AECCafe: Palm House in South Africa by Metropole Architects

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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.

Palm House in South Africa by Metropole Architects

December 9th, 2018 by Sumit Singhal

Article source: Metropole Architects

The design is based on three rectangular forms arranged in such a way so as to create the sense of opposing movement.

The first rectangular form is grounded in the site and orientated on an east west axis. The 2nd and 3rd rectangular forms are elevated above and positioned side by side one another in a north south axis – one heading with purpose towards the ocean, with the other having its sight set on the golf course fairway in the opposite direction. The sense of movement on the upper level is created by intentional horizontal lines and cantilevers projected towards their respective targets.

Image Courtesy © Alexis Diack Architecture & Design Photography

Architects: Metropole Architects
Project: Palm House
Location: Palm Avenue, Zimbali Coastal Estate, KwaZulu Natal North Coast, South Africa
Photography: Alexis Diack Architecture & Design Photography
Software used: SketchUp, Autocad
Design Architect: Nigel Tarboton of Metropole Architects
Project Architect: Tyrone Reardon of Metropole Architects
Project Technician: Chris Laird of Metropole Architects
Interior Design: Schané Anderson of Olala Interiors
Landscaper: Lynch Frog Landscapes
Engineer: Mono Block
Contractor: Rhodes Construction
Timeline: The design process started in June 2014 with construction commencing in April 2016 and completing in August 2018.

Image Courtesy © Alexis Diack Architecture & Design Photography

The point at which the 3 rectangular forms intersect in a transparent double volume space, provide the perfect position for the sculptural staircase. This curved vertical element forms the heart of the design and is intended to be the primary focus on approach.

The particular orientation and characteristics of the site presented a challenge in that there was no ”back-end” to the site, leaving all four elevations vying for center stage. Hence the “back of house” services had to be tastefully camouflaged behind curved stone walls and exciting structural acrobatics unfolding above.

Image Courtesy © Alexis Diack Architecture & Design Photography

With the location being a Coastal Forest Residential Estate, the potential views from the home would always be competing with existing foliage and neighboring houses. This contest was ultimately won by rotating the axis of the home at 45 degrees to both the road frontage and adjacent properties resulting in unobstructed views of both the ocean and golf course.

Image Courtesy © Alexis Diack Architecture & Design Photography

Image Courtesy © Metropole Architects

: Image Courtesy © Alexis Diack Architecture & Design Photography

: Image Courtesy © Alexis Diack Architecture & Design Photography

: Image Courtesy © Metropole Architects

: Image Courtesy © Metropole Architects

: Image Courtesy © Metropole Architects

: Image Courtesy © Metropole Architects

: Image Courtesy © Metropole Architects

: Image Courtesy © Metropole Architects

: Image Courtesy © Metropole Architects

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Tags: KwaZulu Natal North Coast, South Africa

Categories: Autocad, House, Residential, SketchUp

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