Page 18 - Designing Ways 273

FEATURE

“RESTORE, RENEW,

REIMAGINE”

by Mellet & Human
Architects

n 2022 Mellet & Human Architects
was approached by Leon Swanepoel
Iof Swapri Projects to assist in the
design of alterations and additions to the
existing residence at 302 Edward Street in
Waterkloof. Built in the early seventies,
occupied by the original owners until been admired by Pretoria residents as a requirement was to provide five en-
now, this Grande Dame was ready for landmark Waterkloof property originally suite bedrooms, a small TV lounge
rehabilitation to former grandeur, but in designed by Dutch architect John van de and kitchenette, more natural light,
rhythm with today’s easy living. Werke. It was master-built by the previous utilising views as far as possible.
With its distinctive slate roof and curved owners over a period of four years, with • Overall, the client wanted the house
gabled roof windows, the house has always meticulous detail and no expense spared. to resemble a unique signature
The house was however in need of being residence, competing with the best
upgraded and extended to an executive the capital city can offer.
residential level suitable for today’s modern Mellet & Human Architects, in
family life. providing their design solution, decided
to give recognition to the history of the
The brief to the architects was to restore, house, and the original Van de Werke
renew and reimagine the property, and design. New additions and changes
to specifically include the following: to the structure were to be modern,
• The north sloping garden had to be with the intention of contrasting with
levelled and re-designed as a more the old, rather than blending in. Many
functional outdoor space. A pool original architectural elements like
with adjacent entertainment pavilion doors, windows, and wrought iron steel
was a necessity with new boundary pergolas, were re-used in the design. All
walls added for additional privacy. existing, originally blacksmith crafted,
• Existing parking facilities were wrought iron steel fences, were re-used
insufficient. A new interleading and incorporated in the new boundary
garage as well as additional covered walls, and entrance sliding gates.
and guest parking had to be A significant cost was incurred in
considered in the redesign. the design and construction of garden
• Ground floor living areas consisting retaining walls, and levelling the sloping
of entrance foyer, guest bathroom, garden, and new boundary walls for
library, lounge and dining room, privacy and security. The northern
and living room had to be mainly retaining wall and levelled garden provide
refurbished. sufficient space for a new pool pavilion
• The kitchen had to be upgraded, positioned to the east, in order to provide
enlarged and modernised. privacy from the neighbouring property.
• The three dark first floor bedrooms The pavilion overlooks the pool and
had small windows not utilising garden. One of the existing steel pergolas
views, and the rooms shared only was re-used and provides extended
two bathrooms. The challenging outdoor space. Views from the garden are

18 Issue 273 • dw