GA 26 Lynnwood Ridge, Pretoria by Nadine Engelbrecht

Houses

GA 26 Lynnwood Ridge, Pretoria by Nadine Engelbrecht Architect.

Location: Lynnwood Ridge, Pretoria
Architect: Nadine Engelbrecht
Website: nadineengelbrecht.co.za
Email: studio@nadineengelbrecht.co.za

The house exterior uses off-shutter concrete facades and polished concrete floors.
The house exterior uses off-shutter concrete facades and polished concrete floors.
The walkway is made with polished concrete floors that curve to the entrance of the house.
The walkway is made with polished concrete floors that curve to the entrance of the house.
The entrance of the house is in the middle of two structures with stone walls.
The entrance of the house is in the middle of two structures with stone walls.
The living room has polished floors and an indoor open fireplace.
The living room has polished floors and an indoor open fireplace.
The living room, dining area, and kitchen are next to each other.
The living room, dining area, and kitchen are next to each other.
The kitchen features a kitchen island and the lighting creates a dramatic effect.
The kitchen features a kitchen island and the lighting creates a dramatic effect.
The hallway with glass walls and polished concrete floors leads to the upper room.
The hallway with glass walls and polished concrete floors leads to the upper room.
The garage has an open staircase made of concrete leading to the upper room.
The garage has an open staircase made of concrete leading to the upper room.
The bedroom has full-size glass walls and blinds that regulate sunlight.
The bedroom has full-size glass walls and blinds that regulate sunlight.
The bedroom walls are made of off-shutter concrete left unpainted creating an aesthetic feel.
The bedroom walls are made of off-shutter concrete left unpainted creating an aesthetic feel.
This view features the glass walls and blinds in the bedrooms.
This view features the glass walls and blinds in the bedrooms.
The patio features a polished concrete floors and unique sofa.
The patio features a polished concrete floors and unique sofa.
The house features a pool in the backyard for relaxation.
The house features a pool in the backyard for relaxation.
Next to the pool is a small deck with an outdoor grill for picnics.
Next to the pool is a small deck with an outdoor grill for picnics.
People spending quality time in the backyard of the house.
People spending quality time in the backyard of the house.

GA 26

Located in Lynnwood Ridge in the heart of Pretoria, Gift Acres 26 is a compact 305m2 residential house with polished concrete floors and innovative use of off-shutter concrete facades. The Faerie Glen nature reserve borders the eastern boundary of the house inspiring the design as a hide-away space in the city.

In response to contextual influences, the design faces the street facade as a reflection of the city with elegantly designed concrete facades creating ultimate privacy. In juxtaposition, however, the house opens up towards the nature reserve creating an elevated house in the trees. This biophilic house integrates nature and combines private natural living with city life.

The clients’ brief motivated a private city residence with honest use of concrete as a construction material. Thermal properties of concrete is therefore incorporated into the passive heating and cooling systems. Concrete is used in its rawest form to contribute to the aesthetics and sustainability of the house.

The polished concrete floor forms a continuity throughout the house and generates a seamless transition between inside and outside spaces. A special designed mix of Lafarge Artevia with white limestone as aggregate was used throughout construction.

The finished polished product revealed a vibrant light coloured floor which assists in reflecting natural daylight into the open plan spaces. Due to the correct choice of window size, location, overhangs and screens, heat penetration into the house is prevented in summer whilst during winter months heat enters the house and is absorbed by the concrete floor. The stored heat assists in keeping the house warm during cold winter nights.

Concrete off-shutter walls were cast on the western facade using normal construction shutter boards in an innovative way to create horizontal lines. To craft the horizontal lines, the walls were cast in 4 pours. With each pour the shutter boards were moved to overlap the previous cast and vibrated thoroughly to insure a flawless finish with seamless joint lines.

The choice of solid concrete walls on the western facades were motivated by the contribution the thermal mass of concrete has towards the holistic passive design of the house.       

The result is a unique solution which satisfies the requirements set by the client, materials and site.

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