We tried to synchronize two important aspects of your house:
The first was the unchangeable roof, which limits the renovation considerably.
The second was the splendid vista available on both the front and back of your house
Our idea was to make the front and back walls of your house into a full curtain wall, thus eliminating the "institution" look it used to have with the rhytmic windows and colour. This way your whole house is a large window (the bathrooms of course have windows that are not transparent) to the open and thus the house comunicates with its surroundings. The flanks are left with the current window layout, so they offer protection from your neighbours, and along with the roof, mimic the surroundings. Since the house is on bearing walls, it is statically feasible that the facade is completely glazed in the curtain wall with metal mullions and supporting columns
The old stucco facade is replaced by a more modern (and yet pretty much classical) eco efficient stone cladding. Namely, stone cladding is the best material for mediterranean climates, as it can absorb a lot of moist, which wont break it, on the contrary, it will act as insulation and refresh the surroundings, stone is a problem only in areas with sudden temperature changes (which have to be very dramatic, such as desert climates). This stone panels are a bit craggy and so give ground for climbing plants that will help you have a green house and be efficient as they cool the air arround them (most climbing plants are very resistant).
The garage is redecorated to suite the new facade, and the pool is made larger, so it can be a mirror for the house. The house will also have a nice effect in the evening, the water will reflect on the glass and make an elegant pattern on the ceiling that will gently flow and give nice dynamic to the interior.
The interior is done according to the style, cultural context and position of the house. It is in a rustic/modern style with very warm colours, with pieces of wood, brass and wrought iron. The walls are in mediterranean palletes and add to the dynamic, some walls near the pool are of a soothing blue, whilst walls near the wine storage are with green contrast. The list of furniture is quite large, and the companies are both common and more designer oriented, so the costs are balanced. The bathroom and kitchen tiles are chosen to be light, white glazed and terracota, so the kitchen is very visible in the warm open space, and as consequence all know where the dining area and braai are. The floors are hardwood and a bit lighter than the furniture. The master bedroom has slightly different furniture, a bit more grandious and larger than the other rooms. The bathroom fixtures and door installations are chosen from companies that operate near your location and offer installation of the appliances.
We hope you like our project and thank you for your time
