1. Brief
The Brief was to create a spectacular home which encapsulated the expansive 360 degree mountain and sea views. Though views out were paramount this needed to be carefully balanced with the required privacy from within. The living areas were to be open plan – enhancing everyday life. “The architecture needed focus on creating a contemporary, uncluttered and sculptural building,” said Tamaryn Fourie, senior associate and project team member.

2. Site
The site is excellently positioned on the mountain ridge below Lions Head with views of Robben Island to the North and Camps Bay and the Twelve Apostles to the South.

3. Approach
Working with a relatively steep site and the fact that the southern boundary is shared with a National Park, the design took on a sensitive approach. The secondary spaces were positioned at the lower levels with care taken to limit excavation. From the road these levels are concealed by a large North facing landscape wall – its customised angular design achieves a natural result. Strategically positioned penetrations within the landscape wall permit natural light and ventilation to the rooms beyond but glazing is set back and thereby concealed.

“On arrival at a mid-level, one is lured through the main garage with its double volume and graffiti walls towards the shaft of light and splash of landscaping emanating from the glazed Entrance Area beyond. Sculptural timber clad stairs wrap themselves around a centrally positioned glass lift and take one to the upper levels of the house,” says Philip Olmesdahl, SAOTA director and project team member.

The building is limited to only two storeys above the ridge. The main living areas, pool terrace and garden are below with the family bedrooms strategically positioned at the uppermost level for privacy.

The ‘layering’ of the house permits different experiences in different spaces. From the main stairs the linearity of the customised cast bronze coffee bar leads one into the ‘heart of the home’ - the Kitchen. The Kitchen in turn spills into the Dining Room and the Summer Lounge with its high ceiling of ribbed concrete. The Winter Lounge is also adjacent to the Kitchen but this time the ceiling is lower – framing the view – which together with the centrally positioned fireplace creates an intimate space for more informal gatherings.

“Throughout this level boundaries are blurred and there’s a wonderful continuity between internal and external living – it’s a house for all seasons and plays off the mood of the climate and surrounding landscape,” said Tamaryn Fourie. The large gallery type spaces emphasise the magnetism of the site and its ever present backdrop of the mountains and the sea.

A courtyard ‘cuts’ into main living areas – its water feature and delicate weathered Cor-Ten screen ensures a tranquil and sheltered space. The base of the water feature is glazed to scoop refracted light into the main garage below. The ‘woven’ Cor-Ten screen playfully reflects light internally whilst also offering privacy to the bedroom level above.

“The aesthetic of the top two storeys – when viewed externally – is of monolithic white concrete beams. Their weight is accentuated as they seem to ‘float’ on light glazed facades,” says Joe Schützer-Weissmann. With limited walls and columns this house is all about the view – even glazing has reduced mullions wherever possible.

A ribbed pre-cast concrete soffit creates continuity between the living spaces with all services being carefully co-ordinated so as to disappear within recesses. All off-shutter concrete was cast using a customised white concrete mix. Once cured this was sandblasted to reveal a fine – carefully selected – aggregate, resulting in a robust and unprecious look.

The thin eaves of the zinc roof are also delicate in contrast to the massive beams below and appears to hover above the upper level.

The polished concrete floors of both the internal and external living areas ensure their seamless continuity. The timelessness of natural oak is celebrated and combined with feature brass insets for bedroom floors and all internal joinery.

The master bedroom which is on the uppermost level is set back from the boundary line to increase privacy from the mountain paths. “An expansive planter off the main bedroom reiterates the importance of the natural surroundings and their connection with the sea views beyond,” noted Philip Olmesdahl.

3. Materials Used

Cor-Ten screen, white concrete mix, zinc, natural oak, timber cladding, brass, bush-hammered granite, cast bronze, polished concrete & in-situ concrete

Raw materials with varying textures were consciously selected to emphasise the uncluttered, sculptural and contemporary nature of the architecture.
?The custom designed ‘white’ concrete when sandblasted highlights the robust and understated nature of the architecture.
?In contract to the monolithic structure a lightweight zinc roof with the slimmest of eaves subtly hovers above.
?The polished concrete floors ensure seamless continuity between internal and external living areas.
An external Cor-Ten screen is delicately suspended in a central courtyard to reflect dappled light into the adjacent living areas.
For continuity, all the built-in joinery was custom-made from natural oak with brass detailing, sandblasting or staining being used to create unique features.
Bush-hammered granite tiles can be found in all the bathrooms.

4. Elements Used

Glazed facades, shutters, water-feature, landscape wall, pre-tensioned concrete slab, ceiling pond & post-tensioned beams

Project Name: OVD 919

Location: Cape Town, South Africa

Architects: Architects & Interior Architects: SAOTA

Project Team: Philip Olmesdahl, Tamaryn Fourie & Joe Schützer-Weissmann

Interior Designer: Studio Parkington Design Consult

Site Area: 2 879m2

Built Area: 979m2

Completion Date: 2014

Photographer: Adam Letch