JENNA HISCOCK
Japandi kitchen with timber cabinetry, a skylight, a sculptural pendant and mountain views

04 · INTERIOR DESIGN COLLABORATION

THE VILLERS HOUSE

"The Space Between"

TYPE
Residential, group collaboration
LOCATION
Stellenbosch
YEAR
2026
RECOGNITION
University Selective Top 5

CONCEPT

The Space Between.

Developed for a blended family in Stellenbosch, this collaborative residential project explores how a home can bring people together while giving each person room to grow. Warm Japandi materials, natural light and a connection to the garden support family life, while quieter spaces offer privacy, comfort and a sense of belonging.

My contribution to the collab

The Villers House was a Group 5 design project. My role combined visual storytelling, technical development and coordination to help shape and communicate our shared proposal.

  1. 01 RENDERINGProduced 3D views to communicate the proposed interiors.
  2. 02 REVIT MODELLINGHelped develop the architectural model and spatial layouts.
  3. 03 PROJECT MANAGEMENTSupported group deadlines, progress and coordination.
  4. 04 PRESENTATION LAYOUTSArranged visuals and information for the client presentation.
  5. 05 WELLNESS CHECKLISTDeveloped a tool for assessing comfort and practical wellbeing.
  6. 06 SPACE PLANNINGContributed to circulation, adjacencies and room planning.

SPACES

Japandi kitchen with timber cabinets, a stone counter, black sink and skylight
Japandi Kitchen Design
Sunken family lounge with olive sofas, a fireplace, sculptural shelving and a skylight
Family Sunken Lounge
Pink bedroom with arched windows, built-in wardrobes and a window seat
Mia's Bedroom
Pink bedroom with a playful drip-painted feature wall and lighting
Feature Wall and Lighting
Art studio with a pink desk, easel and arched windows
Mia's Art Studio
Bedroom with a grey bed, guitar wall display and arched windows
Noah's Bedroom
Dining space opening through glass doors to a garden with a vertical planted wall
Indoor-Outdoor Living
Shared bathroom in blush tones with arched mirrors and a double vanity
Shared Bathroom

DESIGN APPROACH

DVR design triangle with five tiers from creativity and inspiration up to emotional wellbeing
DVR Design Triangle. Tier 1 creativity and inspiration; tier 2 design elements, principles and colour; tier 3 the five senses; tier 4 soulful personalisation; tier 5 emotional wellbeing.
Five senses: touch, sound, spatial atmosphere, sight and scent
5 Senses. Touch: comfort through tactile materials. Sound: calm acoustics enhance wellbeing. Spatial atmosphere: layered spaces promote calm connection. Sight: visual connection through open spaces. Scent: natural scents create comfort.
Venn diagram of social, spatial and lifestyle components overlapping in a Blue Zone
Blue Zone. Social, spatial and lifestyle components overlapping around outdoor gathering, connected buildings and gardening.
  • PHYSICAL NEEDSFlexible living spaces · Strong outdoor connection
  • EMOTIONAL NEEDSSense of belonging · Spaces that support emotional wellbeing
  • SOCIAL NEEDSReduced interactions on screens · Family traditions

MATERIALS & FINISHES

  • Dark wood
  • Marble
  • Spiced Wine
  • Warm Biscotti
  • Olivewood
  • Bone White, Pantone 12-0105 TCX

Dark wood in a Japandi style throughout the house, marble and warm finishes, with warm red details.

Material board: dark wood, marble, Spiced Wine, Warm Biscotti, Olivewood and Bone White samples

DRAWINGS

Numbered floor plan of the Villers House, 41 561 by 40 065 mm, rooms 1 to 31

Floor Plan. 41 561 × 40 065 mm, arranged around a central family room, garden atrium and indoor garden, with the grandparents' cottage and a garden with firepit.

  1. Entrance
  2. Guest WC
  3. Viewing platform
  4. Formal lounge
  5. Kitchen
  6. Dining room
  7. Laundry
  8. Scullery
  9. Vegetable garden
  10. Garage
  11. Staff room
  12. Entertainment
  13. Peter's office
  14. Homework
  15. Garden atrium
  16. Cathy's study
  17. Noah's room
  18. Mia art room
  19. Mia's room
  20. Shared bathroom
  21. Lily room
  22. Lily playroom
  23. Eli room
  24. Master bedroom
  25. Private terrace
  26. Master ensuite
  27. Guest bedroom
  28. Indoor garden
  29. Family room
  30. Grandparents
  31. Garage
Zoning plan with arrival, family heart and private zones in brown, red and green

Zoning and Spatial Planning. The house is organised into three zones.

  • Entertainment & arrival
  • The family heart
  • Private & rest

Wellness design checklist

  • NATURAL LIGHTWindows and skylights
  • NATURAL VENTILATIONReduce airborne bacteria
  • MATERIALSJapandi style material choices · Low VOC materials
  • BIOPHILIAGarden pathways strengthen biophilic connection
  • ACOUSTICSSound-dampening materials reduce unwanted noise
  • SAFETYSlip-resistant flooring · Window panel doors to playroom
  • THE FIVE SENSESColour, texture, material, greenery · Home should feel good, not just look good