Renovated Free State House

PHOTOS David Ross PRODUCTION Annemarie Meintjes INTERVIEW Alma Viviers

Joburg-based gallerist Gavin Rooke designed and built a compact weekend house in Deneysville for a mere R200 000. It was then given a colourful update. VISI spoke to Gavin about the renovation.

The house was built using a steel structure sourced from a Farmer’s Weekly, with brick infill.  How has this construction stood the test of time?

The home has weathered well in terms of its steel construction. The roof and columns are all in good condition and the steel work was well protected by rust-proofing from the initial build. If I was to build the house again I would use the same method.

Then what prompted the renovation?

This home was always designed to be clad. The initial plan was to build it using a steel structure and clad it in corrugated steel with the aim of using as little masonry as possible. But local building legislation compelled us to use the standard brick construction, so we felt the cost and benefit of additional cladding was not justified. But, after eight years, we decided the thermal qualities of the home could be improved, so reverted to the original plan.

From the outside the most obvious change is the cladding. Why did you do this and what material did you use? 

The house is clad in Nutec fibre-cement planks (often referred to as “Vermont cladding” but without the faux wood grain). The manufacturer (Everite) is located in the Vaal relatively close to our home. The product is extremely stable in terms of its resistance to water and temperature, and serves as a great thermal screen for the home. 

The primary function of the cladding is to keep the house cool because the western gable-end and northern façade absorb a significant amount of heat on summer afternoons. The movement caused by these heat fluctuations creates hairline cracks between the foundation slab and walls, which in turn require maintenance. Fortunately the addition of the cladding has now resolved the temperature fluctuations, cutting back on maintenance needs. The unusual vertical orientation of the cladding was simply to gain some aesthetic distinction for the home. 

What other alterations did you make? 

We improved the dual inside/outside fireplace by fitting two sealed flues to better manage heat and smoke. We also fitted a built-in braai to what was an open outside fireplace. Dust is no longer a problem and although I have never been a fan of the built-in braai brigade, I must admit there is something satisfying about its functionality. It also passes the children’s marshmallow test with flying colours! 

Other small changes include rebuilding the window sills to avoid water build-up, better sealing between the external walls and the roof, and fitting a cowl on the chimney. The net result is a home that is better sealed from rain and dust, and has more efficient thermal properties.  

You are generally very hands-on in the design and construction of your houses. How involved were you with this renovation?

I find it quite important to be physically constructive. We live in a world where most people display their interests with “Likes”, “Tweets” and “Pins” – presumably in pursuit of the social recognition such purported discernment brings. I think it does little more than make people feel inadequate. I prefer to make things, as I find this provides a tangible sense of achievement. Stop pinning. Turn off your cell phone, shut down your laptop and go make something. 

What lessons have you learnt from working on this house?

This was the first house I designed and built. People are surprised that such a daunting task was taken on without any formal training or experience. I simply assumed that I could design a home by focusing on the function it needed to perform. While it took some hard work, I wasn’t deterred by what I did not know. There is immense value in naivety and this home continues to teach me that lesson.  

Rooke Gallery The Newtown, 37 Quinn Street, Newtown, Johannesburg, 083 680 4461, rookegallery.com