By Jess Binns, Project Consultant Avril Elias, Property Coordinator Catherine de Vincenzo, Photography Chris Allan
Perched above the Indian Ocean, this house, on the northern shores of KwaZulu-Natal, proudly stands out from the crowd, not least because of its particular attention to detail.
“We wanted a house that was not bound by the conventional arrangements of a typical family home,” says the owner. Not having to accommodate their children, who flew the nest some years ago, meant the owners were able to fully indulge their dreams. Their list of requirements included a 20m-long swimming pool, a music studio, a study, a home theatre and a gym.
The site made for a challenging design, with the steep slope of the landscape dictating the level changes. The driveway was highly engineered, housing large water tanks below ground to capture rainwater. Almost off the grid, the home also features a roof of solar panels and three solar geysers, with passive shading adding to heat reduction.
In response to the client’s request for a sheltered outdoor space, the architect, John Smillie of John Smillie Architects, factored in a courtyard behind the main living area. This intimate area backs on to the music studio, which in turn benefits from the views of the open seas.
Expressing a preference for honest materials such as glass and exposed L-beams, the look and feel of the home has taken on a chic industrial feel. “We didn’t want overly large or bulky expanses of non-functional decorative masonry. We wanted a timeless design that blended into the landscape and took into account the typical prevailing wind direction and angles of the sun throughout the day,” adds the owner.
The double-volume living area pays homage to the aesthetics behind the design. The polished concrete floors and exposed beams are balanced with full-height glazing and wide oak planks along the gallery space. The tailor-made library, with its custom timber bookcases, adds visual interest both from the entry level and below, leading you towards the study, which can be shut off from the living area if necessary.
The three bedrooms, each situated on its own level for privacy, have views of both the ocean and the carefully cultivated garden, which the owners extended after obtaining the plot next door.
This home has so many areas to enjoy; it really has been made to measure.
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