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Sumit Singhal
Sumit Singhal loves modern architecture. He comes from a family of builders who have built more than 20 projects in the last ten years near Delhi in India. He has recently started writing about the architectural projects that catch his imagination. Beyond in Cape Town, South Africa by SAOTADecember 3rd, 2018 by Sumit Singhal
Article source: SAOTA Beyond is a contemporary setting for life and art, where the full comfort of a modern home is potently married to an elemental architecture drawn from its dramatic setting. Perched on the shoulders of Lion’s Head, the home, designed by SAOTA, springs from a steep hillside that drops off to the famous sequence of Clifton’s white beaches to the Twelve Apostles beyond. Entry from Nettleton Road – the most sought-after street in South Africa – gives a carefully composed impression of four lower stories with tantalising glimpses of two more levels towering above. The lower levels play host to six generous bedrooms, three of which can be interlinked for a family suite, and to a double volume entertainment space complete with spa, games and cinema. Principal living is at the very top of the building – an expansive, double-height open plan space which houses kitchen, bar, dining, living and family rooms as well as a winter lounge, study and art studio at a mezzanine level. The glazed lines between inside and out peel back to blur the boundaries in a continuous transparent space which links a generous back garden opening directly onto Table Mountain National Park to a pool which stretches out towards the sea in front.  The finely perforated aluminium screen is folded at the bottom and upper levels. A slot has been cut out of the centre to allow for views from the games and spa areas. The curtain glass guest bedroom element slides and cantilevers out. The entrance is on the ground level, Image Courtesy © Adam Letch & Stefan Antoni
 Image Courtesy © Adam Letch & Stefan Antoni The entrance façade responds to Le Corbusier’s definition of architecture as a “magnificent play of masses brought together in light” – and the journey through space and light that follows is clearly inspired by the Modernist movement. From the almost chiaroscuro treatment of the cavernous entrance hall the visitor is led upwards towards the generous light of the upper living levels. The spatial experience is similarly considered; the house feels like a robust, seamless form whose functions are defined by intersecting planes, ceilings and floor treatments. This concept is used from the macro scale of the bar whose glazed form slides dramatically out of the house, floating over the pool with a glass floor, to material scale of the rough concrete over the main lounge and the timber ceiling on the level below – which, in the true spirit of this house – is made from the very same blemished boards which shuttered the concrete above.  The kitchen, dining room, lounge and bar lounge are situated on the fourth floor. The courtyard garden is on the mountain side facing Lions Head with distant views of the Atlantic Ocean, Image Courtesy © Adam Letch & Stefan Antoni  The family room on the far left with double volume tapestry is by the Keiskama Trust. Reading table next to the family room incorporates Andrzej Urbanski landscape artwork behind it and the artwork adjacent is Nzuri Fufu by Cyrus Kabiru. The mask wall in the kitchen is a collection of Central and West African masks. The kitchen, dining room and lounge are in the centre and the De Riguour standing lamp and Jada couches are by OKHA. The outdoor dining pavilion on the right showcases panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean, Image Courtesy © Adam Letch & Stefan Antoni The masterful interplay of light, space and raw materiality in the house plays generous host to its other family – a considered collection of contemporary South African art. The lines between home and gallery are always blurred; and from the Paul Blomkamp tapestry and Paul Edmunds sculpture which animate the mystical entrance hall, to Porky Hefer’s playful (and inhabitable) “Blowfish” which floats within the double volume entertainment area, to the African masks worked into the dark walls over the kitchen, the collection is always carefully curated to work with the architecture. The interiors were created by ARRCC together with OKHA.  The French oak dining table is by Pierre Cronje with Arper Juno chairs. The study and winter lounge can be seen on the upper mezzanine level, Image Courtesy © Adam Letch & Stefan Antoni  The lounge living area features the Jade couch by OKHA and Shell chairs by Hans Wegner, Image Courtesy © Adam Letch & Stefan Antoni  Image Courtesy © Adam Letch & Stefan Antoni  The gallery foyer is situated on the bedroom level with pyjama lounge at the end. The cinema and games room are on the lower level and can be seen from the gallery. Showcased along the gallery wall is a collection of artwork by Charles Gassner, Mother and Child by Walter Battiss and A019 by Andrzej Urbanski. The Nicci chair is by OKHA and the ‘Blowfish’ by Porky Hefer is hanging in the double volume space, Image Courtesy © Adam Letch & Stefan Antoni  In the pyjama lounge there are two Orgone chairs by Marc Newson that sit below the Cloud Lamp by Margie Teeuwen. A collection of artwork by Charles Gassner, Image Courtesy © Adam Letch & Stefan Antoni  The main bedroom incorporates a Bird chair by Harry Bertoia and Jada couch by OKHA, over the Flokati rug. Carnival artwork by Yvon van der Heul, Image Courtesy © Adam Letch & Stefan Antoni  Greek traditional rug in the games room. Tapestry from the President Hotel 1967 in Johannesburg by Cecil Skotnes and Blowfish by Porky Hefer hang in the double volume space, Image Courtesy © Adam Letch & Stefan Antoni  Image Courtesy © Adam Letch & Stefan Antoni  In cinema and games room the Blowfish by Porky Hefer is hanging in the double volume space. The STM chair and Barbuja coffee tables are by OKHA and are strategically placed next to the fire place. The Central African Makoro Dugout boat and African baskets sit below a Cecil Skotnes tapestry, Image Courtesy © Adam Letch & Stefan Antoni  Image Courtesy © Adam Letch & Stefan Antoni  On the living level the front of house integrates the kitchen and dining room areas. The French oak dining table is by Pierre Cronje and Etch Bar stools are by OKHA. The mask wall features a collection of Central and West African masks, Image Courtesy © Adam Letch & Stefan Antoni  Double volume entrance foyer with a rusted steel and glass staircase. Artworks: ‘Three Blind Mice’ by Kevin Brand on the wall and on the landing ledge is a totem by David Brown, Image Courtesy © Adam Letch & Stefan Antoni  Double volume entrance foyer with a rusted steel and glass staircase. Totem by David Brown on the landing ledge and the steel wall sculpture is by Paul Edmunds, Image Courtesy © Adam Letch & Stefan Antoni  The staircase consists of light grey granite stair tiles with crude steel side balustrade
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Tags: Cape Town, South Africa Categories: Apartments, House, Residential |
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