By Anna Marie-Smith, Project Consultant Ridha Abdulla, Photography Fiona Barclay-Smith
This house is located in the lush environment of Nova Constantia, within green surroundings that emphasise the boldness of the structure.
Clean, symmetrical lines visible through glass enclosures of generous proportions are perfectly suited to capturing the outdoor beauty.
The owners say the modern design they selected came naturally after many years of studying architectural designs that maximise natural light. They complimented their master builder extensively for a wonderful job done, as he came in on budget despite the 20-month duration of the project, which resulted directly from their own personal changes to the original plans.
Of the extensive timber applications, both in the exterior and interior of this house, owner-builder Uwe Gossow of Gossow and Harding Construction says they opted for the durable and attractive Garapa wood from Brazil, now a popular substitute for Balau. He says the beauty of this timber lies not only in its warm glow and slow greying with age and weather, but in the fact that it does not crack or splinter.
The exterior of the house was completed in a modern timber cladding finish that blends perfectly with the beautiful outdoor surroundings of the house.
Bright tones of red emphasise the lustre of high-gloss finishes of counters and cabinets, while the upholstered staircase provides ultimate underfoot comfort. Outdoor entertainment is facilitated by an ultra-modern swimming pool area, a masterful and challenging piece of construction, complete with an undercover seating arrangement that creates the sense of floating on the water.
