Adrian Morris, Residential architecture, interior design, house design, elegant homes, luxury homes, South African architecture, bespoke architecture studio
The existing non-descript, single storey, split level mid century home is set on a sloping site in Pretoria. The ambition for the renovation is to reconfigure the living spaces so as to enable a more contemporary lifestyle, whilst not loosing the mid century character of the house.
A key intervention was to integrate the unused lower ground level to the existing house, as well as create a physical connection to the garden and pool area that is currently disconnected from the house due to it being located on a lower level. This is achieved through the introduction of a large glass stairwell to connect the two floors, as well as visually anchors the existing entrance. In addition, a portion of the garden has been excavated to expose the lower ground level to the garden, and to create a direct connection to the existing pool.
A new covered patio has been added to the lower ground level, which extends to connect to the existing swimming pool, and frame an open outdoor courtyard off the new lower ground living space. The patio roof is designed as a green roof in order to soften the visual aspect when viewed from the upper level, as well as to enhance the generous garden in which the house is situated.
The existing swimming pool has also been upgraded to a natural fresh water pool, with the filtration wetland being located adjacent to the main bedroom patio, again further enhancing the garden setting of the house.