Home Renovations

The insets show the house before the renovations whilst the larger background pics show the house after renovations.

When designing a home, all the rules that apply to commercial architecture can pretty much be thrown out with the old furniture.  Homes are personal and deeply detailed in concept, design and execution.  The client is often considerably more involved with the project, which requires an intuitive and skilled architect to incorporate the client’s personal expressions into the design.

KFPA was recently contracted to renovate a family home that was built in the early 1930’s.  The home had received several additions over the decades and each renovation had resulted in the house having a disjointed and, in the client’s view, a ‘bolted-on’ appearance.

In addition to this, the overall building was in need of restoration and repair.  A collapsing roof, aged asbestos ceilings, suspended wooden floors that were past their prime and faulty electrics and plumbing set the scene for a serious revamp.

We were awarded the opportunity, not only to restore our client’s home, but also to restore their confidence in our industry.  Here is a letter of recommendation from our client:

“Our experience of previous architects had been poor and we had been disappointed by a lack of attention to detail, aesthetic appreciation and shoddy execution. We thus approached this new undertaking with a degree of trepidation and concern. From the outset, Mark Falconer (KFPA) took a detailed brief from us, made several site visits and presented us with various 3D concept drawings which allowed us to fully appreciate the scale and appearance of the changes we had requested.  (KFPA) was able to translate our vision into reality and after several months of planning, we proceeded to a detailed costing and contract with the builder.

Mark (KFPA) project managed the entire process which involved the builder but also several of the subcontractors. He presented a detailed GANNT chart timetable of the project which allowed us, even with significant additional scope creep, to complete the building within the agreed 8 months. His commitment, attention to every detail and aesthetic appreciation was incredible. He was patient and professional and always available and ready to answer the smallest queries. He carefully researched new concepts or materials that had become available to ensure the best decision was made. In addition he personally vetted all the subcontractors and during the final snagging was regularly present to ensure completion of the project.

The result has been transformational thanks to Mark Falconer and Krige Falconer Architects and we are privileged and blessed to have moved back into a truly beautiful home that has exceeded our most demanding expectations.”

(Click here for full letter)

At KFPA we take pride in our work and are committed to contributing our very best throughout the project.  This means that we concern ourselves with every stage of the project – from conception until the keys are in the hands of the client.

COP17: The largest conference to be held in Africa

“The global climate crisis is forcing us to live in a sustainable and responsible way.”


eThekwini Mayor, Councillor James Nxumalo

As the world addresses the climatic pressures in relation to global warming and the sustainability of non-renewable resources, Durban/eThekwini will become the hub for environmentalists, climatologists and renewable energy advocates at the 17th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP17).

In November, this high-level UN summit will attract an estimated 15 000 delegates, representing 190 nations.  Local government says that it has already booked 20 000 hotel beds and has asked SA Airways to keep tickets open for the duration of the conference.

High on the agenda will be the way forward after the Kyoto Treaty expires at the end of 2012.  The objective of the Kyoto climate change conference (1997) was to establish a legally binding international agreement, whereby all the participating nations commit themselves to tackling the issue of global warming and greenhouse gas emissions. The target agreed upon was an average reduction of 5.2% from 1990 levels by the year 2012.  (click here for more info on the treaty)

COP17 will be the largest conference to be hosted in Africa and will make South Africa the centre of the world’s attention, creating an opportunity for us to play a valuable role in reducing carbon emissions and implementing sustainable practices within business and society.  KFPA recently published and article on Green Design and believe in focusing on the development of architecture that responds to the environmental challenges that we face today.

In an article by KPMG, it was cited that South Africa’s businesses are amongst the best in the world when it comes to carbon disclosure through measuring and reporting their greenhouse gas emissions.  In all our designs, KFPA applies passive design principles in order to achieve truly environmentally sustainable buildings.  To be responsible, we need to operate in a sustainable manner.

Become a Light Saver

KFPA Project: Mabopane

“Harvest sunlight and save energy.”

There are many ways to reduce the impact of man-made structures on the environment, it is a collaborative effort of environmental design considerations in which a structure is built and learns from the way that the natural world responds to the context in order to inform us how to respond to our natural world.  The better we respond, the less our long-term impact will be.

We consume energy everyday and we need to continuously refine and redefine the way that we live, build and interact with our natural resources in order to remain sustainable.  Energy for lighting is one of these areas.

“Residential lighting is considered an energy hungry area: 6% of world-wide energy consumption is allocated to light private homes.  Currently lighting is largely achieved through incandescent and halogen light bulbs, which convert more than 80% of the energy used into heat rather than light! More conscious households have now introduced and installed CFLs (compact fluorescent lights) or the newer and even more efficient LEDs (light emitting diodes).”

Martina Gluckman

Sunlight is the best source of natural warmth and natural light and although installing low energy light sources (like CFLs) is a viable way to reduce energy consumption, harvesting sunlight in your building is still the best way to bring in light without consuming any energy.  At KFPA (Gauteng-based architects), we employ green design concepts in order to maximise natural lighting in our projects.

We consider the path of the sun, spatial orientation, natural ventilation, light and control of heat gain, and loss, to maximize the potential for energy savings through the use of an optimal day lighting solution.  The strategic size and placement of windows greatly affects the potential for natural light.  Buildings are planned with optimal wing depth to allow sufficient natural light penetration throughout the building, reducing the requirement for artificial lighting. It is also important to balance the consideration of natural daylight and glare to ensure comfortable working spaces

Once the building is well designed from a day-lighting perspective, we then look to the artificial lighting systems to further reduce the energy demand for the building.  An energy efficient lighting system can use as little as 20% of the energy that a conventional incandescent installation would require.  This, coupled with motion sensors that ensure lights are only on when they are needed, makes a considerable difference in creating a comprehensive, sustainable lighting solution.

There are many factors that are considered to develop a tailor-made solution to each specific project; lighting is only a single aspect of a green building strategy.

Contact us at Krige Falconer Partnership Architects for more information on how you can reduce the energy used in lighting your offices or home.

think green - change the world

Sustainable, Re‐usable, Recyclable, Renewable.  These are the buzzwords of our time and will very likely set the course for the next generation.  We’ve seen the movies, the news reports and the documentaries – but where does all of this come from and what does it mean?

For a few decades, as science and technology has improved, we have been able to improve our diagnostics and projections for strategic environmental planning and impact.  This has had a ripple effect on manufacturing, engineering and design, which has in turn infiltrated almost every other industry.

Passive Design Principles

Passive Design Principles

In Architecture, Green Design has been an industry changing approach that has broadened, and focused, the creative minds in one green stroke.   So much so that at EXPO 2000, which was held in Hanover, Germany, a Bill of Rights for the Planet was developed by a group of architects.

As members of the Green Building Council of South Africa, Krige Falconer Partnership Architects is committed to reducing the impact that our designs have on the environment.  In order to do this, there are many factors that we need to consider when we approach a project.  Some of the common principles that we strive to adhere to are:

• Energy efficiency – our initial design approach is to look at the climatic context in which the building exists in order to inform an appropriate architectural response.  We consider the path of the sun throughout the year, the prevailing wind directions, rainfall patterns and other climatic and contextual aspects to maximize the potential for energy savings through optimal orientation, natural ventilation, light and control of heat gain and loss.
• Once we complete the passive design process, we then look at solar water heating, energy efficient lighting, heating and ventilation systems to further reduce the energy consumption and carbon footprint of the building.
• Bio‐Mimicry ‐ this is a concept that considers the eco system in which a structure is built and learns from the way the natural world responds to the context in order to inform us how to respond to our natural world.
• The selection of materials also has a big impact on the sustainability of a building, there are many factors to look at when choosing a material.
• Embodied Energy – This is the energy used to manufacture and transport the materials from raw materials to the finished product delivered to site.  The selection of local materials dramatically reduces the embodied energy of the material and the footprint of the building as a whole.
• Indoor air quality is another important aspect to consider when selecting material and finishes in a building. For example, the use of paint that does not emit VOC’s (volatile organic compounds) improves the indoor air quality and the health and wellbeing of the occupants.
• Life Cycle Costing ‐ Quality and durability: materials, and designs, that are long‐‐‐lasting and functionally optimal will have to be replaced less frequently, which reduces the impact of producing replacements and reduces long term costs to the environment and our clients.

(click here for more of our views on green design)

Thinking green means considering the long term effects that our decisions and actions will have on our environment for future generations.  There is no single solution that can be applied to every building project to make it a “green project.”  We need to look at each project individually to tailor a strategy to meet the objectives that we set out to achieve.

Introducing Augmented Reality

Architecture Augmented Reality from Studio Gade on Vimeo.

We realize that, for our clients, it’s much harder to picture exactly what designs will look like when they are finished, than it is for us, who create the designs.  With the help of a piece of card, an HD camera and HDTV, we are able to take a 3-dimensional look at the home or office design, all controlled by the client.  It can be turned left, right, upside down and back again, all with the simple movement of one’s hands!

Here’s how it works:
We take a piece of cardboard with markers on it.  We then position an HD video camera above the card and link it to our computer.  The computer then feeds a 3D image of the design onto our HDTV screen.  The design is linked to the markers on the card, so as the card moves, the design moves.  The client can then, by picking up the card and swiveling it, view their design from any angle that that they wish.  Really simple!

At KFPA, we believe that we need to employ the latest in technology in order to constantly deliver the best service and build into the high standard of our industry.  The beauty of architecture is that it is art that one can walk through – but when it’s still in the design phase, it’s impossible to do that.  With the use of 3D augmented reality, we are able to make it possible.

3D Display Technology

As architects, we communicate with buildings and structures.  We strive to deliver the message of our clients through the buildings that they live and work in.  Designs on paper are only the beginning and handmade models are no longer viable for smaller projects.  The future of design has, and is ever changing; the future is in technology.

At KFPA we have equipped our offices and boardroom with the latest in digital technology that enables us to design and present projects in full 3-dimensional format.  Using cutting-edge software, hardware and high-spec computers, we bring designs to life in true 3D.

With specialized stereographic liquid-crystal glasses and an HDTV the pictures and videos appear 3-dimensionally, which presents a greater feel for the potential of the designs and instills confidence in the end product.  Our software uses the computer’s GPU (graphics processing unit) as opposed to the CPU (central processing unit).  This generates pictures and videos that look smoother and more life-like.

Architecture is ultimately the finished product of a process that can take from six months to several years to complete.  Once the project is in the final building stages, this is often the first time that the client is able to get a real feel for the design, and it is then costly to make changes that could have been made back in the design stage.  Our use of 3D display technology allows our client to anticipate changes that they would like to make before it gets costly.

A partnership designed for excellence

At the helm of this partnership are André Krige and Mark Falconer. Falconer joined Krige Architects in 2006 as a student who was determined, passionate and focused. With a bursary from Krige Architects, he completed his B.Arch Hons and M.Arch from the University of Witwatersrand and finally the University of Pretoria.

Having completed his studies in 2007, he took the Professional Practical exams a year later and entered into a partnership with Krige to form the new company: Krige Falconer Partnership Architects. As with any new venture, it holds great potential to explore and push the boundaries of the architectural vocation whilst upholding the highest professional standards.

You can expect to see a new standard emerging in areas of augmented reality, 3D display technology, integrated design & presentation, green consciousness, 3D stereo design, XR technology and much, much more.

KFPA seek to lead opinions in architecture and remain trusted professional service providers in the South African and Global architectural services industry.

New Partnership. New Building. New Opportunites.

"Society needs a good image of itself. That is the job of the architect."

Walter Gropius

Much of our perception of value lies in self-image. Not only is Krige Falconer Architecs Partnership determined to bring out the value of seamless image in the designs that they produce, they are focused on creating the right environment in which they work – both in the physical structures and in the social structures.

KFPA moved to new premises in Dainfern in 2010, a building that they themselves designed and which senior partner, André Krige, co-owns. The functionally aesthetic building captures their heart for green design, good looks and prime estate. Operating from offices ergonomically designed for their fit, the KFPA team consists of eight passionate people who have adapted to work in a natural and intuitive symmetry.

The team is:

1. Andre Krige - Senior Partner & Architect

2. Mark Falconer - Partner & Architect

3. Clinton Angerson - Candidate Architect

4. Stefan Szczygiel - Senior Technician & Associate

5. Kobie Van Tonder - Interior Designer

6. Greg Ansell Architectural - Technician

7. Vanessa Krige - Office Manager

8. Joyce Ramaru - Factotum

In order to deliver the top designs, KFPA realizes that they need to have access to premium back-end infrastructure. Their offices are fully equipped with high volume printing, colour poster printing, central secure network/Wifi, advanced 3D display technology as well as the essential coffee machine.

With a team set to surpass expectations, working in offices tailored to their needs, Krige Falconer Partnership Architects will be the ones to keep an eye on.