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Property of the Month Double Feature
This isn’t an ordinary house in any sense of the word. But then, its owners are extraordinary people. Entrepreneurs Hendrik Marais and Karina Strydom designed their home around the philosophy of ‘Living Apart Together’ (LAT), a Dutch term of cohabiting in separate areas of the home, or even in separate homes. The couple started talking about building a house when they went on holiday in 2006. ‘We discussed going smaller, but didn’t want to move into a small house. So we came up with the idea of this house, where we’re effectively connected but still have our own separate areas,’ Karina explains. Eighteen months on, both Karina and Hendrik say their magnificent home has helped them to keep the spark in their relationship. ‘It keeps the mystery and romance alive,’ chuckles Hendrik. Karina agrees. ‘When we go out to dinner, Hendrik knocks on my door as if we’re going on a date. We really respect one another’s space.’ The house itself is exceptional, and according to its architect, Ed Brooks, it was quite a challenge to build. ‘I’d worked with Hendrik before on his five-star boutique hotel Forum Homini in the Cradle of Humankind, but this was something else entirely,’ says Ed. The house is designed on two completely separate levels on the Northcliff hillside, and each level boasts unsurpassed views that stretch to the Magaliesberg. The two parts fit together like pieces in a jigsaw puzzle, and the result is a work of art. The structure is a symphony of concrete, stone and glass – a sci-fi fantasy brought to life. Ed describes the house as ‘sculptural’ and says it’s inspired by the 1950s/’60s modernist style that is so prevalent in Los Angeles’s Hollywood Hills. Its owners call it ‘perfect’; they also call it ‘home’. During the year it took to plan, design and build the house, the couple met with architect Ed and his wife, the interior designer Lisa Younger, every single Friday. ‘There was always a great debate, and they gave us feedback every step of the way,’ says Ed. Hendrik and Karina enjoyed being completely involved in creating their home, and both had very specific ideas. ‘Hendrik loved being part of the design process,’ Karina says. ‘Building the house was an evolutionary process for him. He also designed a lot of the furniture.’ Karina’s level, which she shares with her two sons, is a refreshing mix of white, silver and grey, with a touch of bright green for shock effect, and piercing turquoise to emphasise the rim-flow pool, which she insisted on making a main feature of the house. The turquoise follows through to the décor to create a home that is soothing and beautiful. ‘It feels like we’re on a never-ending holiday,’ Karina says. Six-metre-long glass doors – the main architectural feature on Karina’s level – have been specifically designed to open up completely. When closed, the doors offer stunning views of the pool, with its infinity edge creating a spectacular effect. When the doors are open, the pool becomes part of the house, giving it a glamorous Hollywood feel. Hendrik’s level on the second floor is completely unconventional. Whereas Karina’s is separated into different areas, Hendrik’s is larger and entirely open-plan, with no doors and no walls. The bedroom, kitchen, bathrooms and cosy library are separated by screens or pieces of furniture. ‘It’s not easy to decorate an open space, especially because the entire house has no curtains at all,’ he admits. The couple took time choosing pieces of furniture that work with their respective spaces. Both have chosen futuristic or retro pieces in off-the-wall colours, furniture that makes a statement yet remains functional. Although most of the furniture and finishes are ultra-modern, Hendrik is quite sentimental and has therefore included some pieces that belonged to his grandfather.
At night, the roof, which forms part of Hendrik’s level, becomes a huge light reflector, giving the impression that it floats over the house. The couple plans to create a sitting area on the gravel roof to take advantage of the magnificent views. Hendrik’s level is where they entertain. ‘Entertaining is our hobby,’ says Karina. ‘We often cook together and invite each other over for dinner.’ The kitchen, with its bright-orange old-world gas stove, and the adjoining dining room look out onto the lush indigenous garden, which is where the couple’s pièce de résistance, a glass box perched on the edge of the hill, is situated. Hendrik and Karina call it their ‘folly’. ‘It was Hendrik’s idea… it’s a place where we relax, have a couple of drinks and watch the sunset,’ Karina explains. Reached via a wooden deck, the seating area is completely private and offers a vantage point over the leafy suburb. Everything has been carefully considered for this exceptional home. Even the garage plays a dual role: in the afternoons and on weekends it’s transformed into an Astroturf-covered area where the boys can practise their cricket. Special nets slide into place to protect the parked cars.
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Hendrik’s level has an abundance of colour, with bright orange couches and fuchsia heart-shaped chairs set against an exciting abstract mural backdrop – the only piece of art in the house. He explains the lack of artworks: ‘The house itself is a work of art; we didn’t need to display art in it to make a statement.’ Still, pieces like the towering carved-wood front door leading to Hendrik’s level are works of art in their own right. 
