Daffonchio Architects

House 02, Hyde Park

HOUSE 02, HYDE PARK

 Daffonchio & Associates Architects

House 02, Hyde Park
© Adam Letch

ARCHITECTS
Daffonchio & associates architects

LOCATION
Sandton, south africa

CATEGORY
Houses

ARCHITECT IN CHARGE
Enrico daffonchio

PROJECT TEAM
Frances joynt

STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS
Hull consulting engineers

QUANTITY SURVEYOR
SM schneid quantity surveyors

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT
Luanne chance

CONTRACTOR
CTS Projects

AUTHOR OF TEXT
Frances joynt

House 02, Hyde Park
© Adam Letch

Text description provided by architect.

The house is set on a secluded, tranquil stand surrounded by established trees. The main house consists of 2 wings: the living wing and the bedroom wing.

Both wings have long, low roofs which appear to float over and past them. These roofs are supported on external steel posts, as all of the walls stop short of the ceiling, with clerestory windows on top of all internal and external walls.

House 02, Hyde Park
© Adam Letch
House 02, Hyde Park
© Adam Letch

The clerestory windows allow views of the trees from inside the house, and admit a soft, diffused light into the house during the day.

At night, the ceilings are lit up by means of fluorescent lights concealed below the clerestory windows. This creates a soft, ambient light, and enhances the floating effect of the roofs.

House 02, Hyde Park
© Adam Letch
House 02, Hyde Park
© Adam Letch

The deep overhangs of the roofs and the generous concrete aprons around the house extend the house into the garden both spatially and visually. The deep roof overhangs also shade the glazing in summer, protecting the house from solar heat gain.

Along the full length of the northern side of the living area is a 16 meter long floor to ceiling motorized frameless glass sliding door.

House 02, Hyde Park
© Adam Letch
House 02, Hyde Park
© Adam Letch

When opened, the door disappears into cavity walls, and the living area effectively becomes an open covered patio, with 2 large cavity sliders on the south side opening onto a secluded courtyard.

The entrance door was designed by South African artist Marcus Neustetter. It comprises a sheet of laser cut steel on the outside and laser cut walnut on the inside, with clear glass in between to let light shine in during the day and out at night.

House 02, Hyde Park
© Adam Letch
House 02, Hyde Park
© Adam Letch

The laser cut image originates from a Google Earth image showing the topography of Johannesburg and the surrounding areas.

The minimalist architecture, expansive spaces, soft natural daylight and white walls in the house serve as a backdrop for other artwork throughout the house.

House 02, Hyde Park
© Adam Letch
House 02, Hyde Park
© Adam Letch

The ecopool has been designed to read as part of the garden, with gravel banks acting as the transition between the garden and the pool, and planted wetlands blending visually with the surrounding landscaping.


House 02, Hyde Park
First Floor Plan
House 02, Hyde Park
Section

Daffonchio Architects
T +27 11 4478118
Daffonchio Architects
13 Baker St, Rosebank, Johannesburg, 2196, South Africa