Model of the house

In the SPRING FLING edition of VISI magazine we feature House Bonavera and interview architect Enrico Daffanchio. Since the resident and property administrator of the house, glossy model Tessy Bonavera, is such a character herself, we couldn’t resist popping her a few questions too.

Your home is designed to be eco-friendly. How does the green lifestyle extend into the way you live when you are at home and when you’re out-and-about?

The green lifestyle has affected us in a positive way as we are more aware of the effect we are having on the environment. Thanks to our solar heating panels we save on electricity. The underfloor heating system, which uses heated water from the solar panel-powered geyser, ensures that that the temperature in the house is consistent and we do not add any strain on Eskom consumption. We have used low voltage light bulbs throughout the house. When we go out, we only switch on the external lights and this illuminates the inside of the house for us so that we can still see where we are going and where the keys are, etc.

What three things would you recommend our readers do in order to make their homes more eco-friendly?

I would recommend the following:

  • A gas fireplace. Gas fireplaces have come a long way in terms of design. During winter they heat up the space faster and, depending on the design you choose and its positioning, it could be a feature in your home for all seasons.
  • A gas hob; cooking is faster.
  • Solar panels, be it for your geyser or for other big electricity consumption items in the house. It will save you a lot in the future.

Your house looks like the perfect place to entertain in, was that a key consideration for you when you briefed the architect?

We enjoy entertaining a lot and the architect matched our ideas of open-plan contemporary design very well.  We discussed with the architect that we wanted a house with high ceilings and large glass windows looking out so that we could take full advantage of our position on the ridge. The pool-deck view of the sunrise and sunset are magnificent, and great for sundowners.

We mainly host pool and dinner parties with close friends and family. The food is prepared in the kitchen but we can make a braai upstairs too. The main living room area has a sound system and music can be heard from inside the house to the first level patio. On the pool deck there is a separate sound system. These are our two main entertainment areas.

Besides your home, what is your favorite building in Johannesburg?

My husband likes the Michelangelo Towers because it dominates the Sandton skyline and it has got a compact structure. I like the Westcliff hotel with its whimsical pink colouring and the view into the zoo

In your travels to other countries, are there any specific buildings and interiors that have inspired the decor in your home? 

We looked through a series of magazines and books, and took the best out of all of them. So not one particular place or picture was used to motivate us, more like a melee of ideas that came together to create what stands here today.

If you didn’t live in Joburg, which city would you choose as your home?

Monte Carlo for the freedom and exuberance. It would be a dream to live on the Cote D’Azure.

For the full article and photoshoot, get the new SPRING FLING edition of VISI magazine. Read more here.

More from the SPRING FLING edition of VISI

  • New and second-cycle
    Renovation and interior design is seldom a stagnant, once-off affair. The best spaces grow into themselves. See the before pictures of the houses featured in the magazine.
  • Popcorn architecture
    We have inspiration from the Architecture ZA 2012 Biennial Festival to share. Watch our online film festival and read our report back.
  • Mechanical futurism
    Some say steampunk is what happened when Goths discovered brown. Others say it grew out of a literary genre. Explore our steampunk trend report.
  • Joburg Art Attack
    For at least one week in September, Joburg was hit by an art attack. Read the post-mortem and our guide to starting an art collection, written by the experts.
  • Winning wishes
    In October, Warren Lewis will be giving away four paintings. Up for grabs over the next two months is a Bodum Bistro Coffee Maker from Banks Kitchen Boutique. Enter the competitions.