SAOTA: houghton MZ residence

‘houghton MZ residence’ by SAOTA, johannesburg, south africa image © adam letch and elsa young all images courtesy of SAOTA

designed for a large extended family in johannesburg, the ‘houghton residence’ by south african firm SAOTA boasts a greater number of inhabitants while maintaining their individual privacy. the U-shaped footprint, organized around a central open-air courtyard with a swimming pool, is split into essentially two residences with a shared entrance and driveway. the slight slope of the site creates an exterior yard that sits lower than the entrance level. a spiral stair case marks the pivot point of the dwelling, with living spaces and kitchen on the north side for natural light and the game rooms, pool and gym are to the west. a mostly black steel frame structure with round columns and expansive thermal glass walls make up the primary structure, with glossy marble floors and hard clean edges. large metal perforated screens help block out the setting sun and create layers of opacity in the transparent elevation. softer wood-paneled ceilings and sculpted interior walls add a sense of warmth to the neutral color palette.

view from the yard towards the courtyard image © adam letch and elsa young

courtyard and first residence image © adam letch and elsa young

swimming pool in the central courtyard image © adam letch and elsa young

image © adam letch and elsa young

image © adam letch and elsa young

image © adam letch and elsa young

image © adam letch and elsa young

spiral staircase as a central pivoting point around which all spaces are organized image © adam letch and elsa young

interior living space image © adam letch and elsa young

view from the upstairs image © adam letch and elsa young

marble floors contrast the wooden separating wall image © adam letch and elsa young

smaller living area image © adam letch and elsa young

upstairs living room image © adam letch and elsa young

kitchen image © adam letch and elsa young

office image © adam letch and elsa young

bathroom image © adam letch and elsa young

bedroom with cloth backdrop image © adam letch and elsa young

floor plan / level 0

floor plan / level 1

section

project info:

project name: 6th 1448 houghton zm location: houghton, johannesburg architects: saota – stefan antoni olmesdahl truen architects project team: greg truen & ina fourie interior design: antoni associates project team: mark rielly, ashleigh gilmour & sarika jacobs completion date: 2012