Welcome to the third quarter of 2022. We have passed the mid-way mark, changing of seasons, and what a year it has already been. From the COVID 19 pandemic lockdown, to ‘mask free’, Ukrainian crisis, to the ever-constant chase for climate change initiatives… we continue to adapt, welcoming new projects and returning clients alike.
In a recent workshop, Nico shared writer and philosopher Ayn Rand’s thoughts on building your own home:
“Most people build as they live as a matter of routine and senseless accident. But a few understand that building is a great symbol. We live in our minds, and existence is the attempt to bring that life into physical reality, to state it in gesture and form. For the man who understands this, a house he owns is a statement of his life. If he doesn’t build, when he has the means, it’s because his life has not been what he wanted.”
Nico’s sentiment, which applies to many of our clients who achieved a lot in their lives, and express it through the act of creating a well-designed and crafted home. This makes the sweat, tears and years of effort worthwhile as one appreciates everything that much more when one considers the journey it has taken to get there.
Currently, in the final stages of completion, we are inspired by Residence S and Culross Residence, which we look forward to sharing with you soon.
In Steyn City, KAHB residence is approaching a key milestone at roof level, and Riverglen Residence construction has commenced with basement excavations. House in Southern Africa is proceeding with co-ordination, and House Wonder in Mooikloof is ‘closing up’ and installing glazing in preparation for finishing stages.
From the planning and compliance desk, projects approaching tender, submission, approval at council and various estates includes Project 637 in Pearl Valley, Constantia Residence, House KHAY’ELISHA near Durban, Netshi villa in Steyn City, LATM Residence in Blue Hills and Mod in Waterkloof.
As a design office, we believe in a seamless and considered transition from exterior to interior through collaboration with our sister company M Square Lifestyle Design. Most projects on our website share this ‘total design’ philosophy (more here: https://www.nicovdmeulen.com/services/ ). Currently Bayview Residence in Hartenbos and Bryanston Residence are finalising their first approved interior design phases.
Within the same transition, we have two exciting leisure projects in progress, one of which is the exclusive, five-star, tented AM Lodge Manyeleti near the Kruger National Park. From a commercial aspect we are finalising Araneidae in Pretoria and commencing with an office redesign in Sandhurst.
Internationally, one of our villa proposals is in the marketing phase in Luštica Bay, while Kitisuru in Nairobi is proceeding well in the tender process. In our next Newsletter we’ll be sharing our design progress on a restaurant in Malawi, bespoke family home in Zambia and Sandhurst with two ‘gifted’ projects – one in Dar es Salam and the other in Zimbabwe.
The practice also featured in the CEO AFRICA FORUM 2022 Magazine and look forward to more exciting projects online – follow us on Instagram and Facebook to view our latest projects.
With a nod to Women’s month, we end off with another AR quote: “A building has integrity, just as a man and just as seldom! It must be true to its own idea, have its own form, and serve its own purpose!”.
Margot
for and on behalf of Nico, Werner, Michael, Chris and Justin
Welcome to the third quarter of 2022. We have passed the mid-way mark, changing of seasons, and what a year it has already been. From the COVID 19 pandemic lockdown, to ‘mask free’, Ukrainian crisis, to the ever-constant chase for climate change initiatives… we continue to adapt, welcoming new projects and returning clients alike.
In a recent workshop, Nico shared writer and philosopher Ayn Rand’s thoughts on building your own home:
“Most people build as they live as a matter of routine and senseless accident. But a few understand that building is a great symbol. We live in our minds, and existence is the attempt to bring that life into physical reality, to state it in gesture and form. For the man who understands this, a house he owns is a statement of his life. If he doesn’t build, when he has the means, it’s because his life has not been what he wanted.”
Nico’s sentiment, which applies to many of our clients who achieved a lot in their lives, and express it through the act of creating a well-designed and crafted home. This makes the sweat, tears and years of effort worthwhile as one appreciates everything that much more when one considers the journey it has taken to get there.
Currently, in the final stages of completion, we are inspired by Residence S and Culross Residence, which we look forward to sharing with you soon.
In Steyn City, KAHB residence is approaching a key milestone at roof level, and Riverglen Residence construction has commenced with basement excavations. House in Southern Africa is proceeding with co-ordination, and House Wonder in Mooikloof is ‘closing up’ and installing glazing in preparation for finishing stages.
From the planning and compliance desk, projects approaching tender, submission, approval at council and various estates includes Project 637 in Pearl Valley, Constantia Residence, House KHAY’ELISHA near Durban, Netshi villa in Steyn City, LATM Residence in Blue Hills and Mod in Waterkloof.
As a design office, we believe in a seamless and considered transition from exterior to interior through collaboration with our sister company M Square Lifestyle Design. Most projects on our website share this ‘total design’ philosophy (more here: https://www.nicovdmeulen.com/services/ ). Currently Bayview Residence in Hartenbos and Bryanston Residence are finalising their first approved interior design phases.
Within the same transition, we have two exciting leisure projects in progress, one of which is the exclusive, five-star, tented AM Lodge Manyeleti near the Kruger National Park. From a commercial aspect we are finalising Araneidae in Pretoria and commencing with an office redesign in Sandhurst.
Internationally, one of our villa proposals is in the marketing phase in Luštica Bay, while Kitisuru in Nairobi is proceeding well in the tender process. In our next Newsletter we’ll be sharing our design progress on a restaurant in Malawi, a bespoke family home in Zambia and two ‘gifted’ projects – one in Dar es Salam and the other in Zimbabwe.
The practice also featured in the CEO AFRICA FORUM 2022 Magazine and look forward to more exciting projects online – follow us on Instagram and Facebook to view our latest projects.
With a nod to Women’s month, we end off with another AR quote: “A building has integrity, just as a man and just as seldom! It must be true to its own idea, have its own form, and serve its own purpose!”.
Margot
for and on behalf of Nico, Werner, Michael, Chris and Justin