Gota Dam

GOTA DAM RESIDENCE

STUDIO SEILERN ARCHITECTS

Project Name: Gota Dam Residence Area: 1,500m2 Budget: Undisclosed Project: 2010-2011 Construction: 2011-2012 Location: Zimbabwe Client: Undisclosed Architect: Studio Seilern Architects and Muzia Sforza Local Architect: Architexture Structural Engineer: Eckersley O’Callaghan Local Structural Engineer: Marcussen and Cocksedge Services Engineer: DSA Engineering Ltd Local Services Engineer: Lage Consultants Lighting Design: BDP Lighting Geotechnical Engineers: BCHOD Contractor: ELEVATE

GOTA DAM RESIDENCE

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The site lies in the Forrester estate, an agricultural farmland one hour north of Harare, Zimbabwe.

The 1,500 sqm building is situated atop a granite rock overlooking a large manmade dam, or reservoir for the extensive surrounding farmland . The area is, to say the least, breath-taking and awe-inspiring, and deserved a piece of architecture that is equally awe-inspiring.

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The views and the drama of the granite cliff plunging into the dam were the inspiration for the concept, where oversized cantilevered roofs and extensive terraces frame the views and shelter from the vertical African sun.

The house consists of three basic elements: two granite blocks that enclose the bedrooms and support spaces, an oversized timber platform and cantilevering roof that frame the panoramic views and create shaded living spaces, and two glass boxes that enclose the winter living areas, emphasising the feeling of living within natural granite. A small horizon pool at the lower level visually integrates the dam reservoir with the lower levels of the house.

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The house sits on levels ranging between 112 and 116 metres above sea level on the edge of a cliff. There is another 50-metre drop to the reservoir. All elements are orientated in such a manner as to create physical adjacencies and visual privacy where required. They are transparent enclosures that again emphasise the views and the feeling of living within the surrounding landscape.

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Section

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Ground Floor Plan

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The project had to deal with issues of hyperinflation and lack of available material. All materials were sourced locally, except for specialist items such as the glass and the roof waterproofing. The granite used to clad the two anchor blocks were the ‘crusts’ cut-off that came from the granite excavation. The dynamite drill holes are still apparent and tie the building to the area of excavation. Using the granite from the site also insured that the building blended harmoniously with its surroundings.

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A pair of small granite-clad blocks containing extra bedrooms and bathrooms hinge off the semi-covered area, anchoring the house to the rock and helping it to blend with its rocky footing.

A decked patio is sheltered below the overhanging roof to one side of this primary space, and is planted with trees that stand below circular lightwells.

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A red-painted wall curls around one corner of the living space, enclosing a library and a piano room.

The owner being a musician required a place to retire and compose/record her music.

Strategically placed windows, creating corners and band cuts into the granite cube offer dramatic views of the cliff and the jungle below.

The mechanical systems are very simple, employing low-technology to provide cooling with virtually zero carbon emissions and heating with extremely low energy requirements.

A summertime cooling system uses the adjacent dam water for energy-free cooling.

In the wintertime, the dam water is used as a source for a heat pump unit located in the utility room.

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PRACTICE HONOURS & AWARDS Architects’ Journal Awards 2019 - Shortlisted G.W ANNENBERG PERFORMANCE ARTS CENTRE

Future Reception Competition, Architects Journal/ Derwent London 2013 Winner

Structural Steel Design Awards 2019 - Shortlisted G.W. ANNENBERG PERFORMANCE ARTS CENTRE RIBA National Awards - South 2019 - Shortlisted G.W ANNENBERG PERFORMANCE ARTS CENTRE British Council for Offices Awards 2019 - Shortlisted ANSDELL STREET WAF - Leisure Led Development 2018 - Shortlisted RESTAURANT GÜTSCH AJ Architecture Awards 2017 - Workplace of the Year Shortlisted ANSDELL STREET AJ Retrofit Awards 2017-Shortlisted ANSDELL STREET New London Architecture Awards 2017-Commended ANSDELL STREET RIBA London Regional Award 2017-Shortlisted ANSDELL STREET WAF - Future Educational Project 2016-Shortlisted KSI RABAT WAF - Future Educational Project 2015-Winner G.W. ANNENBERG PERFORMANCE ARTS CENTRE Blueprint Awards - Best Non-Public Project 2014 Winner GOTA DAM RESIDENCE Architect of the Year Awards (AYA) - International Breakthrough Architect of the Year - 2013 Finalist Architect of the Year Awards (AYA) - One-off House Architect of the Year 2013 Finalist

RIBA International Award 2013 Winner GOTA DAM RESIDENCE LEAF Awards 2013 Finalist GOTA DAM RESIDENCE WAN House of the Year 2012 Winner GOTA DAM RESIDENCE LEAF - Interiors Awards 2013 Winner LAUENEN RESIDENCE WAN Interiors 2013 Finalist LAUENEN RESIDENCE New London Architecture Awards 2012 Finalist WHITE HORSE STREET WAN Residential 2012 Highly Commended JABI LAKE WAN Interiors 2012 Finalist KENSINGTON RESIDENCE New London Architecture – Don’t Move, Improve 2013 Finalist OXFORD GARDENS World Architecture News Education Award 2012 Finalist KSI GENEVA Studio Seilern Architects 23

24 Scrubs Lane London NW10 6RA T +44 (0)20 8969 2567 press@studioseilern.com www.studioseilern.com Photography: Bruce Rowlands, Angela Geddes

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August 2019 Edition