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Studio-Home
Johannesburg, Gauteng
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Click to view large map Coordinates: | Architect's Notes Brixton Studio-Home The Brixton Studio-Home is a compact live-work compound for an architect couple and their young children. The existing buildings have been altered over a 100-year period from corner shop to cooking school to student commune, and now architects’ office and home. In order to conserve a modest budget, the existing structures were harvested by re-using and reconfiguring materials and elements. In this way the altered complex enters into dialogue with its own history. The Victorian veranda still characterising the area is reincarnated as a 'floating' first floor balcony providing a connection to the street over the boundary wall. The first floor addition borrows the sectional profile of the neighbouring house, a modest corrugated corner shop listed as a national monument. Corrugated sheeting on the south facade breaks the scale of the double storey and enters into a material dialogue with the historic neighbour. Whilst the additions can be clearly identified as contemporary the complex is conceived as a whole in which the various re-used parts such as the original sash windows, shutters and pressed ceilings provide clues to the history of the site. This history is self-evident in some parts and slightly mysterious in others where old elements re-appear in the new settings. Brixton's Victorian heritage, whilst under threat, is also enlivened through a diverse citizenry not too concerned with appearances but appreciating the convenience of children playing in the street, shopping in spazas and corner cafes, repairing and washing cars on pavements, conversing from verandas and over low walls or winding down in taverns and boutique B&B's. The studio-home forms part of, and benefits from, this condition with its architecture telling a story of its past. Award of Merit citation Brixton, the suburb where this project is situated, is one of the oldest (mainly) working-class suburbs in Johannesburg. Topographically, it bears the distinction that it straddles the watershed between the Atlantic and Indian Oceans that traverses this part of the city. This means that the suburb is situated on one of the highest points in the city. From the start, its relatively small properties resulted in a fine urban grain. Despite the suburb being well situated in terms of work, leisure opportunities and its proximity to metropolitan connector routes, the change that gentrification or urban decay can inflict on an urban area has largely passed it by. The change that has occurred is of a slower and more incremental nature. The population living in Brixton is, like that of many inner-city areas, highly diverse and cosmopolitan. Most residents have lived here for a relatively long period of time; long enough to form lasting bonds with the place and the other inhabitants. This has resulted in a pronounced pride in, and ownership of, the area by the majority of its residents. Brixton is well served internally with retail, work, recreation and social opportunities -all mostly within walking distance. The studio-house at 30 Wimbledon Road is one of several examples where life and work occur on the same premises. The architects and owners, Anne GRAUPNER and Thorsten DECKLER of 26'10 south Architects, were careful to painstakingly document the process of evolution that their home and studio underwent prior to their involvement in it. They have, in an equally careful manner, envisaged a possible future expansion of the property. The first building on the site, a corner shop, was erected in 1906. In 1931, a classroom was added to the back of the property. Thereafter, the school was converted into a residence. This changed into a cooking school and then, again, into student accommodation. It was only then that this structure was converted into the current home and office. The outstanding aspect of this project is the architects' respect for the continuity of change that the group of buildings has undergone. The understanding that has been shown here is equal to the respect that the architects have shown to the social continuities of the neighbourhood. From the start, they made it clear that their intention was to be good neighbours, architecturally as well as socially - and they have proved themselves to be such. Their architectural act shows a fundamental belief in the value of urban living.The way in which they have accommodated their own specific requirements is, in essence, generic and not too specific. It is not too difficult to imagine that the buildings will be suitable to be used for different purposes in the future. In this way, the building will continue to prove its continued resilience - like all good urban buildings. All the spaces that have been created have a generality and multiplicity of use inherent in them. The way in which the building continues to define public urban space is equal to the way in which it defines private open space. It fits seamlessly and humbly into its context, as well as into many proven urban models of development. The architects were equally brave in that they have applied their considerable talent and financial investment in the face of a perception of urban decline. With this visionary act, they have also set a worthy example to follow. Not only that, but they've created a group of buildings that is a source of quiet delight to many. (Paul Kotze - 2014) References:
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