SAOTA embeds multistorey dwelling into the south african coastline

SAOTA embeds multistorey dwelling into the south african coastline
photography by adam letch
all images courtesy of SAOTA

south african architecture practice SAOTA has designed ‘OVD 919’ – a cliff-side home which offers panoramic mountain and sea views. positioned on the ridge, below lions head mountain and with views of robben island, the brief called for a property that balanced these external sightlines with internal privacy.

the scheme is positioned below lions head mountain with views of robben island

working with a relatively steep site, the design positions secondary spaces at lower storeys with care taken to limit excavation. from the road these levels are concealed by a large north facing landscape wall, with strategically positioned penetrations permitting natural light and ventilation to the rooms beyond.

the winter lounge features a lower ceiling, framing picturesque views

‘on arrival at a mid-level one is lured through the main garage with its double volume and graffiti walls towards the shaft of light and splash of landscaping emanating from the glazed entrance area beyond. sculptural timber clad stairs wrap themselves around a centrally positioned glass lift and take one to the upper levels of the house,’ explains philip olmesdahl, SAOTA director and project team member.

glazed partitions can be fully retracted

the building is limited to only two storeys above the ridge. the main living areas, pool terrace and garden are below with the family bedrooms elevated to the uppermost level. the layering of the house permits different experiences in different spaces. from the main stairs the linearity of the customized cast bronze coffee bar leads into the kitchen – the symbolic heart of the home. the adjacently positioned winter lounge features a lower ceiling, framing picturesque views.

a ribbed pre-cast concrete soffit creates continuity between the living spaces

‘throughout this level boundaries are blurred and there’s a wonderful continuity between internal and external living – it’s a house for all seasons and plays off the mood of the climate and surrounding landscape,’ said tamaryn fourie, senior associate and project team member.

living accommodation is organized around a central atrium

a ribbed pre-cast concrete soffit creates continuity between the living spaces with all services carefully co-ordinated so as to disappear within the scheme’s recesses. all off-shutter concrete was cast using a customized white mix, that once cured was sandblasted to reveal a fine aggregate. polished concrete floors extend throughout the home, while natural oak is combined with feature brass insets for bedroom floors and internal joinery.

the customized cast bronze coffee bar leads into the kitchen

the layering of the house permits different experiences in different spaces

circulation space within the home

the master bedroom on the uppermost level is set back from the site’s boundary line

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project info:

project name: OVD 919
location: bantry bay, cape town, south africa
architects: architects & interior architects: saota
project team: philip olmesdahl, tamaryn fourie & joe schützer-weissmann
interior decor: studio parkington
completion date: 2014
photography: adam letch

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