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.