House SAR by Nico van der Meulen Architects, A Light-Filled Transformation in Atholl
Architecture Design of House SAR
Description About The Project
House SAR by Nico van der Meulen Architects is a contemporary renovation in Atholl, Johannesburg, redefining light, openness, and indoor–outdoor living through steel, glass, and a reimagined roofscape.
The Project “House SAR” Information:
- Project Name: House SAR
- Location: Atholl, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Designed by: Nico van der Meulen Architects
- Interior Design: M Square Lifestyle Design
Reimagining a Modest Home Through Light and Space
Located in the leafy suburb of Atholl, Johannesburg, House SAR stands as a refined contemporary transformation by Nico van der Meulen Architects. Designed by Werner van der Meulen, the project reworks an originally modest single-storey pitched-roof house into a luminous, open-plan family home defined by clarity, material precision, and natural light.
“The brief was clear,” explains Werner van der Meulen. “Every space needed to feel open, connected, and naturally lit—something the original house simply could not achieve.”
Limited garden access and poor daylight penetration became the driving forces behind a complete architectural rethinking rather than a superficial renovation.
A New Roof as the Architectural Catalyst
One of the most significant interventions was the removal of the existing tiled pitched roof, replaced by a floating flat roof system. This move immediately transformed the interior atmosphere, allowing daylight to penetrate deep into the living spaces.
A raised passage roof introduces northern light into the core of the house while simultaneously illuminating the guest bedroom on the Southern side. Here, a carefully positioned atrium draws morning sunlight into the bathroom and promotes natural ventilation—an elegant solution to both light and comfort.
“The roof became the key to solving the house’s relationship with winter sun and daylight,” notes the architect.
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A Layered Entrance of Steel, Shadow, and Texture
Arrival at House SAR is defined by a sculptural composition of steel columns, beams, and floating planes. Louvered screens discreetly conceal the four garages, while each architectural plane—roof, wall, and floor—is expressed through a distinct material, texture, or tone.
At the center of the entrance sequence, a suspended steel-framed cube appears to hover above the ground, setting the tone for what lies beyond. A frameless glass pivot door opens into a minimalist yet welcoming entrance hall, where restraint and warmth coexist.
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Living Spaces Designed for Openness
Inside, large glass sliding doors ensure that nearly every room opens directly onto the garden. The boundaries between interior and exterior dissolve entirely when these openings are retracted, allowing the kitchen, lounge, family room, and lanai to function as one continuous living environment.
Double-volume spaces and high-level windows enhance the sense of generosity, giving vertical dimension to what remains largely a single-storey home.
“Indoor–outdoor living is not an aesthetic choice—it’s a way of life,” says van der Meulen. “Glass and steel allow us to achieve this seamlessly.”
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A Mezzanine Study as an Architectural Moment
While predominantly single level, House SAR introduces a first-floor study that adds spatial richness to the plan. The staircase leading to this mezzanine becomes an architectural feature in its own right—constructed in steel, framed with grey-tinted glass, and positioned to overlook both the garden and family room.
This elevated workspace remains visually connected yet acoustically private, reinforcing the home’s balance between openness and retreat.
Private Spaces with Architectural Continuity
The main bedroom suite is designed as a private sanctuary, incorporating its own lounge area and en-suite bathroom. Privacy from the garden is carefully managed through steel louvered screens and discreet spatial layering between the walk-in closet and bathroom.
Subtle details—such as the illuminated wall behind the headboard and horizontal louvers echoed from the exterior—create visual continuity between inside and out, reinforcing the holistic nature of the design.
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Interior Design Shaped by Light and Texture
The interior concept, developed by M Square Lifestyle Design, complements the architectural intent with a warm yet restrained palette. Long linear elements guide movement through the house while concealing functional components, maintaining a clean and uncluttered environment.
Materials such as OSB bulkheads and oak paneling introduce texture and warmth, extending from the entrance into the main living areas. A monochromatic palette shifts the focus away from color hierarchy toward material depth, shadow, and light.
“Rather than compete with light, the interior was designed to receive it,” the design team explains.
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A Contemporary Family Home Defined by Clarity
House SAR exemplifies Nico van der Meulen Architects’ long-standing commitment to open-plan living, indoor–outdoor integration, and architectural precision. Through strategic interventions—most notably the reimagined roof, layered light strategies, and extensive use of glass and steel—the house has been transformed into a contemporary family home that feels expansive, calm, and deeply connected to its garden setting.
The result is a residence where architecture, light, and daily life intersect effortlessly—quietly confident, highly functional, and unmistakably modern.
Photo credit: | Source: Nico van der Meulen Architects
For more information about this project; please contact the Architecture firm :
– Add: 43 Grove St, Ferndale, Randburg, 2194, South Africa
– Tel: +27 11 789 5242
– Email: marketing@nicovdmeulen.com
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