Palm Studio

A roof top studio with a difference

Built around an ancient wild fig tree, Palm Street’s 1960’s monolithic form provided a spectacular pedestal for a new art studio on its roof. My client displays a treasure trove of contemporary art throughout this imposing home which, along with the wild fig tree and uninterrupted views over Johannesburg, provided the inspiration for the studio’s design concept.

Conceived as an art object itself, the studio perches proudly on top of the existing house. Floor to ceiling glazed walls maximise the view over Johannesburg to the North. On the eastern side, the glazed walls are shielded with COR-TEN panels perforated with an organic design reflecting the canopy of the wild fig tree. At night, the studio ‘becomes’ the fig tree as light shines out through the perforated panels.

A sculptural bent metal frame completes the transformation of this studio into an objet d’art.