Create Café / Nadine Engelbrecht Architect

Create Café  / Nadine Engelbrecht Architect - Exterior Photography, Table, Windows, Chair, FacadeCreate Café  / Nadine Engelbrecht Architect - Image 3 of 22Create Café  / Nadine Engelbrecht Architect - Interior Photography, BeamCreate Café  / Nadine Engelbrecht Architect - Interior Photography, Kitchen, Windows, BeamCreate Café  / Nadine Engelbrecht Architect - More Images+ 17

  • Architect In Charge: Nadine Engelbrecht
  • Client: Alpine Attitude Boutique Hotel, Charmaine Freyer
  • Steel Contractor Main Structure: Ranco Ondernemings
  • Steel Contractor Stairs: Kare Sheet Metal Products
  • Roof Size: Trust Sheeting
  • City: Pretoria
  • Country: South Africa
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Text description provided by the architects. Neighbouring residential property which contained an old derelict Pretoria house. The concept proposed to repurpose the existing house and freestanding garage as a conference room and café at minimal cost, disturbance and time. The surviving elements of the building were exposed and uncovered to serve as the backbone of the new design - to support new interventions and additions. Design and materials were selected to stitch together the old and new fabric and transform the existing buildings to facilitate a variety of social spaces, whilst making the most of Pretoria’s favourable climate.

Create Café  / Nadine Engelbrecht Architect - Interior Photography, Kitchen, Windows, Beam
© Marsel Roothman Photography

Ceilings, floors and internal walls were removed from the old house to accommodate the conference space, kitchen and bathrooms. The structural integrity of the old garage walls was questionable, thus an additional layer was added in the form of a steel structure placed over the old brick walls. The resultant loft creates non-traditional volumes and adds a mezzanine space for a café and lounge area. The new roof and cantilevered glass facades offer glimpses of dense foliage whilst the street-facing picture window invites public glimpses to the life within. The existing building footprint and walls remained intact. Plaster was removed to reveal original bricks and celebrate the presence of the old.   

Create Café  / Nadine Engelbrecht Architect - Interior Photography, Beam
© Marsel Roothman Photography

In choosing a brownfield site and renovating an existing building, the impact of construction is kept to a minimum. Construction waste, such as demolished internal walls and heritage pavers found on site, was reclaimed and reused on site for construction or as artwork. New window placements and skylights invite natural daylight into the structure and assist in keeping the energy demand as low as possible. Natural cross ventilation and sufficient insulation assist in passive cooling of the structure during summer.

Create Café  / Nadine Engelbrecht Architect - Interior Photography, Living Room, Table, Windows, Chair, Beam
© Marsel Roothman Photography

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Project location

Address:Menlo Park, Pretoria, 0081, South Africa

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Location to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.
About this office
Cite: "Create Café / Nadine Engelbrecht Architect" 13 Jan 2018. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/868282/create-cafe-nadine-engelbrecht-architect> ISSN 0719-8884

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