Modern multi-level cliffside property in South Africa

Sitting up high above Clifton, in Cape Town, South Africa, Nettleton 198 house connects a hillside garden on the East through the generous living space to the expansive Atlantic Ocean to the West. Designed by SAOTA Architects, the clients, a British couple living in Cape Town, requested a six-bedroom, seven-level home that makes the most of the site, the views and the mountain. The lower levels of the existing structure were totally remodeled while the upper level was demolished to allow for two new levels.

“Inspiration was drawn from the mountain and dark colors were used on the facade, allowing the building to visually recede into the mountain instead of being an obtrusive construction,” says Greg Truen, Project Partner. The site enjoys spectacular views, both of the sea and Lions Head and these views and the impact of the sun were key informants contributing to the overall design.

The sun being both a defining and also harsh influence on the property inspired the choice of screens, shutters and louvres that give the lower levels its distinctive gravitas. The living room can open up onto the west and the east completely, giving it the feeling of an open pavilion.

The finishes and detailing have been very carefully considered to achieve an integrated and visually effortless whole. The exterior of the building is clad in powder-coated aluminum which resulted in a very robust and precise surface finish. Internally, a much warmer look was achieved by using walnut timber. Black marble & glass were integrated into the design as accents.

The home is peppered with unusual design ‘delights’. The circular entrance area, clad in walnut timber, is one of the main features of the house. The space is amplified by a fascinating lighting installation of backlit slumped glass, that renders an “other-worldly” effect. An elegant floating timber staircase employs hanging stainless steel rods for a refreshing take on a balustrade. Others include the walnut-clad kitchen box, the granite-clad rim-flow pool and the sculptural cantilevered carbon fibre bar.

The clients wished to keep the interior as lean and focused as possible and the selection of furniture and lighting is both graphic and strong.

Photos: Courtesy of SAOTA Architects

Contemporary De Wet 34 Residence in Cape Town

De Wet 34 is a breathtaking contemporary residence on the slopes of Lions Head, overlooking the Atlantic coastline in Cape Town, South Africa designed by SAOTA Architects. Natural finishes combine with bold simple forms to create a contemporary interpretation of Cape vernacular. The interiors of this spectacular home have been designed by Antoni Associates and OKHA Interiors.

Photos: Courtesy of SAOTA Architects

Captivating St Leon 10 Residence in Cape Town

St Leon 10 has been designed by Stefan Antoni Olmesdahl Truen Architects and Antoni Associates, situated in Bantry Bay, Cape Town, South Africa. This home was designed for a family with two young sons who wanted a house which simultaneously created spaces for casual intimate family occasions or large get-togethers. The site allows for unprecedented views towards the 12 Apostle Mountains, Clifton Beaches and Robben Island. The building is cut into the slope with approximately 50% of its rear face below the natural ground level. The upper level floats over the essentially glazed South West facing first floor and this exaggerates the height of the building relative to the adjacent ground level.

The house is organized in a linear manner with all rooms facing the sea view. The rear of the house offers privacy with no openings other than the glazed double volume entrance space. This space is screened with a steel framed timber screen and access off the street is through heavy timber gates.

The double volume entrance space leads onto the main living wing of the house including two lounges, dining room and kitchen.

A sculptural stair leads up a triple volume space from the entrance up to the second floor and bedroom levels.

The ground floor is accessed through the same stairwell and accommodates a generous pool entertainment room with a feature sunken lounge, back-lit onyx bar and wine cellar. A gym and second guest room are also accommodated on this lowest level.

ANTONI ASSOCIATES were appointed as the interior decorators. On the entrance living level the interiors are kept to a neutral palette with a subtle play on texture in materials and fabric selected. Soft cream leathers and weathered timber finishes layer the interior with luxurious elements. The overall feel is warm and inviting.

Photos: Courtesy of SAOTA

Impressive two-story apartment in Cape Town: Clifton View 7

Clifton View 7 is a spectacular contemporary property designed by Antoni Associates in Cape Town, South Africa. The scope of the project was to do a gut renovation to the two-story apartment and re-configure the interior layout to further accommodate more spaces in the program, including four bedrooms, en-suite, gym, entertainment cocktail bar, cinema room and wine cellar. The site is perched over dramatic boulders and the Atlantic Ocean and experiences sweeping views of the Clifton beaches as well as the Twelve Apostles mountain range.

Here is a description of the project from the architects, “Access is gained to the apartment on the upper level. The dining room, living room and kitchen are open plan and have direct access to the extensive terrace. The open plan dining area acts as a pivotal focal point between the spiral staircase and the main entertainment space. The success of the space is a culmination of bespoke detailing, unexpected stylistic juxtapositions and dramatic artworks.”

The pool bar leads onto the swimming pool and spa terrace with uninterrupted views of the seascape. The infinity pool allows the eye to flow from the pool to the expanse of the Atlantic Ocean.

Moving through the apartment is a journey of styles and ideas that all fuse together to make the apartment a tailored and personally nuanced space. This tailored look was achieved by avoiding over use of recognizable brand names; the clients instead were keen to create one off signature pieces through the OKHA Design Studio.

A feature spiral stair was introduced to link the two levels of the apartment. Feature timber screens extend from the upper level through the upper volume to contain this circulation space.

Lighting design is an important feature in any project. Bold and discreet lighting was specified in conjunction to create a powerful ‘wow’ factor and layering of lighting was used to set various moods throughout.

Photos: Adam Letch

Contemporary-chic courtyard home in South Africa

This recently designed private family home is situated on a prime site in Higgovale, Cape Town, South Africa. The client was referred to Three14 Architects by SAOTA, who were initially approached for the conceptual design. Upon completion of the sketch design, Three14 Architects took over, translating and expanding on the original ideas and creating a tailor-made, contemporary-chic, courtyard home with a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere. The house takes an honest approach to aesthetics with an expression of tactile materials – bagged brickwork, rough stone, exposed concrete, warm timbers and polished concrete floors – whilst remaining cutting edge with clean lines and details.

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.

Magnificent South African home breathes new life

Moss Oaklands Residence is a stunning property in Cape Town, South Africa designed by studio Nico Van Der Meulen Architects. The scope of the project was to remodel a 1950s residence, breathing new life back into the home and giving it more of an urban feel. Here is a brief description of the project from the architects, “Alterations and additions were made to the original building to allow for four bedrooms and large entertaining areas. The single-storey building allows for large double volume spaces and flat roofs have been used in the alteration to keep vertical expansion in mind for the client’s future. In keeping with the owner’s brief to have a home with an urban and open feel, the interior and exterior entertaining areas have been blurred by sliding stacking doors that open up the whole facade. By using a neutral palette, the company was able to create a warm environment by bringing in touches of color through rich and bold accessories and furnishings.” What do you think of this fabulous South African home?

Tranquil Skies luxury villa in Camps Bay

Tranquil Skies is a beautiful vacation villa set high in the mountains of Camps Bay, Cape Town, South Africa. Incorporating superb sea views, an exquisite flow of open plan living areas onto unique outdoor areas, a collection of Asian artworks and artifacts; all resulting in a property that gives an overall feeling of superior luxury and opulence along with an eclectic and unique feel.
One accesses the property via an elevator that comes up directly from the street entrance or the garage. The elevator opens up into a very open and spacious living area on the upper floor. Long glass sliding doors can be opened to create a fantastic indoor/outdoor area, and you can enjoy the sound of waves breaking on Camps Bay beach, from the comfort of your own home. These glass doors can also be opened at the back of the property, on to a small fern-fringed courtyard area, which enjoys plenty of shade. Here you can enjoy the peace and quiet in the shade, next to an elegant koi fish pond.

The upstairs living area is a large open plan area, and it comprises of a kitchen, a large lounge and dining area with antique Indian wooden table and silver plated chairs, and outdoor lounge and heated pool deck that all have sea views. A stunning luxurious formal lounge with incredible views also come off of this open plan area.

The kitchen is immaculately designed, and thoughtfully appointed. On the lower floor, each of the three bedrooms has en-suite bathrooms, and two enjoy fantastic views of the Atlantic Ocean and the Twelve Apostles. The other has its own private patio with steps leading up to the pool area. Each bedroom is wonderfully comfortable, lace linen from Italy and each has its own en-suite bathroom with bath and shower. The main bedroom has a double bathroom shared by one big shower.

This spectacular vacation rental can be all yours for only $689 – $1,787 per night, from here.

Spa House in the South African mountainside

The Spa House is an elegant and ultramodern house designed as a multi-functional building with residential, recreational and spa facilities, annexed to a larger residence by architecture firm Metropolis Design. The residence is set into the mountainside of the local fisherman’s village in Hout Bay, Cape Town, South Africa, overlooking the bay and harbor, surrounded by weathered sandstone formative. The Spa House is separated from the principal residence by a berm, and is connected to it by foot paths.

From the architects, “The brief called for a place of entertainment and relaxation both for the client and his occasional guests, who would also be accommodated there. It incorporates swimming pools, guest accommodation, spa facilities and general living and poolside areas. The house is conceived of as a hovering set of elements, suspended over a large waterscape, which forms an extended terrace on the mountainside.

Water constitutes the primary experience of the building. The floor planes are arranged to provide contrasting experiences of water, and the underwater spa with large viewing windows into the pool has a sense of stillness and mystery. The guest accommodation block hovers dramatically over the water and projects into space towards the mountain and sea. The dining area is submerged below water level, and pool decks are arranged as islands in a sea of water, connected by a bridge.

The ground floor opens up entirely to the landscape and the interior and exterior finishes are continuous, to minimize the distinction between inside. Formally, the building comprises a number of separate sculptural forms in a dynamic composition. The base of the building, incorporating pools, relaxation rooms and guest accommodation is entirely of concrete. The superstructure is of steel construction, which is clad in afromosia shiplap boards on timber studwork.”

This home is also a luxury vacation rental, visit the website of Luxury Villas in Cape Town here.

Photos: Courtesy of Metropolis Design

Beautiful contemporary home in Cape Town

This dreamy sky-high home captures the feel of the sea below by using levels to spectacular effect in Cape Town, South Africa, designed by SAOTA (Stefan Antoni Olmesdahl Truen Architects) and OKHA Interiors. La Grande Vue 5A was designed for a growing family that needed to demolish their bachelor pad and build a larger residence. The result is a dual-level penthouse, including two en-suite bedrooms, a living area and a kitchen on the first level, a studio, third bedroom and garage on the lower level, and an apartment underneath. On the roof, is a swimming pool and terrace, as well as the magnificent SKY BAR containing a cocktail bar and entertainment area.

The architect’s bold control of levels and layering has resulted in a visually stunning sculptural interior. They wanted the feel of the apartment to be a contrast between laid-back comfort and slick sophistication. Crème-de-la-crème marble slabs were used for the floors and the woods were lime-washed to give them a ‘beachy’ feel. Accent colors were kept to greys and aquamarines. Adam Court of OKHA Interiors created a range of furniture using the home as a canvas. “We wanted to create a relaxed but sophisticated look; one that was not only about individual pieces but about creating a totally new experience.

The result is a balance between the functional and the eye-catching, from white-leather sofas to ethnic pieces found on exotic travels. David Reade glass pieces sit alongside stacked cubic frames, together with cashmere throws and deep pile rugs. “We wanted to break free from the mould, create a piece of poetry that plays on light, space and geometry, and balances the primal quality of raw surfaces with modern elements,” Stefan concludes. Via

Visit the website of SAOTA Architects here.