With its uninterrupted views of the sea and the Twelve Apostles mountain range, there are few vantage points as extraordinary as this plot in Signal Hill, Cape Town.
And houses here are not easy to come by. The owners bought this in the 1990s after a lengthy search, but feeling the small house didn't match the vistas, they commissioned architect Phillippe Fouché of SAOTA to design a new home that celebrates its location.
"The old house didn't take full advantage of the views that made the property special,' say the owners. 'We knew it would be hard, but we wanted a home that would make a feature of all 360 degrees surrounding us.' In addition to those jaw-dropping views, there was also a spectacular art collection to accommodate.
The old structure was demolished to make way for this modernist mansion that appears to float out over the sea. As he explains, Phillippe wanted to create a series of minimalist planes floating above the ravine, opening seamlessly to the outdoors and reducing interference with the surroundings.
This story is from the July 2023 edition of Living Etc UK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the July 2023 edition of Living Etc UK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
SEE YOU IN COPENHAGEN
The Danish capital feels like the epicentre of the art and design world
robot vacuums
THIS PIECE OF TECH HAS COME A LONG WAY SINCE CLUNKY EARLY MODELS- PACKED WITH SMART FEATURES FOR AN FASY LIFF
transforming furniture
A DESK THAT TURNS INTO A BED? A CUPBOARD THAT OPENS INTO A TABLE? THIS IS HOW CANNY PIECES CAN PERFECT SMALL-SPACE LIVING
secret ingredient: outdoor projectors
TAKE MOVIE NIGHTS UP A NOTCH BY MOVING THEM OUTSIDE - POPCORN OPTIONAL
CONSIDERING GOING CUSTOM-MADE BUT DON'T KNOW WHERE TO BEGIN? THIS IS THE PLACE TO START
There is something so satisfying about a bespoke piece of furniture that fits perfectly. Tailored to the way you interact with your home, a bespoke piece can also solve the problem of a room with an unusual layout. But in the big wide world of custom furniture, where on earth do you start? We spoke to the experts to find out.
OUT OF TOWNERS
A love affair with London prompted Americans Julia and David to snap up an aunt's mews house when she decided to sell
A LIGHT TOUCH
Cleverly reimagined to let the sun in, this busy family home has also been designed to allow for plenty of peace and calm
NATURAL HISTORY
Once two humble farm buildings, this French villa has evolved into a spectacular home that is no standard rustic retreat
TRAVEL THROUGH TIME
The design of this Milanese apartment celebrates its features from the past while adding in modern pieces - it's a classic look that's future-proof
PERFECTLY COMPOSED
This apartment is like a beautiful symphony balancing style notes that include the modern, the classic, the elegant and the laid-back