architectural portfolio
Craighall Park residence
This residential project, initiated towards the end of 2017, has been completed.
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Project Brief
The client tasked Archland Design Studios with designing a spec house on a long, thin site in Craighall Park, Johannesburg. In spite of the challenging proportions of the site, the building had to be in excess of 600m² and appeal to wealthy buyers.
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The client asked us to create a unique aesthetic which would blend conventional and industrial styles. At the same time, the design had to be extremely value engineered as the goal of the project was to create the most impressive house possible while keeping the budget low.
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Archland was only appointed for partial services, so unfortunately there was little architectural involvement and quality control during construction. The concept therefore had to be robust enough that the design would be impressive even if the contractor did not execute the construction very well.
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My Role
The overall concept was a collaborative effort between my boss, the client and myself. Everything apart from the general conceptual approach was designed, detailed, drawn, and modelled entirely by myself.
Concept
In dealing with the proportions of the site, the building had to be pushed as far as possible to the South with fairly long, straight facades. To create interest, these façades were broken in to sections which stepped in and out by only a single wall thickness, with face brick and plaster sections alternating to differentiate the elements. A rhythm of repeating windows was used to bring light into the long linear spaces and introduce an industrial aesthetic.
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In terms of the actual structure, these elements were emphasized using a number of steel I-Beams and H-columns painted in black to contrast with the red face brick. The use of double volume spaces further helped to prominently display the vertical and horizontal structural framing as a way of bringing in the utilitarianism so prevalent in industrial architecture. A double volume canopy over the pool area allowed for a large glazing wall which was protected from direct sunlight.
The most significant aesthetic element in the design was the large arched windows in the main and guest bedrooms. These unusual windows create a clear and visible link to the industrial buildings of the past while also creating a unique interior for a residential project.
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Workflow
The entire project was drawn and modelled in Revit.
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Construction
In the absence of architectural inspections, the contractor/ developer cut many corners and got away with a lot of poor workmanship. In spite of this, the concept did prove to be strong enough that the finished building was still a beautiful and unique work of architecture.
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Critical Reception
The design proved to be very popular and the architecture received many compliments when the house was put on show. The client easily found a buyer willing to pay the asking price.