This house was to have been built on a modestly sized site in a small residential estate at the foot of Signal Hill in Tamboerskloof, Cape Town. An exceptionally steep site with superb views south east over the city of Cape Town and Table Mountain, called for a design that made the house step up the hill side over four levels. All the four levels are linked by a long in-line staircase that acts like and internal “street” that runs all along the west boundary.
On the lowest level, garages and the main entrance to the house are placed straight off the street. Utility rooms and a small guest suite are also accommodated on this level. The long in-line staircase takes you up to the first floor that accommodates all the living areas with the lounge and kitchen areas cantilevering over the garage and entrance and open up to the views towards the city and table mountain.
The entire house is planned to keep to the west and south edges of the site and creates a protected garden court that accommodates a swimming pool and covered patio. The second floor accommodates the three on suite bedrooms with the master bedroom facing the city views. The third floor provides for a small gym and exercise room that is placed at the end of the internal “street” and overlooks the entire house.
The architecture reflects a contemporary view on what a modern South African house should be. Floor to ceiling glass doors and windows that carefully balance the solid and transparent planes with framed facades create an elegant aesthetic. Smooth plastered walls are contrasted with panels of timber cladding and raw natural stone. Deep concrete roof overhangs created by setting back glazed sliding doors and windows shade the interiors as much as possible from the midday sun.
A concrete intermediate slab forms a light shelf along the entire front façade to provide more shading for those sun facing spaces than would conventionally be possible. Sadly the client decided to sell the property and not proceed with this design.