Overlooking Bantry Bay: Victoria 73 House

Victoria 73 House was designed by SAOTA Architects in conjunction with Antoni Associates for a family in Cape Town, South Africa. The property originally had a house that under-utilized the site’s fantastic characteristics. The project brief was aimed at capitalizing on the site to create an environment where a young family could enjoy an outdoor lifestyle offered by the site. This outdoor area is protected from the prevailing winds, enjoying sea views, and more immediate views of large boulders to the South. The clients were eager to utilize every possible area of the site, yet ensure that they maintained privacy in this dense part of Bantry Bay, where sites are fairly small and owners typically maximize their allowable building envelopes.

The design was driven by creating a family home that could accommodate a kitchen, living room and dining room in one single space. These areas enjoyed all day sunlight with simultaneously framed views of the sea. The secondary living area was to be a dramatic entertainment space, located on the level immediately below the family level, where the clients could entertain large groups of friends. The pool terrace allows for covered and uncovered areas to relax around the pool. The entertainment lounge accommodates a generous bar, and is close to the outdoor braai area. A dramatic gazebo structure is perched at the Western edge of the pool deck, which allows the owners to enjoy the last hours of the setting sun.

The Sixth floor above accommodates the main bedroom with two children’s en-suite bedrooms and a small children’s lounge. The guest room, a staff area and a private library are located on the second and third story below the entertainment level. The ground floor accommodates the entrance hall and a five car garage. A glass lift connects the building vertically, and an external service stair connects the levels externally.

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