Somiah Residence: A Spacious Private Retreat on a Compact Urban Stand
Designing a “spacious retreat” is easy on a sprawling estate, but the real architectural challenge lies in doing it on a compact, subdivided stand in the heart of Bryanston. For the Somiah Residence, we were tasked with creating a 464sqm sanctuary that felt expansive and private, despite being situated off a busy road in a dense urban environment
2018, Bryanston, South Africa
Area:464m²
Project Team: Nadine Clarke, Michelle Smith
The “Subdivision” Challenge: Privacy & Security
In Johannesburg, building on a subdivided plot often means being overlooked by neighbours. Our response was a U shaped architectural plan. This “inward facing” design creates a central courtyard that acts as a private heart for the home. It successfully screens out the surrounding suburb and provides a high level of passive security, a vital consideration for any South African homeowner, without making the house feel like a fortress.
Smart Solutions for Guest Parking
One of the client’s major pain points was the busy road and the need for secure, off-street guest parking. On a compact site, paving a massive driveway can make a home feel like a parking lot. Our solution? Grass blocks. By using these instead of traditional paving, we provided a stable surface for multiple guest cars while keeping the front of the home lush and green. It’s a functional, eco friendly way to move cars off the street and into a secure environment without sacrificing aesthetics.
An Entertainer’s Dream with a “Family First” Future
While the client is a professional gentleman who loves to entertain, we designed the layout with a sharp eye on ROI. We ensured the home would appeal to families with children for future resale. The home’s social anchor is a double volume living area that opens seamlessly toward the outdoors.
The outdoor living spaces are divided into two distinct zones:
- The Covered Patio: An intimate space featuring a large fireplace—perfect for those chilly Johannesburg evenings.
- The Open-Air Kitchen: Located just off the patio, this dedicated zone features a built-in braai and a pizza oven, allowing the “chef” to be part of the action by the pool while keeping smoke away from the main lounge.
Designing for Longevity and Income
To further boost the property’s versatility, the brief included a fully independent studio. Tucked away for maximum privacy, this space is ideal for a rental unit or an extended stay guest suite. This addition ensures the home isn’t just a beautiful place to live, but a high performing financial asset.
Ready to Unlock the Potential of Your Plot?
Whether you’re building on a compact subdivision or a sprawling estate, we specialise in solving the “puzzle” of residential architecture. We create homes that maximise your ROI, ensure your security, and, most importantly, are spaces you’ll love to live in.
Contact Meik Architects today to discuss how we can turn your site challenges into your home’s best features.
Nadine: 082 809 1970
Studio: 011 025 8318
Email: info@meik.co.za
FAQs for Somiah Residence
Focus: Subdivisions, Privacy, and Guest Parking.
Q. How do you maintain privacy when building on a small, subdivided stand?
- Consider a courtyard typology where the house screens your living spaces. Here we utilise a “U shaped” or inward-facing courtyard layout. This allows the home to wrap around a central garden, shielding your living spaces from neighbours and street noise while maximising natural light.
Q. How can I provide enough guest parking on a small property without it looking like a parking lot?
- Use “grass blocks” or permeable pavers. These provide a load bearing surface for multiple vehicles but allow grass to grow through, maintaining a lush, green aesthetic when cars aren’t there.
Q. Can a modern home design also be "family friendly" for future resale?
- Absolutely. While the Somiah Residence was designed for a professional, we ensured a “family first” flow with 3 bedrooms and a flatlet that could double up as a domestic quarters, ensuring high return on investment and appeal to a broader buyer market in the future.