THE ARCHI GEEK: WEEK 2: HOUSE STANDER

In architecture, alterations and additions are often the most finicky jobs to deal with, as the designer is compelled to make the existing and the new work as a single design entity. The same applied to Cooke Le Fevre Architects and UrbanDesigners (my employers), when they were approached to breathe life into an old Victorian house in Noordhoek, Western Cape.

Located on a very irregular terrain, deep in the pits of natural surroundings, the designer had to design around the often unpredictable Western Cape weather which is ever so slightly exaggerated by the geographical context of the existing structure. The position of the old structure (which is further up the slope) works as a contextual, functional and technological advantage or disadvantage, depending on your level of optimism and inventiveness in this “half-full / half-empty” scenario.

The slope allows the designer to spread the functions in a chronological and even manner, based on the urgency and the importance of each function as one circulates up the slope. The welcoming structure and the creator of the much required sense of arrival that the old structure lacked, is the double garage space. It introduces a sense of ease and interest in a mundane task like parking a car and moving to the main structure. The designer creates that effect by introducing a linking deck above the pedestrian garage opening, to the main structure. This creates a sense of protection while giving the user visual and (to a certain extent) physical access to the surrounding nature.

The next function is the hallway, which is the sole single volume space that utilises its maximum height. This allows the space to assume a sense of openness that welcomes the user to experience the main spaces. A very minimalistic timber staircase leads up to the lounge and the existing kitchen, both of which underwent alterations. The lounge is extended by opening it up to a balcony / deck that leads to the aforementioned garage link. This gives visual access to the surrounding on a higher level, while allowing one to access the garage roof space for perfect outdoor events.

The whole structure and the manner in which it is designed and altered takes the form of the slope. Every transition space mimics the slope, resulting in parallel elements that practically line up with it. The same is done with the new side roof in order to create a great contrast to the existing pitched roof. This works well as it still maintains the Victorian aesthetics of the structure, but doing so in a modern manner. The designer creates an optical illusion that extends the height of the structure by letting the tallest parts of it rest at the top of the slope. This is also done through the use of long and thin vertical members.

The new walls are standard-sized exposed bricks with a 50mm cavity and 25mm insulation. For internal walls the same principle is applied, only with the exclusion of a cavity. The new roof is Saflok 700 on 50 x 75mm grade 5 SAP purlins at 900mm c/c on 8 and 44 degree falls. The ceiling is sealed Meranti on top of rafters. 108 x 44mm stained, treated and seal SAPG 6 posts are used to support the protruding roof and the balcony deck.

Square stained and varnished uprights are introduced as the main frame of the balustrades, with 30 x 40mm timber members fixed to the handrail. The natural aesthetics of the timber allow the structure to blend in with the natural context. The delicate and simple staircase is entirely constructed from timber. The designer makes use of 32mm thick timber to create light treads of 300mm, braced directly to the brick wall. This gives it a floating effect that fits in with the “emptiness” of the space.

So alterations may be finicky, but that shouldn't be a creative block. It should just be an element to draw inspiration and concepts from. This project is solid proof.

Here are some images to feast your eyes on…