Architecture | House in Mooikloof in Pretoria, South Africa by Nico van der Meulen Architects

Architect Nico van der Meulen have created house he’s designed in Pretoria, South Africa.

House in Mooikloof in Pretoria, South Africa by Nico van der Meulen Architects

Bathroom House in Mooikloof in Pretoria, South Africa by Nico van der Meulen Architects

Contemporary House in Mooikloof in Pretoria, South Africa by Nico van der Meulen Architects

Kitchen House in Mooikloof in Pretoria, South Africa by Nico van der Meulen Architects

Pool at Yard in House in Mooikloof in Pretoria, South Africa by Nico van der Meulen Architects

The only absolute requirement was that it had to be visually extraordinary with an indoor swimming pool. The layout centers around the double volume living and dining area. The dining area is placed on a platform to enhance the views towards the garden. The kitchen is more private while at the same time not entirely enclosed (it is open-plan, leading to the indoor pool area). The indoor pool and living area is enclosed with stacking frameless glass doors which gives the inhabitants the opportunity to completely open up the space. Drinks can be conveniently served directly to the pool via an in-water pool bar. The first floor is split with the children’s bedrooms on the one side, and the main bedroom on the other. The main bedroom has a small private lounge area and is open plan to the bathroom. Exterior louvers give privacy for the floor-to-ceiling glass showers. With the exception of the home theatre and the second guest room, which was added later, all rooms are north facing. Even the kitchen that is located behind the indoor pool receives direct north sunlight from the high windows set in the angled roof during winter.

The interior design team from M Square Lifestyle Design ensured that finishes and fittings accentuated the architecture of the home. All fittings were specifically designed and made to suit the architecture of the house. “The interior reflects the exterior with intersecting planes creating points of interest. The exposed steel roof trusses, steel I-beams, and the bent steel staircase tie the interior with the exterior and refer to the quasi industrial aesthetic of the home,” explains Phia van der Meulen of M Square Lifestyle Design.

The look was completed with contemporary furniture supplied by M Square Lifestyle Necessities.

Plants used were all indigenous and adapted to the area, while large sculptures by Anton Smit create visual interest in the landscape.

Visit the Nico van der Meulen Architects website

Photography by David Ross