Meik architecture + design

🤩 😍🤩
When the photographer sends you project photos and they are this amazing! Thank-you for the wonderful photos of our MM Residence.

These are the main bedrooms cupboards we designed through MiNT (Meik Interiors). We offer this service as it provides a seamless service for busy clients.

Efficient use of space is essential in cupboard design. Here the client also wanted to display shoes, handbags and accessories! So we designed that to be the focal point of the space and used in cupboard lighting to ensure that they are the focal point. 👠 👜 ⌚️

Our design philosophy centers around 'creative' being a solution, while creating beauty. In simple terms design should be practical as well as beautiful. It should be considered and well thought out. We see way to many designs where it's only about what it looks like, but does it work?

This is a guiding principle to our work, and is why we take time to generate a detailed brief, with clients via our our Brief Generator, before jumping ahead into design.

Always ask about how a brief will be generated when considering an architect to work with. It's the most important part of any projects success.

Contractor: .co.za
Lighting:
Vinyl Flooring:
Cupboard Material:

Decorex Day!

Whew...we came, we saw, we had strawberries and chocolate and I feel in love with the new range of basins from the Concrete Corporation!

Some other locals brands we loved were:
• Mixx Cement
• Kalki Ceramics
• Kiln House Design Studio
• Klay (breeze blocks)

My feet are tired but it's wonderful to see local design and products. Local is lekker and supporting local suppourts South Africa.

Often photos don't do a place or a space justice!

I feel like I can't take enough photos of this deck to do it justice (I will send a professional to try).
The pergola wraps down to become a privacy screen for the plunge pool.
I love it when clients are open to being adventurous!
It's just such a great light element contracted against the house.

I can see myself out here....😉😎

The North East side of the house looks out over a green belt. The kitchen has been placed on this side to look out over the green belt and to get some east sun, in the morning.

Curved screen walls create privacy for bathrooms and contain outdoor showers for the two bedroom suites located on either side of theh kitchen. The curved form echoes the round windows used in the gable ends and contrasts the strong linear form of the house. Thats 'archi' speak, but it makes them interesting and adds depth and to the facade!

The star of the show is undoubtedly the deck that connects the house with the golf course and river beyond!

It's incredible to go and visit a house you designed, and it's turned out way better than you could ever have dreamed it would! This bespoke home was incredible to work on alongside the owners, who had such a great vision of the industrial-style home they wanted.

'Leroni Parys' was completed earlier this year and I was thrilled to be in Parys today and visit her. My houses are like my other children. I am thrilled that this one has turned out so well!

The house consists of '3 barns'. The living space is in the central barn and bedrooms and the kitchen are in the side 'barns'. This way no space is wasted on passages.
In addition, a loft suite is situated above the garage.

Those rainwater tanks you see are not just decorative, they are the backup water supply, as the area has water supply issues.
There are so many other thoughtful details in this house. All the services are concealed, and a smart utility closet houses lawnmowers and garden equipment. More on that in another post!

This post is dedicated to this amazing street front and entrance.

Curb appeal nailed without sacrificing privacy, as a small courtyard encloses the entrance. Shutters to the guest suite move and can be closed for privacy and security.

What do you think?

Ahhhhhh, Sunday.

I could spend it here....
Daring renovation from a while back with an awesome patio.

If you don't have that lekker patio yet, maybe its time to give us a call.
Have a good Sunday out there!

☀️

I thought we'd stay with Patio's!

In South Africa, we have a lounge and a dining room, then have another lounge dining room that's outside! We call the Patio and spend 80% of our time out there! Am I right or am I right? 😅

The patio is an essential addition to any home in South Africa!
It acts as an extension to the living area, adds a room to the house, is a place to gather or be alone and enjoy the amazing weather! On the highveld at least the enjoy the weather part, is true for most of the year!

Looking back we have had the privilege of designing some amazing patios!

Because the Patio is so important to how we live it's important to make sure the space is designed to be a success. At Meik we use a brief generator to ensure that all the finer details of your build are covered, so that your patio does everything you need it to.
We'd love to hear what you want most from a patio!

Have a good weekend.

☀️

It's the weekend Baby!

For me, that means riding a mountain bike and chilling in a sunny, outdoor spot afterwards, taking in that good SA sunshine accompanied by a braai! 🚴‍♀️ 😎🌞

As South Africans we love being outdoors and what better way to add value to your home than a big, lekker patio! This one is fresh off the 'drawing board' for a reno we are busy with. While the client didn't ask for a Boma the slope presented the perfect opportunity to add a Boma, cut back some of the vegetation and connect the pool area with the new mega patio. We presented it and the client loved the idea. 😍

As an architect is rewarding to create spaces for living that people love to be in.

Remember we have a Reno Guide to help you get your renovation started. Its in our bio so just hit the link and download it.
Or even just ask me any questions you might have right here!

Have a great weekend whatever that means for you! 😉

A home one designs becomes a part of you...

Being part of the build process, choosing all the finishes, and designing the interior architecture items is incredibly rewarding and personal!
They become like my children, except they are my houses and other people live in them! 😉 In fact, I often miss my clients after the build process as we've generally seen them very often for a year (or two).

I can't wait to see this wonderful landscaping once it's settled.
Great work done by the contractor on the home and the landscaping.
The viewing deck on the roof is also looking amazing! That has a baby spekboom hedge that will add to the screening of the space.

If you think a new build is daunting, with the right team it need not be.
It's all about making sure you like the people you are going to work with and then ensuring their competence. If you'd like more info on how to choose an architect let me know down in the comments as I am considering a video series, where all the questions our clients ask will be explored and unpacked.

Contractor:
Timber:
Pool:

Lobby Love ❤

The lobby of this bespoke home also has a timber roof (green stuff) that floats above the void filling it with light and welcoming guests. We opted for this solution as the lobby is almost tucked away within the access sequence of the home, but needed to be welcoming and light.
A cloak space and a guest loo are tucked away for privacy and easy access. No guest loo should be too close for comfort... that's just one of our design principles!
Curious? Yes, we have design principles. A main bedroom should aways be on the 'sweet spot' of the site and NEVER be near the driveway. No one wants to be woken by car lights or noise. If you're interested chat to us and find out more about how we design.

If you're looking for a bespoke home, that's not cookie-cutter, we may be the right fit for your project. We see, "creative as a solution" and strive for our homes to be both practical, sustainable and aesthetic.

It's been an absolute pleasure working with these wonderful clients, and a great team on this unique home.

Contractor:
Flooring:
Lighting: Lighting
Pendant fitting lobby:
Pendant Guest Loo:
Tiles:
Tapware:

Happy Friday Mense!

Thought I'd share some patio love from this bespoke home that is nearing completion.

Did you know that we offer a full service that'll guide you from start to finish?
So from your patio dream to your patio reality, we'll advise you, check feasibility, help you draw up your brief, design your home once, and take care of all the approvals.

Then we'll help you get prices, we'll help you choose and coordinate all the finishes, and we'll have fun designing the interior items and watching your home take shape!

Enjoy the weekend!

Contractor:

A sneak peek of the master bathroom...😍
The master suite bathroom opens onto an outdoor shower courtyard and makes use of classic white sanitary ware coupled with beautiful champagne taps from Meir.

I can't wait to see it complete!

Contractor: Urban Creations
Tiles and Vinyl from :
Lights supplied by:
Stonen tops:
Champagne Tapware:
Bath and Basins:

ENVY...😎
Loving how the master suite cupboards have turned out.
When the client asked for glass I was sceptical as I am not a lover of bling...
I am blown away by how elegant this installation is.
The central display is for shoes, hats and other accessories.

Look out for more as we finish this house.

It's been amazing to get to site this week and see this special home taking shape!
We were appointed to design the home and to design many of the interior items. So this home is really like my own! Yes, I have lots of houses that I get intimately involved with 😊. It's wonderful when we get to work alongside client all the way from dream to reality and we've been so fortunate to do just that on this wonderful home.

We're almost there so look out for more photos and short video snippets as we get this home across the line.

Contractor: Urban Creations
Tiles and Vinyl from :
Flooring from:
Lights supplied by:
Stonen tops:
Kitchen and bar material: Unipanel SA
Champagne Tapware:

Staying with the theme of developments, we've been involved in developing this home in Helderfontien Estate, in Johannesburg.

This home packs a punch of accommodation options!
An open-plan living area includes a lounge, kitchen, utility, dining room, bar and a covered patio. The home has 3 garages.
With flexibility in mind, the third garage has been designed so that it can easily be converted to a home office, gym, or whatever the homeowner needs.
The first floor has 4 ensuite bedrooms, a Pajama lounge, a generous linen closet and a study nook.

If you're looking for a new home, why not this one?
Contact us for more details.

We design bespoke homes, so jumped at the opportunity to do some development type work. Thankfully the client understands that high-quality, and living spaces design will set him apart from similar developments. On top of that, he understands the importance of good orientation and how this impacts the interior climate of the buildings and helps them consume less power for heating and cooling.

The challenge - a limited material palette is available in this country.
BUT - we love a challenge!
We're happy with the design of these elegant 3 bedroom homes, that employ subtle elements to add detail that elevate the design.

The units consist of an open-plan living space on the ground floor, and have a separate guest toilet and utility space. The first floor houses 2 bedrooms and an ensuite master suite. Each unit has a carport and a patio that opens onto the garden.

I could live here, how about you?

Another recently completed home!
Set in an urban estate this courtyard homes masterpiece is its open plan living shed, where the steel portal frames are expressed and juxtaposed against a warm timber ceiling. We love brave clients.

We love getting site photos from happy clients!
We were fortunate to work on this special bespoke project for special clients.
The industrial sheds contain a central living area that opens onto the golf course and river. An enclosed patio opens onto a deck covered by a pergola (seen in the first image). Bedrooms and utilities are located adjacent to the central space. An additional loft suite is housed above the garage.
We look forward to seeing this one complete!

Sneak peak...
Cabin Love! ❤️

We've been brewing an instant Cabin.

Choose your configuration. 🏠
Choose your cladding
Have a porch or don't...
Add a loft
Add a deck
Add a pergola
Add a hot tub

The options are endless.
We'll keep you posted on the launch date.
Powered by meik architects + kintro construction.

After, after, before, after, before, after, after!

Some images from a recent renovation we are busy with on a saught after ridge in Johannesburg to a house heaving with potential and incredible views. Did I mention the incredible view?

Phase 1 includes new clip on roofs to turn the outdoor Boma and kitchen into spaces that are connected to theb house rather than just outdoor places. It also included an pool remodel and a large viewing deck to take in the view across the city!

We love how it's turned out.










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Whohoooooo! 🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳
Are we excited about this!!!!

What a banana plant? Have we lost our 🤪
No! It's our first site and collabirarion in Zambia and we are thrilled!
Watch this space to see what we'll be designing!

Staying with the renovation theme!
This reno is an excellent example of design as a solution, that was not what the client initially had in mind.

We were called to the site as the current living areas of this home were completely cut off from its lovely garden, and the client needed a home office. They had considered a free-standing pavilion in the garden as a solution that could double up as an additional reception area - so linking entertainment to the garden.

When we visited the home we realised that plumbing a free standing building would prove challenging and noticed that a ground floor bedroom was the dressing room for the first floor master suite!

We suggested that we convert the ground floor dressing bedroom into an office and extend it out to create the additional reception space.
This would allow connection to the garden and mean we could reconfigure and extend the master suite above it. Not only did this solve the initial issue, it also meant no more dressing one floor down!

Of course, there was a massive tree to contend with but we love how the new master suite became a tree house room with a real connection to the garden.

I'd love to sleep here, how about you?

PS: In case you missed it, we have a reno guide and it's in the link in our bio (of course).

This renovation really stretched us and made the most of a wedged site in Bedfordview!

The final 996 square meter house consisted of multiple courtyards to optimise orientation and get all the required accommodation in. We loved the challenge and loved that the clients were open-minded enough to consider multiple courtyards.

The house is so long that Instagram's square format is a challenge too!
For the full images feel free to pop over to our website > Renovations > The Dobrowsky

This renovation was driven by location. Sadly the client then decided to relocate elsewhere.

We often have clients who grapple with the idea of renovation vs building a new home.
When you're doing a major reno is it even cheaper?
Should you just bulldoze and start from scratch?
Flip then why incur demolition costs, just start from scratch?
Have you ever grappled with this?
There are many variables to consider.

How long do you plan to live in the area?
Is there open land in the area you want to live in?
How much demand is there for the area?
What's the area cap?
Are you looking for a total 'fixer-upper', and will that save you money or not?
Is there something that can be what you want with minimal tweaking
What does it even cost to renovate???

We have often found that renovating presents savings compared to building from scratch, as you have a base to start. Older properties often have much larger stands and established gardens when compared to new developments. Anyone who has worked on their garden knows the cost of plants, soil etc! An established garden is a real asset.

This reno offered the client a large garden home and an excellent location.
We're thrilled with how this reno has transformed this dilapidated, poorly configured building into a modern airy home.
What are your thoughts on this transformation?

PS: Did you know we have a renovation guide to assist you.
It's free to download. Link in Bio.

Sunday funday!
When you receive a photo from your client just enjoying their pool and view!

It's great when you love what you do. ❤️
I just loved working on Stonehouse, so I thought I'd share a few more shots that I came across yesterday.

The entrance hall with a view
The bespoke kitchen beautifully designed by Moksha
The Fireplace with its ' klompie' bricks all the way from the cape
The cosy study with its reading nook.

Each space has been carefully considered and crafted.











Contractor: Urban Creations
Kitchen Tapware:
Handles:
Stone Tops:
Stove:
Kitchen design:
Internal doors:
Oak floor: Oggie Oak Flooring
study joinery:

It's a throwback, and I can hardly believe it's one!
Looking back today, I found some pictures we took just before Stone House was complete...
The gorgeous main bathroom with its bath with a view.
The bespoke doors and windows took a lot of work to get right.
Choosing the lighting, the tiles and the sanitaryware with great care.
Labour or love is the correct expression.










Contractor: Creations
Bath, basins, tapware:
Floor tiles:
Shower tiles:
Oak Vanites:
Oakfloors: Oak Flooring
wallpaper:
Lighting:
wall light main bathroom:
Steel doors and windows:

Open and closed!
This Helderfontien home set on a greenbelt makes the most of its location by offering a large entertainers patio that can either be open to the greenbelt or closed up if the weather calls for it.

We look forward to estate submissions and construction commencing in 2024!

Estate: Helderfontein Estate
Contractor: Urban Creations

2023 offered an oppourtunity to design a home for Wow Factor Property Developers in Helderfontien Estate.

This modern home will be for sale this year!

Developer:
Estate: Helderfontein Estate