Usually representing spirits, ancestors or the primordial couple, these figures were placed in shrines and treated with great respect. Through a wide range of style, scale, belief and function the couples depicted share a timeless, serene equality necessary to the continuity of their societies.

House Steyn / Thomas Gouws Architects

Architects: Thomas Gouws Architects
Location: Johannesburg, South Africa
Project Team: Interior: Sureen Gouws Structural Design; P Design Contractor; Arnokon Construction Landscaping; Badec Bros
Interior Décor: Sureen Gouws
Project Year: 2010
Photographer: Dook Courtesy of VISI magazine, Karl Rogers

- 12 January 2018
- Datum Editorial
Residential , Houses , Contemporary , Contemporary African Directory ,

The house is situated on a golf course in a residential estate close to Johannesburg in Gauteng, South Africa. The brief called for a contemporary minimalist house that provided security and privacy, while exploiting the golf course views. The site is exposed to extremely windy conditions year-round and protected outdoor living areas were a necessity. A priced collection of antique Cape furniture and contemporary art also needed to be a displayed.

Thomas Gouws Architects

From the outside the house is a simple minimalist box with bold clean lines. Warm wood and stone textures links the building to the more conventional neighboring houses. The house is based on a traditional H-plan shape. The two courtyards created by this layout are screened off and treated as outdoor extensions of the interior spaces. A central double volume living area forms the heart of the house, which opens up onto both courtyards and also connects the side wings with supporting services and bedrooms. The building responds to the climatic conditions of its setting. Thomas Gouws Architects

Thomas Gouws Architects

On the northern side sliding screens can open or close to provide wind and sun control. This also provides various degrees of privacy from the golf course and act as a security screen. A pergola over the pool courtyard provides shading in summer, but let's through the lower winter sun. An evaporative cooling system, solar geysers and a water under floor heating system provide the additional green and energy efficient heating / cooling for the house.

Thomas Gouws Architects

With the design of the Interior the clients' extensive collection of art and antique cape furniture is combined with modern pieces and finishes. Bold accent colour is used throughout as link between old and new and gives a sense of fun and playfulness to the interior.

- © House Steyn II Thomas Gouws Architects + Inter...
- © House Steyn II Thomas Gouws Architects + Inter...
- © House Steyn II Thomas Gouws Architects + Inter...
- © House Steyn II Thomas Gouws Architects + Inter...
- © House Steyn II Thomas Gouws Architects + Inter...
- © House Steyn II Thomas Gouws Architects + Inter...
- © House Steyn II Thomas Gouws Architects + Inter...
- © House Steyn II Thomas Gouws Architects + Inter...
- © House Steyn II Thomas Gouws Architects + Inter...
- © House Steyn II Thomas Gouws Architects + Inter...
- © House Steyn II Thomas Gouws Architects + Inter...

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