Every Room In This Sculptural House Opens To The Outdoors

September 9, 2015

Kloof Road House by Nico van der Meulen Architects and M Square Lifestyle Design

 

Nico van der Meulen Architects together with interior designers M Square Lifestyle Design, have recently completed the Kloof Road House, in Johannesburg, South Africa.

 

Kloof Road House by Nico van der Meulen Architects and M Square Lifestyle Design

The architect’s description

The client’s brief called for a family orientated home suitable for indoor/outdoor entertainment that maximizes the views to the north. The result is a sculptural piece of architecture that is an extreme transformation from the previously modest single story.

Kloof Road House by Nico van der Meulen Architects and M Square Lifestyle Design

With every room in the house opening outdoors, linking the home with the landscaped garden, indoor/outdoor living is guaranteed. Werner van der Meulen used morphed steels forms that wrap around and frame the structure by the use of parasitic architecture.

Kloof Road House by Nico van der Meulen Architects and M Square Lifestyle Design

From the street, the boldly designed off-shutter boundary wall with black steel shapes creeping over predicts that this is no ordinary piece of architecture.

Kloof Road House by Nico van der Meulen Architects and M Square Lifestyle Design

Kloof Road House by Nico van der Meulen Architects and M Square Lifestyle Design

Steel, glass and concrete are prominently used in Kloof Road House and have been integrated into the design, from the boundary wall all the way to the interior. The angled steel roof of the entrance hall overhangs the double volume window and glass front door at the entrance, while the sculptural steel staircase is visible behind the window.

Kloof Road House by Nico van der Meulen Architects and M Square Lifestyle Design

The wall of the entrance is clad with natural timber in a herringbone pattern to soften the harshness of the steel, glass and concrete interior, while the backlit ceilings create a shadowless interior inside the sculptured 3D forms.

Kloof Road House by Nico van der Meulen Architects and M Square Lifestyle Design

M Square Lifestyle Design translated the architectural concept of Kloof Road House into the interior design. Steel perforated panels and off-shutter concrete were amongst the elements used for the interior, while the design of the lighting compliments the bold forms of the home and defines the angles.

Kloof Road House by Nico van der Meulen Architects and M Square Lifestyle Design

Concrete, glass and steel visually link the interior and exterior, smoothly integrating architecture and interior design. The furniture, decor and feature lights that complement this are sourced from M Square Lifestyle Necessities.

Kloof Road House by Nico van der Meulen Architects and M Square Lifestyle Design

Nico van der Meulen Architect’s trademark of seamlessly connecting the indoor and outdoor spaces is achieved through the use of frameless folding glass doors, transforming the lanai into an extension of the living room.

Kloof Road House by Nico van der Meulen Architects and M Square Lifestyle Design

The double volume living room and dining room, kitchen and lanai are situated in an open plan area and coherently merge into one another with a polished concrete floor extending to the lanai.

Kloof Road House by Nico van der Meulen Architects and M Square Lifestyle Design

The angled columns supporting steel beams and the roof pierce the double volume space. These structural elements were designed to appear sculptural, while the sculptures on display compliment the structural components of the building.

Kloof Road House by Nico van der Meulen Architects and M Square Lifestyle Design

Energy efficiency was very important, so a decision was made to use a water-based under floor heating system, connected to solar panels and a heat pump, both for heating and cooling. This was installed in a polished concrete floor for good conductivity.

Kloof Road House by Nico van der Meulen Architects and M Square Lifestyle Design

Kloof Road House has four en suite bedrooms; two children’s bedrooms and a guest bedroom situated downstairs and the main bedroom suite located upstairs.

Kloof Road House by Nico van der Meulen Architects and M Square Lifestyle Design

The design of the main bedroom incorporates a large open balcony with views stretching to the far horizon, while the open plan bathroom flows around the corner to the expansive dressing room. The main suite has its own lounge area with a television and fireplace, as well as a mini kitchenette cum bar.

Kloof Road House by Nico van der Meulen Architects and M Square Lifestyle Design

A pajama-lounge and playroom is located upstairs and overlooks the double volume living spaces and kitchen, leading onto a large north-facing balcony that forms the roof of the lanai, offering views of the garden and other distant views.

Kloof Road House by Nico van der Meulen Architects and M Square Lifestyle Design

A 12 x 8m floating pavilion is located on the lower level of the sloping garden and affords views of the northern facade in its entirety, as well as the cantilevered koi pond and north views towards Sandton.

Kloof Road House by Nico van der Meulen Architects and M Square Lifestyle Design

The pavilion allows for effortless entertaining at the swimming pool with an open fire pit next to it, as well as a barbeque and bar located within.

Kloof Road House by Nico van der Meulen Architects and M Square Lifestyle Design

Kloof Road House by Nico van der Meulen Architects and M Square Lifestyle Design

Photography by David Ross and Barend Roberts