BIKITSHA RESIDENCE
An architecturally designed contemporary courtyard home, maximising views, orientation, and privacy in a farm estate in Gauteng
2015-2018, Monaghan Farm Estate, Lanseria, PTA, South Africa
Area: 775m²
Project Team: Nadine Clarke, Aeron Stipanov, Emma Hurst, Deandra Farinha, Evelyn Boora
Contractors: Urban Creations / Interiors: Sophistique Interiors / Landscaping: Peaceful Scapes / Joinery: Woodworx
Photo credit: SA Home Owner
Featured in SA Home Owner, April 2019 (https://meik.co.za/media/)
Designed as an entertainer’s home, perched high on a North-facing slope within the Monaghan Farm Estate, this house sought to optimise orientation, view and privacy, while responding to the required accommodation schedule. The brief called for a sustainable home that could operate on harvested rainwater and generate its own electricity, whilst being thermally efficient.
The resulting layout is a North facing, U-shaped courtyard house. The bedroom wing creates a private courtyard off of the living spaces, containing an Arbor off the kitchen and a large lawn for kids play. This space flows down to a swimming pool on the lower level, adjacent to the patio. By making use of a U-shaped, courtyard design, privacy for both the bedrooms and living spaces is obtained, whilst making the most of expansive views across the estate.