The client approached Gottsmann Architects and asked the firm to design a contemporary house with a South African identity. The design had to respond to the local vernacular, the climate and to the future development of prospective neighbouring houses.
The design was to be simple in form with emphasis on horizontality. The house was to respond to both street facades while creating a generous size private garden protected from the street. North facing rooms with views to the golf course together with the use of double glazing allowed well-lit and thermally comfortable spaces in which to live. Clean lines offset by a simple juxtaposition of materials, textures, natural colour said which were offset against simple planes of white as canvas. Gottsmann Architects set out to design a sleek modern interior with a vibrant yet non-commanding dialogue between the various materials and textures. The natural wood brought back elements of nature into the interior of the house while the spacing of such elements created a rhythm
Inspiration was drawn from the South African context and the landscape, which was merged with a modern application of the simple forms and materials. The aim was to produce a design of harmonious composition merging traditional context with the modern. The design was to be memorable but not superficial, simplistic but not mundane.
Location I Serengeti Golf & Wildlife Estate, South Africa
Size I 480 m2
Photographer I RH.Photographix
Awards I Highly commended at the African property awards: Architecture single residence (House 653).
Feature I Habitat Magazine: Jan/Feb 2016: Avant Garde Farmhouse
Feature I Serengeti Golf & Wildlife Estate Newsletter: Award winning home