Riverglen Residence by Nico van der Meulen Architects, A Carved Stone Sanctuary in Steyn City
Architecture Design of Riverglen Residence
Description About The Project
Riverglen Residence by Nico van der Meulen Architects is a monolithic stone home in Steyn City, Johannesburg, defined by carved voids, courtyard living, and a refined balance between privacy and openness.
The Project “Riverglen Residence” Information:
- Project Name: Riverglen Residence
- Location: Steyn City, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Designed by: Nico van der Meulen Architects
A Monolithic Presence Within Steyn City
Situated within the prestigious Steyn City estate on the outskirts of Johannesburg, Riverglen Residence presents itself as a solid stone form—quiet, restrained, and deliberately introspective. Rather than immediately revealing its interior life, the house reads as a monolithic edifice, carefully carved to respond to its environment, views, and the daily rhythms of its inhabitants.
“The idea was to create a building that feels protected and grounded,” says Nico van der Meulen. “From the outside, it reads as solid and private, but once inside, it reveals a much more nuanced and fluid spatial experience.”
This duality—between mass and void, openness and retreat—defines the architectural language of the residence.
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Carved Voids and Controlled Views
The architecture is conceived as a stone volume from which spaces are carved away, revealing hidden courtyards, framed views, and moments of surprise. These voids are not arbitrary; they are carefully positioned to allow or restrict views depending on function, orientation, and desired privacy.
Openings toward the East and South capture long, expansive vistas, while more controlled apertures ensure the home remains shielded from neighboring properties. This selective engagement with the landscape creates a sense of calm and introspection throughout the residence.
“Privacy was as important as openness,” van der Meulen explains. “We wanted the house to reveal itself slowly, allowing the experience to unfold through movement rather than spectacle.”
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Courtyard Typology as the Spatial Anchor
Responding to the site conditions and northern access, Riverglen Residence is organized around a central courtyard—a timeless typology reinterpreted for contemporary living. The courtyard acts as the heart of the home, physically and visually separating public and private zones while remaining constantly accessible.
This spatial strategy allows daily life to flow intuitively around the courtyard, encouraging natural ventilation, daylight penetration, and a strong connection to nature. The courtyard is not merely a circulation device but a lived-in space—one that mediates between openness and enclosure.
“The courtyard becomes the emotional center of the house,” says van der Meulen. “It’s the space that connects family life while still allowing moments of retreat.”
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Layered Living Across Three Levels
The three-storey residence is carefully programmed to reflect different modes of living. The basement level is dedicated to entertainment, offering generous social spaces alongside discreet, hidden parking. Despite being partially submerged, these areas maintain a sense of comfort and connection through controlled light and spatial openness.
On the ground floor, multiple platformed and open-plan arrangements blur the boundary between interior and exterior. Living, dining, and entertainment areas extend seamlessly outward, allowing the house to adapt effortlessly between intimate family life and larger social gatherings.
The first floor offers a deliberate contrast—a quiet retreat from the openness below. Here, the architecture slows down, distilling daily life to rest, reflection, and privacy. The main bedroom and children’s bedrooms are separated by the courtyard, reinforcing both independence and connection within the family structure.
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Architecture Defined by Duality
At its core, Riverglen Residence is an exploration of architectural duality. The carved stone form offers protection and privacy, while the internal voids, courtyards, and open-plan spaces allow the home to transform when required.
“The carving of the stone volume was our response to the context,” van der Meulen reflects. “It allows the house to be both introverted and open—adapting to different moments, moods, and ways of living.”
Through its disciplined materiality, thoughtful spatial sequencing, and deep sensitivity to context, Riverglen Residence stands as a refined example of contemporary luxury architecture—one that prioritizes experience, balance, and longevity over excess.
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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