Bedrooms for high-end property owners

Nico van der Meulen Architects have designed a large numbers of luxury homes. When Nico was asked a few questions about
designing bedrooms for such homes he came up with these points based on his extensive experience.

- A main bedroom in a luxury house is never seen on its own, in isolation, no, the main suite comprises much more than this.

It can include, but is not limited to, an en suite bathroom, private lounge, private bar, entertainment area, kitchenette,

his and hers dressing rooms etc. If you are designing for billionaires, the main suite may be up to 300sq.m.

- There will either be his and her bathrooms, or at least a spa bath, double shower, steam room and/or sauna. A separate
toilet and basin off the private lounge is usually required, with a view if possible.

- A panic room is often requested, with a phone, panic button, CCTV monitor and a fridge with drinks and snacks. Often this

panic room will either be a walk in safe, or will contain one.

- The lounge will sometimes have space for a desk to work at, a private dining area and sometimes even a studio space if

either of the couple dabbles in art.

- They expect a big screen television in both the bedroom and lounge and often in the bathroom and on the balcony as well.

Wifi and a personal dual view High Definition satellite decoder, combined with home automation and top notch sound system

is required in both the lounge area, bedroom and even the bathroom.

- There is under-floor heating all the way through to the bathroom and air conditioning everywhere. Special lighting effects

are created with dimming, colour changing lights, etc

- A lobby at the entrance to the suite with a butler’s pantry where meals can be served without the staff coming into the

private space is a must, while some clients require their own private gym with a separate entrance for a private trainer.

Another request we often get is for a private staircase leading to the main suite, to enable the lady of the house to get

up to main suite without having to use the main stairs

- Part of the bedroom’s balcony should be roofed to enable them to use it during light rain or when the sun is very hot,

with fireplace or firepit on the balcony. A water feature, splash pool or jacuzzi on the balcony is often requested.

- We would always ensure that the main suite faces north with some smaller east facing windows. Normally the north wall

would be floor to ceiling, wall to wall glass, and usually frameless sliding/stacking doors. Obviously, you want the main

suite to have the best view so the bedroom may have several windows facing in different directions to catch the best light

as well as the best views.

- With regards to security, the main suite is usually on the first or second floor and roller shutter doors in the ceiling

are connected to the home automation system and the alarm

Ten reasons why you should appoint an architect

11 June 2012

1. Aesthetics.

An architect is concerned with aesthetic issues, manipulating proportions, alignments, masses, volumes and materials to

create a sensible, pleasing building which can be enjoyed by the occupants as well as the public.

2. Allow for your tastes and requirements.

An architect will try and get into the clients’ psyche to read what they want and with that tailor the design to their

unique style and requirements in a sagacious way without trying to impose his or her own taste and preferences.

3. Overall project understanding.

Architects that are involved from the start of the project are in the position to gain a better understanding of your

particular requirements and develop unique solutions and propose ways to reduce costs.

4. Cost efficient.

An architect is knowledgeable with good cost efficient products available on the market and knows how to plan within your

budget to ensure you get best value for money and good quality fittings.

6. Contractor advice.

An architect can recommend contractors who might be well suited for your particular building project. He or she might

also be involved in coordinating a team of specialist consultants to ensure the overall well being of the final product.

7. Plan for the future.

An architect can look beyond your immediate requirements to design your home to be able to adapt and extend if necessary

to your families’ changing needs.

8. Functionality.

Architects create homes that are pleasing and functional for those who use or live in them. Such a professional tailors a

design to take into account particular needs and locations.

9. Environment.

Houses designed by architects will be sensitive to its surrounding environment and will use all natural elements, topography

or views to the best use of the site within the specific client requirements.

10. Project management.

Architects can manage your project from site selecting to completions constantly providing you advice or solutions to the

choices you as the client face, saving you valuable time and provide you with complete peace of mind.

This post was first posted on: DesignMind on February 15, 2012 at 12:52

Publication

5 June 2012

Six houses designed by NICO VAN DER MEULEN ARCHITETS were recently published in an

international design book.

The book is titled International style Villa and features work from America, Europe, Asia,

Oceania and Africa.

The African work published is solely Nico van der Meulen’s design work.

The book has arrived and a few snapshots were taken:

When form really does follow function
14 March 2012

“Form follows function” is a principle associated with modern architecture where the belief

is that the shape of the building is primarily based upon the intended function and purpose of the building.

Professor F.A Porsche said “If you analyse the function of an object, its form often becomes

obvious.”

In architecture, functionality should always be given higher priority than the form, considering

we spend our entire lives inhabiting the structures we’ve designed rather than admiring their external appearances.

Nico van der Meulen is most often referred to as one of South Africa’s leading contemporary

architects. However to associate this architectural practise with a specific style would be inaccurate considering the

buildings we design are purposed to be functional first and their striking forms are merely a result of this.

Across all fields, engineers are trained to make things work. Whilst their entire focus

is aimed at making something functional, architects often get carried away in the desire to create beautiful buildings

while neglecting the practicality of their designs.

Combining the best of both fields, with Nico being a qualified engineer before he explored

the field of architecture, it’s seems that this basic principle of engineering is what is at the core of making

Nico van der Meulen’s designs so successful. With a focus on creating beautiful functional designs it is definite

that the forms we create really do follow the function they are intended for.

Functionalism is our design philosophy and whilst our facades could have any form,

and be associated with any style, our buildings will always remain functional.