Overall rationale: The transformation in recent years of a number of homes on 4th Avenue in Parkhurst into antique shops, boutiques and small cafés is an interesting urban/suburban development that can be traced back to similar gentrification processes in other global cities such as London and New York. In Johannesburg, however, many of these converted houses still maintain a residential, closed-off relationship with the high street through their existing boundary walls and set-backs from the road.
This conversion addresses these issues by creating a much more vibrant urban edge, encouraging a direct and open relationship with the street. Although the existing facades of the two converted homes have been maintained, the removal of the boundary wall and the introduction of a covered walkway creates a new urban feel to the street.
Detailed description: The two existing houses (with their adjoining garages forming a third ‘house’) are linked by a continuous, covered walkway that shades and defines the pavement space. It runs along the length of the street, its dynamic, folded shape reflecting the rhythms of movement along the street and simultaneously accommodating and accentuating the varying heights of the different existing floor levels. Made from clear, polycarbonate sheeting, it allows light in to mark the shop entrances along its length. In addition, the high level of the canopy creates a more dramatic, visible space for signage. Other architectural elements typical of similar neighbourhood typologies (bay windows, canopies and verandahs, for example) are given a contemporary make-over. The courtyard spaces between the separate ‘houses’ have also been addressed with specially designed metal grilles that secure the outdoor space and create further let-able opportunities. Although the shops at the rear of these courtyard spaces are smaller, their heights have been exaggerated to create a sense of space and to allow the north light in.
In keeping with the residential history of the project, the palette of materials is simple – screeded floors and skirting; galvanised corrugated iron sheeting and natural cement slurry plaster to external walls. Various existing elements have been given a twist and made into something new - from revamped pressed steel ceilings to existing Oregon pine doors which have been turned upside down and lengthened to create additional height. Existing roof trusses were braced where necessary and exposed internally, adding height and texture to the shops’ interiors. Light now washes in from skylights made of clear polycarbonate sheeting
The new shops fit comfortably into the residential neighbourhood, maintaining its scale and nature, while simultaneously giving a fresh face to the retail strip.
