12-12-2013
House Serengeti by Nico van der Meulen Architects.
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- House Serengeti by Nico van der Meulen Architects.
![House Serengeti by Nico van der Meulen Architects.
House Serengeti by Nico van der Meulen Architects.](https://www.floornature.com/media/photos/38/9078/1_house-serengeti-by-nico-van-der-meulen-architects_home_sez.jpg)
![](/media/photos/38/9078/sustainable_house_serengeti _rudolphvandermeulen_1.jpg)
The word “Serengeti” immediately conjures up images of wild animals living in unspoiled nature.
![](/media/photos/38/9078/sustainable_house_serengeti _rudolphvandermeulen_2.jpg)
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However, the location of the residential project by South African practice, Nico van der Meulen Architects, is the golf and wildlife estate near Johannesburg and not the national park in Tanzania, and it really engages with its surroundings. Actually, this building takes the concept of the environment inside and extends it outdoors.
![](/media/photos/38/9078/sustainable_house_serengeti _rudolphvandermeulen_01.jpg)
![](/media/photos/38/9078/sustainable_house_serengeti _rudolphvandermeulen_pool.jpg)
The materials used – very hardwearing Balau wood together with Corten steel and glass – give it the appearance of being part of the natural environment, but they also have a specific strategic purpose in the home’s eco-friendly design: the thick stone western wall absorbs heat, the windows are set back from the façade and they block direct sunlight in summer and catch it in the winter. The roof is made from Chromadek steel and timber to provide perfect insulation.
![](/media/photos/38/9078/sustainable_house_serengeti _rudolphvandermeulen_kitchen.jpg)
An idyllic place to make the most of the fascinating South African nature, with interior design by M Square Lifestyle.
Designed by: Rudolph van der Meulen, http://www.nicovdmeulen.com
Location: Serengeti, Johannesburg, South Africa
Photographs by: David Ross