LODGE GREGORY
A contemporary farm lodge, located on a farm estate in Gauteng designed to offer private individual suites with uninterrupted views
2012-2014, Residential Estate, Lanseria, South Africa
Area: 500m²
Featured in Garden and Home, January 2015
Project Team: Nadine Clarke
Contractors: Blue Cube Construction / Flooring: Cemcrete / Lighting: Rebel Lighting / Kitchen: Optima Kitchens / Joinery: AE Joinery
Featured in Garden & Home, January 2015 (https://meik.co.za/media/)
Lodge Gregory is designed to offer private individual suites with uninterrupted views of the landscape. The setting is integral to the experience of the home, set in a secure estate in Tshwane that combines a sense of safety with a close connection to the highveld landscape.
The architecture is shaped around this duality, balancing a refined, modern lodge aesthetic with the relaxed atmosphere of a home that opens up to nature.
The idea of a contemporary lodge is expressed in the way the buildings sit within the landscape and how the spaces are arranged to frame views. Rather than feeling enclosed, the home is designed to open outwards, allowing the changing light, distant vistas and outdoor areas to remain a constant presence in daily life.
Lodge Gregory and the Lock-Up-and-Go Lifestyle
A love for the African bush-veld, combined with the need for a true ‘lock up and go’ lifestyle, motivated the client to build their home at Monaghan Farm estate. The estate offered both the natural environment they were drawn to, and the security and convenience required for a home that can be left for periods of time without concern.
This lifestyle priority influenced the planning and character of the home. It needed to feel like a retreat immersed in the landscape, but also function as a practical base that supports travel and flexibility. The idea of a contemporary lodge design, clear spatial organisation and secure setting all work together to support this way of living.
Spatial Planning at Lodge Gregory – Suites, Views and Connectivity
The home had to be sustainable and the accommodation had to cater for grown children and international visitors, while maximising views and an outdoor lifestyle. All accommodation was required to connect and open up to the exterior. Lodge Gregory responds directly to this brief by being conceptualised as separate, interconnected, north facing suites or buildings.
These bedroom suites give each guest or family member a sense of privacy and independence, while their interconnected nature ensures the home still functions as one cohesive whole. The north facing orientation supports thermal comfort and daylight, and importantly, helps to maximise views across the landscape. The emphasis on every suite connecting to the outdoors reinforces the lodge character, making outside spaces feel like natural extensions of the interior.
Living Spaces, Patio and Pool Deck
The living space forms the public heart of the home. This area opens onto a generous patio and pool deck, creating a central gathering zone for both residents and visitors. Here, indoor and outdoor living blend seamlessly, aligning with the client’s desire for an outdoor-focused lifestyle.
These public spaces are where social life at Lodge Gregory naturally comes together, providing room for entertaining, relaxing and enjoying the surrounding environment. The connection to the patio and pool deck ensures that the landscape remains an active backdrop to everyday activities, whether hosting international visitors or spending time with grown children.
Gallery, Workstation and Daily Functionality
To the south of the living areas, a gallery links all the bedrooms. This gallery functions as a calm transitional space, tying the separate suites together while maintaining a clear spatial hierarchy between public and private zones. It reinforces the idea that all accommodation is connected yet still individually defined.
While the client needed to be able to work from home, they did not want a dedicated study. The solution was a concealed workstation in the space linking the living areas and the gallery. This approach allows work to be accommodated discreetly, without imposing a formal home office on the overall design. It supports flexibility and practicality while preserving the relaxed, lodge like character of the home.
Climate Response and Sustainable Features
Sustainability was an important consideration in the design of Lodge Gregory. Timber shutters were employed extensively throughout as a means of allowing natural cross ventilation in summer and providing a second insulation element in winter. This dual function helps the home respond passively to seasonal changes, improving comfort while reducing reliance on mechanical systems.
The surrounding indigenous garden reinforces the connection to the local environment. It is watered by means of harvested rainwater, aligning with the broader goal of sustainability and responsible resource use. Together, the use of timber shutters and rainwater harvesting reflects a thoughtful approach to environmental performance, complementing the lodge’s focus on views, outdoor living and a strong relationship with the African bush-veld.
For enquiries or to set up an appointment to discuss your requirements, you can reach out directly:
Nadine: 082 809 1970 || Studio: 011 025 8318 || email us: meik architects