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House Sack
Cyrildene, Johannesburg, Gauteng
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Click to view map Coordinates: | An unusual cal-de-sac half acre [2000 sq m] site in Cyrildene, Johannesburg, with a 9-ft [2,7 m] drop of rock strategically placed, delightful views to the north and south, bounded by farmland to the east with a continuous boundary line of blue gums, offered the architect an opportunity to build his own house which was completed at the end of 1954. The accommodation designed to take advantage of excellent surrounding views and proactive changes in level, in addition to providing space for an average-size family, had to incorporate a studio for the owner's painting activity. The main informal living area, which flows directly on to a garden terrace, has been placed over the natural drop in the site, locating a double volume studio at the lower level. The studio itself also flows out on to a lower terrace, defined on the rock face which represents the north studio wall. An outdoor barbecue has been incorporated in this private and intimate area of the house. Bedroom wing, connected by a short passage, has been economically planned with easy access to a bathroom, and separate shower room containing a shaving basin. The main bedroom, separated from the garden by a large window and french doors, has been set back behind a small raised terrace defined by a roof space frame. The kitchen-breakfast-nook and laundry (accommodating a washing machine) have also been planned over the site drop with a servant's bathroom and storage area beneath. An open carport, immediately adjacent to the main entrance is also related to the kitchen through a small patio open to the sky which lets north sun into the kitchen. A clerestorey window over the north end of the kitchen as well as the dining room, offers a further window to the sky and sun, which in winter falls mainly into the dining area. Main construction was carried out in stock-brick, fair-faced on both sides, finished in P.V.A. both internally and externally, except in the bedrooms and service zones where the internal wall surfaces were plastered. The living areas, circulation and terraces were executed in "Slasto", with cork tiles in secondary bedrooms and edge-to-edge carpet in the main bedroom. Boarding and bitumen sheets pitched at about 5 degrees was used as a roof cover on a partially trussed construction supported on external walls and free-standing 4 1/2 in. [114 mm] by 3 in. [76 mm] timber posts. All gutters and downpipes were eliminated with fascia boards set 1 in. [25 mm] forward of the roof edge to contain the fall of rainwater behind. It is interesting to note that the architect contracted the building of the house himself with obvious benefits in the direction of a limited budget, and was also responsible for some of the internal joinery. Books that reference House Sack
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