Heritage Cases

Proposed Work and Motivation 1. Architectural ‘style’ departure. a. The current homes style is not true to its architectural period and associated characteristics. b. The homes main / front elevation is asymmetrical and some of the proportions are off, with the house having a multitude of juxtapositions (as well as to the roof) c. The home has a dark look to it, and modernising the style and facades will bring a sense of lightness to it. d. The proposal (style) and plaster and paintwork will compliment the immediate context, which features many newly renovated dwellings. 2. Street entrance gate redesigned. a. Posed a security risk, due to the size of the alcove on the street side, and with a reduction of this space, the current gable roof looks flimsy and out of proportion. b. We have rationalised the entry to give a quiet style of entry within the risk of vagrants sleeping at the front gate. c. This has been carefully considered in context of the other entries along the street. 3. New steps between driveway side and entrance/lawn side. Retaining wall to be demolished to steps width for opening. a. The two areas in the current design are separated, and one has to walk around the whole property or go out of the property to reach either side. This link allows for easy access between the two spaces that are disconnected. 4. Levelled retaining wall height (between front lawn and driveway). Wall bits above 1.2m above lawn level to be demolished. a. This retaining wall is currently excessively high in some parts, and reduces visibility from the main living spaces to the front of the property / where cars may be parked on the driveway or streetside. 5. Exterior: All walls to be repainted, plastered and painted where all new. a. Current brick facades give the dwelling a dark look, and are not cohesive with the other facades as well, with no structured design to patterning / placement of facebrick. b. Simplify the design and outlook of the house, giving it a modern touch. c. Adjacent properties are mostly plastered and painted throughout, and the dwelling would fit in with the immediate context. 6. Omission of bay windows to front / north elevation. a. A seamless link between the new kitchen / small lounge and front lawn necessitated for a big door (sliding door) to replace the bay window on the western side of the north elevation, however, balance (symmetry) was lost, thus, the omission of the other bay window as well. b. The bay windows were merely for aesthetic and light, and the goal is to simplify the façade. 7. Upper Ground Storey: Living areas reconfigured (and internal walls demolished) a. The existing plan of the living areas isn’t ideal. Much of the spaces are dark at varying times of the day due to each of the spaces being boxed-in. b. Layout revised to be open plan, to let more north light filter through the depth of the home. c. The current kitchen is too small and the units are damaged and outdated. 8. Upper Ground Storey: Private spaces reconfigured a. Main bedroom layout is amended to open up dressing area and add more cupboard space. b. Current en-suite was designed into a walk-in-BIC, and limited light and ventilation to space, with the revised layout, these points are addressed. c. Prayer space added to layout for religious belief purposes. d. Redesigned bathroom (guest WC) adjacent to bedroom 2. This bathroom currently has a lot of unused (wasted) space, including a bath that was barely used. 9. Upper Ground Storey: New Yard a. Existing design currently utilises a yard that’s situated next to the staff unit, an area that’s far from the main dwelling, and open to sky, and isn’t ideal with flow. New yard is easily accessible from the scullery area, and is screened off, with partial protection from the elements. 10. Upper Ground Storey: Timber Balcony / sundeck demolished. Replaced with smaller and regularised concrete slab balcony. a. Current balcony was casting a lot of shadows on the current back lawn area, and is high maintenance. b. The sundeck is a recent addition to the home, appearing on the 2005/7 approved plans. c. We have formalised this with a proportionate slabbed balcony that offers better protection from the elements for the living areas below and a better rainwater collection / reticulation. 11. Lower Ground Storey: Existing pool to be demolished, and new pool in new location. a. The shape and placement of the existing pool took up a lot of valuable lawn / recreational space. b. Placement of existing pool also has it in the shade for most parts of the day, and can’t be fully enjoyed. c. New pool is situated in an area that can exploit as much daylight as possible, and opens up the back lawn to more green space. 12. Lower Ground Storey: Gardens steps and walls to be demolished a. To regularise and open up the back lawn, these elements are demolished, and replaced with steps that intrude less on the recreational space. 13. Lower Ground Storey: Staircase to Upper Ground redesigned. a. Current staircase was hidden and not expressed, with the new staircase, light from the upper ground can filter down into the back parts of the Family Room. b. Better stair reticulation between both levels, with a common landing on upper ground (relative to staircase going to the mansard roof level) 14. Mansard Roof level: Existing roof to be demolished, for new redesigned roof, and layout revised. a. State of existing roof has deteriorated over the years, and needs structure replacement. b. Change of accommodation requirements to level. c. Roof areas are not optimally utilised. d. Roof structure currently is asymmetrical, and features many dormer roofs, with the latest roof additions looking disproportionate and squat, with low ceiling heights.