When Nico van der Meulen Architects were called in for the additions, alterations renovations to an outdated face brick house in Limpopo, the most obvious factor to take into account was the excessive heat.   This project required optimal solutions to ensure it was suitable for the hot conditions.

Special attention was paid to the street façade, with a water feature and rusted steel create an abstract composition with  a steel  security screen which opens to reveal the sandblasted glass front door.

It was critical that the rooms could open up to create indoor/ outdoor living, integrated with the pool and professionally landscaped garden.  To achieve this, frameless folding doors were used extensively, enabling the house to become a verandah when required.    The wall between the designer kitchen and lanai folds totally open for entertaining.

The architect ‘opened up’ the existing living rooms and created  double volume glass and steel enclosed spaces, within this space a magnificent and distinctive staircase was designed, which became a major feature within the residence.    

The use of massive glass walls result in the house cooling faster in the evening, as well as allowing breezes cooled by the pool and water features to cool the house during the day when it be opened from east to west.

Glass sliding doors situated on both sides of the bedroom wing enable north-south cross draught ventilation at all times.

The double volume areas were  fitted with vertical steel shutters for sun control, as well as a brise soleil.

M Square Lifestyle Design was responsible for the interior design, creating creative and inspiring areas all over the house.

The furniture is from Molteni and C, Floss, Kundalini and Royal Botanica outdoor furniture- all sourced by M Square Lifestyle Necessities.