HOUSE 4014

INTRODUCTION

This house is situated in a residential suburb in the western part of Durban called Gillitts.

CLIENT WISHES

Client was a couple with a young daughter from Durban. They wanted to move to a more secure home with a strong French provincial feel where they could relax, garden, entertain, enjoy the company of visiting friends all in the relaxed style associated with the architectural style which they had chosen.

Required high ceilings, interleading public rooms with large doors to contain the heat in winter, kitchen with a dining area in the kitchen as the heart of the home.

A covered terrace, sunny garden and pool, an office /study off the entrance and a special staircase to the first floor.

CLIMATE & ENVIRONMENT

Gillitts is a suburb with a hill station type climate in tropical Kwazulu Natal. It is heavily planted with deciduous and evergreen indigenous and non indigenous trees enjoying a cooler misty climate to the city on the coast below.

SITE & VIEW

Originally large tracts of land were farm estates of the wealthy who had moved to the countryside just outside of the city. This house is situated on a large piece of land belonging to the original homestead which was then divided up into 7 subdivisions with a security gate and walled perimeter. The sub division was still a reasonable size with some existing deciduous trees being retained.

The site is on slightly sloping land falling in two directions. North was an important part of the design aspect of the house as winters are cool and the existing trees which were to be kept were to be a determinant. The town planning scheme allowed a two storey building.

The Sub Division Estate Architecture was not very specific except it required neutral tan tones and pastiche of decorative elements.

SKETCHES & DESIGN NOTES

Upstairs are three bedrooms all ensuite with a walk in dressing room in the Main and a balcony terraces out of all rooms.

The free standing pool with stone clad wall and fountain spouts in the lawned garden together with a walled herb garden are part of the provincial feel requested of the house.

An approximate building cost of R4 000 000

Materials, clay imperial common brick, smooth plaster painted, hardwood windows and doors, cast iron metal work,  tiled floors, concrete roof tiles.

Modified heritage furniture and architectural elements used for fittings and detail in and around the house.

The cut and fill on the site was balanced in the development of the design.

Full Architectural appointment with a Structural Engineer, Quantity Surveyor with a BOQ and a Tendered Contract.

Client was immensely proud and happy with their home.

Although a copy of a stylistic architectural, the house has integrity in the way in which the Client used and decorated the house.