Up close with three design strategies that follow through every detail: durability, minimalism and practicality, the purpose of this project was to design large enough to accommodate an extended family from both the US and Germany. The original 1980’s structure functioned as an artist’s home and her art gallery. It was demolished with as much vegetation as possible retained.
This single volumetric structure floats above the street level from a long and narrow site where the property steps down the steep western slope in a linear form. Having been built into the embankment means the home’s ground floor hallway is effectively underground and the first storey entrance ties up with the street level.
Uncomplicated straight planes and integrated courtyard spaces allow for privacy from the street and provide protection against the south-easterly wind. This wind is known as the Cape Doctor because of a local belief that it clears Cape Town of pollution and pestilence. This strong, often persistent, and dry wind blows on the South African coast from spring to late summer.
The house orientates towards the ocean to maximise on views, but also slightly angles its back against the Cape Doctor.
All bedrooms and living areas have views over the ocean, while service areas like passages, walk-in cupboards and en-suites are allocated to the road-facing façade of the building. The six bedrooms are all en-suite. Included is one staff quarter with two bedrooms. The pyjama lounge can be converted to additional sleeping space if required.
The overall objective was to allow maximum flexibility in the way the owners can use the house: it needed to feel large enough to have multiple members of one another’s families visiting, without feeling congested; yet small enough to feel intimate should it just be the two owners occupying the house.
A need for maximum privacy – and a request to maximise the views – informed the creation of various spaces: such as courtyards and decks where owners and visitors can escape to appreciate the prime location’s landscape views.
Due to the site’s shape, the architects had to carefully consider ways in which to avoid redundant circulation. The architecture practice and interior design studio GSQUARED overcame this challenge by creating areas that would normally be seen as a passage to pause, sit and frame certain views. Clever screening and architectural features were used to hide the street.
Architects add: ‘One of our favourite spaces in the house is the yoga deck screened by a custom-made aluminium frame and surrounded by planters.’
The clients were totally invested in a 18m long heated lap pool with seating on the top floor. This posed a challenge, not only architecturally but also structurally. GSQUARED had to accommodate thicker than usual concrete slabs, ceiling voids for services below the swimming pool, while maximising floor-to-ceiling heights in each room.
The 12m-long swimming pool with infinity edge on the top floor seamlessly brings the ocean right to the entertainment space – a feature that takes centre stage at sunset.
‘The gym and sauna both frame views of Table Mountain. You can sometimes see the cable car go up and down the mountain. The formal lounge has a fireplace, which separates the dining room from the living room and creates a beautiful atmosphere at night. The main en-suite with its own fireplace and jet bath feels a bit like an isolated Camps Bay pavilion with maximum benefit of views, yet in absolute privacy.’
‘The house is fully equipped with solar panels and back-up battery power. Some appliances and amenities such as the sauna, stove and pool pumps – do not operate on the battery backup. State-of-the-art alarm system and CCTV were installed throughout.
‘The clients are very happy with the result and often send messages to tell us how much they miss their home in Cape Town while they’re travelling. They had their first December holiday in the house and thoroughly enjoyed it.
‘The clients are still in the process of finishing off the interiors and will collect art as the house requires and while abroad, the owners rent it out. The project started in 2018 with design concept and council permission. Upon approval the site was handed over to a main contractor in October 2019. As from March 2020 the project was suspended for a few months due to the COVID-19 Lockdown . The project was completed in 2022.’
