Douglas & Firm founders rework 120-year-old cottage in Cape City

Architects Liani and Jan Douglas have reworked a century-old home in Inexperienced Level, Cape City, into a contemporary residence the place they’ll showcase their distinctive furnishings designs.

The pair, who lead South African structure and design studio Douglas & Firm, utterly remodelled the inside of the 120-year-old cottage and added a brand new storey on high.

Referred to as Arklow Villa III, the property types a part of a trio of similar cottages on the road. The brand new design goals to have a good time its unique options, whereas additionally bringing it into the 21st century.

“We made the choice to do what was proper for the constructing, relatively than to strictly adhere to a short,” defined Liani Douglas.

“The purpose was to rework an insular single-storey dwelling right into a light-filled, two-level home,” she informed Dezeen. “However we additionally needed to retain the particular soul of the home.”

“Though in dire want of a facelift, it had an actual persona pre-renovation,” she continued.

The couple purchased the home in 2012 and lived in it for a number of years earlier than beginning their refurbishment. This gave them loads of time to work out precisely what they needed to do.

The entrance facade was made to look similar to the way it did earlier than, to nonetheless match with its neighbours, regardless that the unique veranda was changed with a brand new one that’s extra light-weight in look.

The brand new first ground is basically invisible from the entrance, save for a pair of latest dormer home windows that puncture the unique roof. The rear facet is a unique story – right here a brand new double dormer extends all the way in which throughout the roof to create the additional area.

South African pine was used to construct the brand new structural parts. This materials is left uncovered all through the inside, bringing a heat to each present and new rooms.

“In South Africa, pine is a sustainable timber that’s available and extensively used within the building business,” stated Liani. “Nonetheless it’s usually hidden away behind plasterboard, and never celebrated as an attractive materials in its personal proper.”

Among the unique roof trusses, eliminated throughout the renovation, have additionally been reused to create characterful particulars within the dwelling areas.

The structure of the bottom ground follows the unique ground plan, however with a couple of important modifications.

The previous entrance foyer, lounge and eating room have been mixed right into a beneficiant open-plan dwelling area, whereas the previous rest room is changed by a small en-suite slotted between the bed room and examine, leaving area for a brand new courtyard on the rear.

SAOTA designs residence round panoramic Cape City views

A master suite, rest room and comfortable are situated on the ground above. The staircase main as much as them begins as a easy picket stair, however turns into extra of a spiral in direction of the highest.

The inside decor is modern, with midcentury classics just like the Hay J110 chair paired with a number of Douglas & Firm designs, together with the Eileen Grey-inspired E1027 Credenza sideboard and items from the Mr Value Dwelling vary.

Within the eating space, mismatched chairs encompass a sizeable desk. A easy pendant gentle is positioned overhead, whereas the pair’s McSorley’s Fantastic Saloon trolley sits alongside.

“The smooth gentle supplies an excellent habitat for our a lot liked houseplants, ensuing within the trolley being full of greenery relatively than our favorite tipple,” added Liani.

The kitchen boasts custom-designed items topped with a vibrant inexperienced marble. Right here, a brick ground extends out into the courtyard.

The home additionally encompasses a rainwater-harvesting system that companies the washer, dishwasher and bogs, serving to to cut back the constructing’s reliance on Cape City’s depleted water provides.

Different not too long ago accomplished residential initiatives in Cape City embrace SOATA’s Kloof 119A, a home with hanging views of Desk Mountain.

Pictures is by David Southwood.