The client comments: “We still marvel at how gorgeous the creation of our home is, and you certainly ‘got us’ and drove that whole process with such attention to detail.” “We love our home”
Context and brief
The existing house was a three story 1960’s concrete frame structure with yellow face brick infill walls and ageing interiors, on a site overlooking the Cape Town CBD. The house was structurally sound and for sustainability reasons the clients preferred to renovate rather than demolish and rebuild.
The intention was to enhance the spatial quality of the house, particularly the entertainment and social spaces, making the most of the views, natural light and improving the connection to outside spaces was a priority
The Clients had a strong aesthetic preference for the rich textures, details and colours of Mediterranean hill town architecture and have an extensive art collection which they wanted to be displayed and enjoyed.
Design Solution
Conceptually transforming the original structure into a ‘villa’ was the most challenging aspect of the project.
Externally this was achieved by introducing a stone plinth, heavy textured plastered columns and soft curved arches. Low “dry layed“ local sandstone walls nestle the house into the landscape and sensitive, timber roof detailing reduces the scale of the façade. Recycled clay Italian roof tiles, new shutters, delicate wrought iron balconies and balustrading all combine to reflect the Mediterranean aesthetic.
Similar detailing was carried into the interior where timber finishes, eclectic display niches, rich paint colours, and soft curves, along with Moroccan tiles and coloured glass mosaics selected by the client, transformed the spaces. An additional stair was added to improve the general flow while the interiors were opened up to improve the quality of natural light penetration.
2018