Mara Residence by Nico van der Meulen Architects, A Sculptural Transformation at the Foot of the Soutpansberg
Architecture Design of Mara Residence
Description About The Project
Mara Residence by Nico van der Meulen Architects reimagines an existing structure in Limpopo into a contemporary hillside home, where floating volumes, textured materials, and layered views define a new architectural identity.
The Project “Mara Residence” Information:
- Project Name: Mara Residence
- Location: Makhado, Limpopo, South Africa
- Designed by: Nico van der Meulen Architects
A Hillside Setting in Limpopo’s Soutpansberg Region
Set in the scenic town of Makhado (Louis Trichardt), at the foothills of the Soutpansberg mountain range in South Africa’s Limpopo province, Mara Residence occupies a sloping site with sweeping views over the valley town to the south. The property faces an informal street at the crest of the hill, presenting both a challenge and an opportunity in terms of privacy, orientation, and spatial planning.
Originally a partially built structure with unresolved internal circulation, the house underwent extensive alterations and additions to transform it into a coherent contemporary residence that aligns with the design language of Nico van der Meulen Architects.
“The project was about unlocking potential—taking a fragmented layout and reshaping it into a fluid, experiential home,” the architects explain to Luxury Houses Magazine.
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Reworking the Plan to Restore Flow and Clarity
The design intervention focused first on resolving spatial inefficiencies within the existing structure. By reconfiguring the internal program and extending the building toward the East, the architects allowed the residence to sit more lightly on the site while opening up long, uninterrupted internal sightlines.
This eastward extension also enhanced the relationship between interior spaces and the surrounding landscape, ensuring that the home responds naturally to the slope rather than resisting it.
“Good architecture on a hillside is never about dominance,” notes Werner van der Meulen. “It’s about balance—how the building touches the ground and how it frames the view.”
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Floating Volumes and a Multi-Level Experience
One of the most striking gestures of Mara Residence is the way car showrooms appear to float above a newly introduced indoor swimming pool and entertainment space. This elevated volume is accessed via a secondary driveway at first-storey level, reinforcing the layered, multi-level nature of the home.
By separating arrival sequences and functional zones vertically, the architects created a residence that feels dynamic and sculptural, yet highly practical in daily use.
“The idea of floating elements allowed us to introduce drama without heaviness,” the studio shares. “Each level serves a distinct purpose while remaining visually connected.”
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Materiality as a Unifying Language
Material selection plays a key role in tying the old and new elements of the house together. Intricate aluminium screens were introduced across the façades, unifying the existing structure with the contemporary extensions while offering solar control and visual privacy.
Throughout the residence, exposed concrete and rough granite-clad walls establish a tactile architectural language. These materials contrast deliberately—smooth against rugged, refined against raw—creating depth and texture across both interior and exterior surfaces.
“Texture adds emotion to minimalism,” says van der Meulen. “It allows a restrained palette to feel rich and layered rather than flat.”
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Responding to Views and Informal Context
While the site opens toward an informal street, the architecture carefully controls visibility, directing primary views toward the valley below and the distant townscape. Screens, walls, and overhangs are strategically positioned to ensure privacy without sacrificing openness or daylight.
The result is a home that feels inwardly protected yet outwardly expansive, responding intelligently to its context rather than retreating from it.
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A Signature Transformation
Mara Residence stands as a compelling example of how thoughtful architectural intervention can completely redefine an underperforming structure. Through strategic extensions, floating volumes, and a refined material palette, Nico van der Meulen Architects transformed a poorly planned shell into a distinctive contemporary residence rooted in place.
As Luxury Houses Magazine notes, the project reinforces the studio’s reputation for turning complexity into clarity, and for crafting homes that balance bold architectural expression with everyday livability.
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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