Traversing Our Natural Connection
Somewhere between man and the land is a most magical space, an interval of wonder where the two meet despite the separations that persist in society. Through an account of their pursuit for this connection, W Design Architecture Studio presents how the built and natural environments converge when man is placed in the middle with intention.
The mediator
Located ‘on the edge’ between various commercial developments and traditional leafy residences in the suburb of Muckleneuk is Roundabout Brooklyn — the mediator. This apartment building’s design was called to achieve higher density and maintain a healthy suburb, staying consistently respectful of both its historical context and its future aspirations. The vision is of a building that will exist in harmony with its surroundings, with a focus on honesty, longevity, and above all, liveability. By distilling the suburban dream (a secure home that opens out towards a garden) and downscaling it, the benefits of apartment living combined with high-end luxury offer a solution to those seeking a home rather than a transitional space.
Opting for the bare minimum of single-trade and unfinished materials, this is a structure that reveals itself openly. The building’s clean-lined, contemporary form, along with a no-fuss aesthetic, emphasises the experience of living in each space: the surplus of natural light, the quality of the finishes, and ready access to green spaces. Up on the communal rooftop terrace, the views are spectacular and celebrate all that Pretoria has to offer; dense greenery that follows an undulating landscape.
The sanctuary
Park House sits as a sanctuary on a gentle slope towards its titular park, with majestic views of the grassed valley stretching beyond. This sight of splendour formed the basis of the conceptual departure point for the design of this house. As inspiration found in both the visual and perceptual connection to the extensive open space, the natural elements were used and celebrated to shape this abode.
A renovation project entailing substantial changes to the existing build, the design is a complete re-thinking of the structure. The home’s inherent character and link to the landscape remained the backbone and most prominent aspect in terms of design. All primary functions and rooms connect directly to the exterior, avoiding disconnected spaces. Any visitor to the home is constantly reminded of the strong presence of the park — a union of the manmade and the natural. Park House, with its solid stone walls, expanses of glass, and garden setting, feels as if it were charmed out of the landscape, and in turn charms all those who experience it.
An open letter
Bowing towards the Lunsklip River, with various dams and lakes on its Eastern boundary and together with the majestic views into the grassed valley beyond, the landscape forms the basis of the conceptual departure point for the design of Unfolding the Land. These earthly elements encompass the integration of the great outdoors and the escape from a busy urban life, which are highlighted to shape this structure. The goal was to merge the landscape with the architecture, the natural with the human.
The architectural form consists, essentially, of the liberated barn-like living room structure and two native stonework boxes which house the bedrooms. The playful philosophy of lifting the carpet or rug of veld and placing the bedrooms underneath ensures that these above-ground, earth-covered structures provide the cosy shelter associated with a mountain cottage while still allowing a contemporary perch with panoramic connections to the landscape from all areas of the home.
Refined revelation
The concept for this project was based on creating a space that embraces the context — one that appears as a refinement and revelation of the land. Where Man and Mountain Meet is designed to be a space beyond rationality and functionality, triggering and facilitating an emotional and spiritual awakening to the African landscape.
These new structures aren’t meant to be looked at, but to be looked out from. More than anything, these spaces are sheltered viewing platforms. The focus is on the overwhelming presence of the layers of mountains, the natural bushveld, and the endless open space.
Along with the various lightweight, pre-manufactured and imported construction elements, the crucial building block which facilitates the grounding of the built structures is the native stone-clad screen walls, a material that transcends our human timescale. These structures enclose the essentially open rooms and counterbalance the lightweight construction with its heavy form as if the rocks scattered over the landscape were simply collected and pushed together.
Centuries of developing a divide might have convinced many that they are above the landscape, but in a mindful approach to architecture, we find ourselves grounded in innate coexistence
Photography by Dook Photography
This article is an extract from our July issue. Read the full issue here.
