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Nico van der Meulen Architects

Nico van der Meulen Architects Diversity Badge

Female owned

Johannesburg, ZA

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Exterior of House Ber.
Exterior of House Ber.
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House Ber

The inspiration for this contemporary glass house was drawn from the estate rules that forbid the use of burglar bars. Toying with the idea of protecting a house that’s already secured led to the exploration of large cantilevered boxes enclosed by black steel bars.

 Rectangular in form, the design of House Ber is centered around the living room, water features and covered patio areas.

The double volume spaces embrace the open plan of this house, while the bold steel bars make a point of being noticed. Stepping up towards the front door that’s discreetly located in a frameless glass wall, you find yourself standing on a concrete podium elevated above the water feature.

The asymmetrical stairs between the split levels are disguised as granite slabs punched with steel inserts. Unimposing and nearly invisible, the frameless folding glass doors seamlessly separate the interior from the exterior while thresholds being kept to a minimum create transparency between the indoor and outdoor environments. 

M Square Lifestyle Design continued the idea of random connectedness throughout the interiors ensuring this theme was translated through every space and detail. Materials were utilized in their purest form, with a selection of materials such as marble floors and Caesarstone kitchen counter tops.

M Square Lifestyle Necessities furnished the house with European furniture pieces and lighting to compliment the design, including B&B Italia, Molteni & C, and Roda.

 
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Status: Built
Location: Carlsworld, Midrand, South Africa
Additional Credits: Architects: Nico van der Meulen Architects
Interior Design: M Square Lifestyle Design
Interior Decor: M Square Lifestyle Necessities
Photography: David Ross, Barend Roberts, Victoria Pilcher

 
The steel bars are visible from this angle.
The steel bars are visible from this angle.
From the dining hall to the living room.
From the dining hall to the living room.
The staircase and one of the sculptures.
The staircase and one of the sculptures.
An overview of the dining space.
An overview of the dining space.
All the textiles are natural and kept in their true form.
All the textiles are natural and kept in their true form.
The granite and steel stairs from the dining area to the living room.
The granite and steel stairs from the dining area to the living room.
The open plan kitchen.
The open plan kitchen.
House Ber: exterior.
House Ber: exterior.
The random steel bars.
The random steel bars.
The kitchen frameless windows open up to the lanai and the garden.
The kitchen frameless windows open up to the lanai and the garden.
The light of sunset on House Ber.
The light of sunset on House Ber.
The view of the lanai and the garden from the kitchen
The view of the lanai and the garden from the kitchen
The entrance with steel and glass.
The entrance with steel and glass.
Materials and their colours were chosen to blend together.
Materials and their colours were chosen to blend together.
The lanai and the garden.
The lanai and the garden.
Upstairs, the main bedroom.
Upstairs, the main bedroom.
The en-suite facility.
The en-suite facility.