We’ve seen a lot of cool houses over the years and yet there are still a lot of new projects that manage to impress us. One of our most recent discoveries is a unique residence located in the countryside just outside Pretoria in South Africa. It was a project developed by architect Nadine Englebrecht and it’s an off-grid home with a lot of character. First of all, what immediately stands out is the double-height conservatory situated at the heart of the house.
This is actually the inspiration source for this project’s name: the Conservatory House. This volume features a gabled roof and glazed facades toward North and South which let in lots of natural light and which also frame beautiful views of the surroundings thanks to the carefully-planned orientation of the building.
The conservatory volume is placed at the heart of the house and connects all the other roomsConservatory is just another term for describing a sun lounge or a room with a glass roof and walls, similar to a greenhouseThe double-height glass volume has a gabled roof and is filled with indoor plants which strengthens the connection between the house and the outdoorsThe glass walls of the conservatory open up in summer offering direct access to a patio and to the outdoorsThe open kitchen is part of a large social area and features this big island with open shelving and a built-in sink
The house was built partially into the hillside, being situated of a sloping piece of land. There’s also a section where grass covers the roof on one side. This together with a series of other design details helps to connect the building to its immediately surroundings and to establish a strong connection with the outdoors. In that sense, we should also mention that this is a barn-style house which gives it a lot of character and charm.
The palette of materials used throughout the house includes durable and low-maintenance choices such as concrete, steel or brickThe large full=height windows and glass doors ensure a strong connection between the indoor and outdoor spaces without compromising privacyA variety of indoor plants complemented by themed artwork give the house a fresh, nature-infused vibeThe textures, finishes and colors featured in the interior design are inspired by nature and the surroundings
As far as the interior design is concerned, the spaces are bright, airy and welcoming. The style is eclectic, including sleek and modern elements such as the large kitchen island as well as as well rustic and industrial details such as the exposed brick surfaces or some of the furniture pieces and decoration.
Glass walls and partitions matching the facade walls seamlessly connect various sections of the houseIn the summer, the doors and some of the facade walls can be opened to allow natural ventilation and access to the patioThe gabled roof makes the spaces look extra welcoming and cozy, even the large ones that have high ceilingsThe house was designed to be comfortable all year round, featuring insulated walls and automate glass facadesThe facades open up in summer revealing the amazing views in their full splendor and also helping with the ventilationThe insulated walls control the temperature in winter, maintaining a comfortable level even in extreme climate conditionsThe master bedroom is situated at the highest point of the site and features a private balcony with panoramic viewsA secret staircase in the kitchen offers access to the underground wine cellar and a glass floor panel connects the two levelsThe house is not only well-organized and beautiful but also sustainable and eco-friendly, taking advantage of solar panels and natural ventilation
