privacy, access light and respond to the shape of the site.

All functional areas connect strongly to their surroundings through glazed elevations and intimate related outdoor spaces.

The structural system aims to provide flexibility of space, environmental protection and basic functional components.

The separation of the timber columns on the east elevation from the envelope allows the doors to slide independently of the structure. The living room and bedrooms are designed to open onto the outside decks in a simple gesture that extends the functional space of the room. The external floor material continuing into the spaces on floor and ceiling further enables this close relationship. This use of natural timber, matt and dark, at the eastern edge of the space, counteracts the effect of glare.

The structure is multifunctional – solid and deep on the west elevation. Closely spaced fin-walls define the related internal spaces. The house is entirely serviced from the west with the served spaces to the east. The deep fin-walls allow deep-pocketed windows on the west elevation. Thus incoming sunlight and thermal stability is offered. Internally the fin-walls support kitchen counters, vanities, storage units etc. The roof projects well beyond the glazing on all elevations, internal spaces are large and airy and panoramic view is exploited as much as possible. The design attempts to make the experience from within the house as close to being in the environment as possible. Formalised camping.

The building is designed to integrate with the environment as much as possible. Materials used include loose stone from the farm clads the walls. Locally sourced timber flooring, ceilings and columns and colours are chosen to blend into the landscape. The profile of the house is low to blend with the geologically stunted vegetation and gentle rolling hills.

All trees were carefully plotted to avoid any being lost during the building process and integrate the building with the site. The opportunity offered by a line of acacias at the guest bedroom pavilion defines the related outdoor space. A small level area is designed behind the house to provide a sheltered “back garden”. This is the only area of the site that allows a managed garden.

Grey water is fed into the landscape to irrigate trees. A complex energy system is avoided as this house consumes very little power due to the fact that it is occupied 10% of the year. Service systems remain shut down most of the time. Systems are avoided in favour of effective passive design.

This project won a special mention for Architecture from the KZNIA in 2013

The post LUTHULI HOUSE 2 appeared first on .