Wrapped & revealed Monochromatic colours define this former abode

CONTEMPORARY COOL SITS HAPPILY BESIDE A SENSE OF HISTORY IN THIS CLEVERLY DESIGNED ABODE

Though Christo and Nico’s home is now a picture of charm and witty design details, when they first discovered the house, it was in an advanced state of disrepair. Their little corner of South Africa’s Johannesburg is full of humble brick workers’ cottages, built en masse for returned servicemen in the wake of World War II, yet there was little of historical value left to preserve in this particular example. But, with backgrounds in design – Christo is a textile designer-turned-builder and Nico is an urban designer – the couple could see the potential in the dilapidated building and were in love with the location enough to overlook any difficulties. “Every location has a spirit or character to it,” says Nico.

One of the highlights of the site was the view across a low valley to the city’s landmark Brixton Tower, an unexpected snapshot of the cosmopolitan architecture that inspired several features of the build, including a glass vestibule linking the main house and garage-turned-studio. This offered an unimpeded view of the tower, and an outdoor fireplace that echoes the lofty structure on a smaller scale. “The idea was to anchor the tower in the house,” says Nico, who wanted to reinforce the home’s connection with the nearby city, as well as the surrounding streets.

Though the house was light on salvageable period details, its rich history has not been forgotten, with the newly renovated design riffing on the materials of the original building. The old corrugated iron roof is given a modern interpretation in zinc cladding that covers the old brickwork, while the new brick walls have been left exposed. “We wanted it to look like an old thing that’s been revived,” says Christo. “The idea is that people feel something familiar, but see something contemporary.”

The abode is one of contrast – old meeting new, light against dark, raw and rough materials sitting happily alongside the sleek and modern – but the one constant is a feeling of being a part of the little urban world around it. “Although it’s modernised, the house is connected to the city, it’s connected to the street,” says Nico. The line between the quiet sanctuary of the home and the bright lights of Johannesburg is blurred, creating a feeling of belonging.

STUDYFramed by the glass vestibule, the study space forms a pretty vignette visible from the living room. The vintage desk and clear polycarbonate chair make a perfect pairing of opposites, while the lush potted greenery adds a pleasing organic element. Enough parquet flooring was salvaged from the rest of the house to line just this one room.