VELD ARCHITECTS: THE FEMALE DRIVEN ARCHITECTURAL PRACTICE THAT ALIGNS WITH NATURE
We visit the home of renowned architect Gillian Holl and step into her creative space, The Veld Studio.
Just outside of Johannesburg is the home and business of mother, wife and dynamic architect Gillian Holl. It’s here that she has designed a beautiful escape for her family as well as the offices to one of the top architectural studios in South Africa.
The design of the home is inspired by new and experimental design principles with a focus on regenerative architecture, in that it’s created with a conscience.
This mid-century house is a testimony to modern architecture’s timeless quality and in keeping with Gillian’s design style, is true to the environment it finds itself, with every detail and manufactured element being carefully considered and selected.
The steel and glass structure allows for the surrounding environment to be incorporated into the look and feel of the design.
The functional family home is designed to retain heat with the use of low-emission glass and solar powered underfloor heating. It also has the assistance of two fireplaces when needed.
The earthy hues in the kitchen were introduced to create a feeling of warmth, especially during the cold months when the outside landscape loses its greenness. A theme that continues into the bedroom, where a feeling of contentment is evoked by the space.
Then there’s The Veld Studio – the headquarters of Gillian’s award-winning eco-friendly architectural business that’s recently been nominated for the International Design Awards 2021 for not one, but two projects.
The creative space has effectively been partitioned from the living space and boasts beautiful large windows on the northern side with incredible views of the distant mountains. The southern wall features a blend of textured wallpaper and a natural brick wall and has been decorated with local art and striking accessories.
With an ethos that places emphasis on the value of optimum design and living with Nature, we thank Gillian Holl for reminding us to see the beauty in sustainable living.
