Everything is connected

The use of airbricks for the balustrades on the upper level of Asher and Gina Stolz’s Johannesburg home is a practical way of maintaining a visual connection between the upstairs and downstairs areas, enhanced by striking geometric patterns. A faceted, pyramid-shaped skylight pours natural light into the centre of the house through a lightwell or ‘cut-out’ in the first-floor slab, which creates an exaggerated sense of space with its double-volume height.

“The whole house is very interconnected, multifunctional and open,” says architect Gregory Katz. “Even though it’s small, it still feels spacious.” The interesting plant trellises make for a pleasing inversion of expectation, almost as if the centre of the house were an outdoor balcony. The trellises and airbricks also allow for natural ventilation. “We really wanted to maximise garden space, condense living space, and use the areas inside cleverly,” says Asher. >>