NEO Architects |

INDLOVU WEDDING VENUE

NEO ARCHITECTS — Wed, 25 Mar 2020 08:11:49 +0000

INDLOVU WEDDING VENUE

POELPETATER PRIVATE BUSH RETREAT

NEO ARCHITECTS — Tue, 24 Mar 2020 14:01:22 +0000

POELPETATER PRIVATE BUSH RETREAT

A private syndicate selected a hillside area in a wood of Tamboti trees to build a bush retreat with spectacular views through the trees onto an existing waterhole as well as on surrounding plains and hills.

The brief was clear: A contemporary design with minimum infringement on the topography and the architecture should complement rather than compete with nature.

The building work had to be completed in the shortest possible time without compromising on quality. The architects proposed a number of separate structures more or less on the same contour spread out to ensure that the minimum number of trees had to be removed. The key structural walls were built with either the abundance of natural stone from the area or plastered brickwork. The wooden infill structures with Meranti flooring, drywall, Masaranduba decking and sleeper walkways were hidden between the trees and appear to touch lightly on the contours in the landscape.

Large stack-away or sliding glass panels created the effect of treehouses opening up to nature. The project was completed in ten months on a difficult and ecological sensitive site, far from the suppliers of building materials. • Following the natural contour lines had the following effects: Even though the site is on a relatively steep incline, the walkway from the parking area through the communal living areas up to the bedrooms is on one level with no steps except down to the pool deck. • All the spaces are northeast facing, resulting in the hot summer sun disappearing early behind the adjacent hill to the southwest in mid-afternoon as well as spectacular moon- and sunrises over the mountains to the east. The abundance of trees acts as natural sun control in the mornings, supplemented by external wooden pole sunscreens suspended from the roof structure.

The main building comprises a carport, lounge, dining room, kitchen facility opening onto a deck area with built-in seating overlooking the watering hole. The adjacent open entertainment area with a pool deck and braai area form a link between the living area and the three structures accommodating six en suite bedrooms. All the rainwater from the roofs and paving areas are channelled to the watering hole to improve sustainability, as it usually dries out in winter. Water from the showers, bath and hand wash basins pass through filters into a galvanized steel tank on the kitchen roof from where it can be gravity fed to the watering hole or the irrigation system. The brief for the landscaping was that, with the abundance of trees and natural rock, no formal garden was to be created and only two different ‘veld’ grass species were being established.

PEMBI 2

Jurie Swart — Sun, 22 Dec 2019 13:20:32 +0000

PEMBI 2

PEMBI Conservation Area Mozambique. Rugged indigenous architecture meets precision contemporary architecture with minimum intervention in the environment almost echoing the concept that drives the PEMBI conservation initiative. The remoteness of the sites posed a particular challenge and the design principle should combine the expectation of a formal dwelling at a certain luxury standard, with elements of indigenous structures that can be constructed by local labor.

Each structure must be self-sustainable with regards to the electrical supply (solar panels), groundwater supply, greywater treatment and septic tank sewage treatment systems. Apart from airstrips and access roads, no services reticulation would be provided to these sites.

The structures should touch the ground lightly with access walkways and main structures floating on the natural topography and can be disassembled and removed from the site at any point, leaving possibly only the interred foundations.

The structures are pre-manufactured at an off-site location from 6 meter and 12 meter shipping containers, transported to, and assembled on site. The traditional wooden pole structures are constructed on site as screens and patio coverings, using local palm tree branches for the roof. The top part of which houses the (almost concealed) solar panels, overhanging the main structure, creating a service space enclosed with louvre panels for ventilation and allowing accessibility.

Walling that is not cladded with wood externally and well-insulated against the hot and mostly humid climate, will consist of large, openable glass panels to dispel the boundary between internal spaces and the vast African surroundings, also allowing for maximum airflow.

To protect against tropical downpours as well as the harsh African sun, proper overhangs are provided with stackable wooden louvre screens, subtlety cladded inside with an insect repellent screen, doubling up as a security barrier.

Two different layout configurations provide for varying accommodation requirements. Contrary to basic architectural design principles, the design must fit any topography from a flat savannah plains site, a rocky outcrop, a Miombo forest, a riverine setting or a mountain retreat. The surroundings are left untouched, providing each site with a unique indigenous landscape. The architecture must be subservient to the topography and respect nature but not be an unassertive architectural statement.

BROOKLYN HOTEL

Jurie Swart — Thu, 22 Dec 2016 13:20:32 +0000

BROOKLYN HOTEL

Contemporary hotel development in Brooklyn.

The hotel is an extension and a refurbishment of a Cape Dutch house in Brooklyn with a contemporary take. The hotel rooms and basement is new with the refurbished Cape Dutch house housing the reception and restaurant.

ROOIBERG LODGE

Elmien — Tue, 23 Feb 2016 06:39:35 +0000

ROOIBERG LODGE

Proposed Rooiberg Lodge situated in the Limpopo Province.

MORNING STAR HOTEL

Elmien — Tue, 23 Feb 2016 06:27:20 +0000

MORNING STAR HOTEL

The new Morning Star Express Hotel is situated just off the Pretoria CBD in Visagie Street. Other landmarks in the area include the Burgers Park Hotel around the corner, and across the street from the Hotel is the beautiful original building of the Staatsmeisjesskool now Hamilton Primary School, a red brick Victorian style building, built at the beginning of the 20^th century. The State Theatre is also close by and has started using the funky new hotel for their accommodation needs.

There is some urban deterioration in the area which consists mainly of residential apartment buildings and the upgrade of Morning Star is part of some welcome renewal, which could well provide a lot of stimuli for similar upgrades. The building used to be a boarding house with rather neglected facilities.

The building was completely renovated internally and externally with a double deck parking area at the deck.

Internally the beautiful wooden block flooring has been retained which provided a quality feel that matched the upgraded interior.

En suite bathrooms have been provided to every room and core drilling to the concrete slabs was quite a challenge as the structural integrity was an unknown factor. The existing steel window frames have been replaced with soundproof aluminium windows and AC units which altered the façade completely.

The only available space for a second lift and extension to the restaurant was literally on the street boundary. The blue box, glass façade and scenic lift not only had a dramatic effect on the main façade but provided a very scenic view over the Jacaranda City CBD.

Taking the limited budget into consideration, the transformation was a huge success and became a benchmark for upgrading of existing buildings.

PEMBI CONSERVATION LODGE

Elmien — Mon, 22 Feb 2016 13:20:32 +0000

PEMBI CONSERVATION LODGE

WORLD ARCHITECTURE FESTIVAL FINALIST.

Each structure must be self-sustainable with regards to the electrical supply (solar panels), groundwater supply, gray water treatment and septic tank sewage treatment systems. Apart from airstrips and access roads, no services reticulation would be provided to these sites.

The structures are pre-manufactured at an off-site location from 6 meters and 12-meter shipping containers, transported to, and assembled on site. The traditional wooden pole structures are constructed on-site as screens and patio coverings, using local palm tree branches for the roof. The top part of which houses the (almost concealed) solar panels, overhanging the main structure, creating a service space enclosed with louver panels for ventilation and allowing accessibility.

To protect against tropical downpours as well as the harsh African sun, proper overhangs are provided with stackable wooden louver screens, subtlety cladded inside with an insect repellent screen, doubling up as a security barrier.