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CHHIKA RESIDENCE

2019, Neighbourhood Estate, Linksfield, Johannesburg, South Africa
Area: 401m²
Project Team: Nadine Clarke, Deandra Farinha

The Client’s Dream

When these first-time home builders approached us, they weren’t looking to make a massive “statement” on the pavement. Instead, they wanted to invest where it mattered most: the spaces where their family actually spends time. The goal was to downsize to a “lock-up-and-go” lifestyle in The Neighbourhood Estate, staying closer to their daughter’s school while creating a home that could comfortably house elderly parents.

The brief was simple but specific: it had to feel like a single-story home, it needed a deep connection to the garden, and—most importantly—the clients wanted to hear the calming sound of running water throughout the house.

Turning Challenges into Design

Building in a dense urban estate like this comes with a strict rulebook. For us, the biggest hurdle was the site itself—it sloped toward the west, but the clients really needed a single-story layout for their parents. Since the estate has firm rules about how high a house can sit above the natural ground, we couldn’t just flatten the land.

Our solution was to “step” the house into three distinct levels. This naturally created a break between the street-level “entry shed” (housing the garage and guest suite) and the main U-shaped home. Rather than seeing this gap as a problem, we saw it as a massive design opportunity. We used this natural break to create a shaded, green courtyard. By placing a linear pond here and crossing it with a bridge to link the two buildings, we solved the level-change issue while simultaneously delivering on the client’s dream of hearing running water as they move through the home.

We also had to get creative with the materials. The clients originally had their hearts set on raw, off-shutter concrete, but the estate guidelines weren’t going to budge. Instead of fighting a losing battle, we pivoted to a striking black facebrick from Corobrik. It achieved that same moody, industrial “Contemporary Barn” edge the clients loved while keeping the estate committee happy.

The Heart of the Home

The home itself is designed around a central garden courtyard in a U-shape. One leg of that U is the bold, open-plan living “shed,” immaculately detailed by Vandanite Consulting Engineers. We wanted this space to feel completely open, so we used a portal frame that allows the glass walls, supplied by Inso Aluminium, to slide away entirely. To keep this large, industrial space feeling warm, we added a sustainable pine timber ceiling, sealed with a local product called Jaxoleum to keep it from yellowing.

Outside, we introduced light steel pergola elements to contrast the heavier brickwork. These pergolas feature Thermory pine, a sustainable timber that will gracefully grey over time, adding to the home’s character. Understated lighting from Hitech Lighting was used throughout the project to highlight the architecture without being distracting.

Quality was non-negotiable in the kitchen, where Martin Meyer Kitchens created a beautiful hub featuring integrated Siemens appliances. The floors are finished in high-quality large-format tiles from M Squared Tiles, providing a durable surface that can handle the transition from indoors to the garden. We were incredibly grateful to have Ikos Construction on-site to manage the build; their eye for the small, tricky details—like the custom steel bulkheads for the lighting—is what really makes an architect-led project stand out.

A Sanctuary for Rest

The remaining two legs of the U-shape form the private wing. This layout ensures that every bedroom has a direct view and connection to the lush greenery of the central courtyard. We used a gallery-style walkway to connect the rooms, including a built-in workstation so that “work” stays in the hallway and the bedrooms remain places for rest.

In these quieter spaces, we opted for softer finishes, like the new-generation laminates from Fin Floor and custom wardrobes also designed by Martin Meyer. Reliability was key for the bathrooms, which is why we specified Hansgrohe tapware throughout.

The garden itself is the final piece of the puzzle. Colleen Landscapes created a lush, central courtyard that ties the whole house together. A family pool, built by Splendid Pools, sits next to a boma that cleverly uses the site’s slope to create a sunken fire pit—a perfect spot for the family to gather as the sun sets.

Living Sustainably

Because we know that power and water reliability is a major pain point, we made sure this home was prepared for anything. We tucked a full PV solar array and batteries into the garage and installed a borehole for the garden and backup domestic use. Between the solar and gas geysers and a well-insulated shell, this home is as smart as it is beautiful.

Can you see more?

The clients chose to have Meik oversee the entire construction on-site to ensure every detail was perfect. You can follow the progress and see more of our work by following us on our socials.

Thinking of moving to an Estate?

If you’re looking for a team that can turn strict estate rules and tricky sites into your dream home, we’d love to chat. Feel free to call or email us to set up an appointment to discuss your vision.

Nadine: 082 809 1970
Studio: 011 025 8318
Email: info@meik.co.za 

FAQs for House Chhika