Cape Town-based studio SAOTA recently completed the Clifton 2A project.This contemporary single family residence is located in Clifton, an affluent suburb of Cape Town in South Africa
Clifton 2A by SAOTA:
“1. Brief
A flexible contemporary family residence on a spectacular but challenging site.
“The
owners brief was to design a flexible contemporary family residence.
The site was spectacular requiring a design that could respond to a
challenging slopped corner site and its aspects” says Thaabe Ramabina of
SAOTA
2. Site
The
site is positioned on the ridge below Lions Head with 270° views of the
Atlantic Ocean, Camps Bay and the Twelve Apostles beyond. It is an
extreme corner site – a compact wedge of steep, predominately
south-facing hillside with exposure to prevailing winds and its longest
boundary on a busy road. Careful analysis of all site conditions largely
informed the design
3. Approach
A
key strategy to create a generous level for principal living rooms was
to elevate the main level on a plinth comprising of guest bedrooms and
secondary spaces such as the Gym, Study, Garage and all plant This
Ground Floor is partially set into the steep site thereby maximising the
living level and raising it above the noisy provincial road. The First
and Second Floors were then set back, fragmented and rotated to create a
central but sheltered external terrace. A glass bridge forms the link
between the fragmented structures at the upper levels and permits North
sunlight to shine between the bedroom wings and into the central areas
on the South side of the house.
“Due
to the steepness of the site and the resultant excavation, the
structural frame of the house virtually follows the natural ground level
– this inherent drama was expressed as part of the overall aesthetic of
the house”, says Tamaryn Fourie Project Leader.
By
elevating the main living areas and with careful consideration of the
landscaping around the Ground Floor – privacy from the road and noise
reduction was achieved. The Ground Floor rooms all have double glazing.
Generous
overhangs, external sliding shutters and perforated steel and aluminium
eaves assist with naturally shading the facades. All doors and windows
have performance glazing and are mostly full height which, together with
the careful arrangement of internal spaces, ensured that the
magnificent views are optimised for all rooms.
Landscaping
was also a priority; 7 yellow wood trees were soften the verge and lush
vegetation conceals retaining structures; on the level above a more
formal lawn helps relocate the living areas on their elevated plinth.
On
arrival one is lead up delicate cantilevering concrete stairs alongside
an immense off-shutter concrete wall which tapers dramatically towards
its base – and thence into a triple volume Entrance Foyer. Here visitors
are welcomed by a sculpture set into a water-feature and, through full
height glazing, glimpses of mountain beyond. Monolithic stairs are
suspended above and filter shafts of refracted morning light creating a
sense of calm. The Study, Gym, Massage Room and luxurious Guest Bedrooms
are all situated at the Ground Floor behind vegetation, screens and
double glazing considerately layered to provide privacy and peace.
North
from the main stairs the Entrainment Room with its faceted weathered
copper bar, natural stone tops and custom laser-cut aluminium screen
behind presents a rich, detailed contemporary living space. The Family
Room, Kitchen, Dining and Lounge are to the South and all flow
seamlessly onto the centrally positioned External Terrace which, though
elevated, is sheltered by the carefully rotated bedroom wings above-
whilst views out are vastly improved. A blue mosaic rimflow pool runs
the length of the terrace and brings sea and sky into the living spaces.
The
family bedrooms are strategically positioned at the Second Floor with
expansive views and opulent interiors. All have their own dressing
rooms, en-suite bathrooms and private balconies.
The
main en-suite enjoys lush tranquillity of all white finishes complete
with an outside shower and views onto the National Park. The linearity
of the dressing room is accentuated by central skylights which scoop
natural light into an internal space surrounded by full-height joinery.
The master bedroom is set forward as if propelled towards the view of
the coast whilst clerestory glazing perfectly capture another view up to
the cable station and Table Mountain. A customised fireplace with a
weathered Corten conical flue and polished concrete plinth complete the
luxurious live-in haven whose off-shutter concrete wall contrast with
slick stained oak panelling and natural timber floors
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