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Contemporary Clifton Home -
Contemporary Clifton Home -
According to SAOTA, the entrance façade responds to Le Corbusier’s definition of architecture as a “magnificent play of masses brought together in light” – the journey through space and light that follows is clearly inspired by the Modernist movement. The steel wall sculpture is by Paul Edmunds. -
The double-volume entrance foyer features a rusted steel and glass staircase and the artworks ‘Three Blind Mice’ by Kevin Brand on the wall and a totem by David Brown on the landing ledge. -
From the almost chiaroscuro treatment of the cavernous entrance hall the visitor is led upwards towards the generous light of the upper living levels. -
In cinema and games room the Blowfish by Porky Hefer is hanging in the double volume space. The STM chair and Barbuja coffee tables are by OKHA and are strategically placed next to the fire place. The Central African Makoro Dugout boat and African baskets sit below a Cecil Skotnes tapestry. -
A Greek traditional rug in the games room. The tapestry from the President Hotel 1967 in Johannesburg by Cecil Skotnes and Blowfish by Porky Hefer work perfectly in the double-volume space. -
The gallery foyer is situated on the bedroom level with pyjama lounge at the end. Showcased along the gallery wall is a collection of artwork by Charles Gassner, Mother and Child by Walter Battiss and A019 by Andrzej Urbanski. -
In the pyjama lounge there are two Orgone chairs by Marc Newson that sit below the Cloud Lamp by Margie Teeuwen. A collection of artwork by Charles Gassner hang on the wall. -
The main bedroom incorporates a Bird chair by Harry Bertoia and Jada couch by OKHA, over the Flokati rug. Carnival artwork by Yvon van der Heul. -
The family room on the far left with double volume tapestry is by the Keiskama Trust. Reading table next to the family room incorporates Andrzej Urbanski landscape artwork behind it and the artwork adjacent is Nzuri Fufu by Cyrus Kabiru. The kitchen, dining room and lounge are in the centre and the De Riguour standing lamp and Jada couches are by OKHA. The outdoor dining pavilion on the right showcases panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean. -
The French oak dining table is by Pierre Cronje with Arper Juno chairs. The study and winter lounge can be seen on the upper mezzanine level. -
The courtyard garden is on the mountain side facing Lion's Head with distant views of the Atlantic Ocean. -
On the living level the front of house integrates the kitchen and dining room areas. The French oak dining table is by Pierre Cronje and Etch Bar stools are by OKHA. The mask wall features a collection of Central and West African masks. -
The lounge living area features the Jade couch by OKHA and Shell chairs by Hans Wegner. -
The mask wall in the kitchen is a collection of Central and West African masks. -
The bar and bar lounge is suspended over the pool and incorporates the Curator couch by OKHA, Dragnet lounge chair by Kenneth Cobonpue and artwork by Martie Kossatz.
WORDS Amelia Brown IMAGES Adam Letch and Stefan Antoni
Architectural firm SAOTA has designed a contemporary home in picturesque Cape Town that perches dramatically on the slopes of Lion’s Head.
The main living areas are at the very top of the building, making the most of the elevation. Designed with a purposeful permeability, from up here, the inside-outside living areas flow not only onto one another, but also straight onto the mountain. Breathtaking panoramic views command the expansive, double-height open plan space, which houses the kitchen, bar, dining, living and family rooms as well as a winter lounge, study and art studio at a mezzanine level.
The lower levels which abut the mountain feature six generous bedrooms, three of which can be interlinked for a family suite, and a double-volume entertainment space complete with spa, games and cinema.
The house, according to SAOTA, feels like a robust, seamless form whose functions are defined by intersecting planes, ceilings and floor treatments. The masterful interplay of light, space and raw materiality in the house complements the considered collection of contemporary South African art, working together to blur lines between home and gallery. Interior design studio ARRCC worked with furniture design and interiors company OKHA to bring the interiors together.
Check out more of SAOTA’s extraordinary properties here.
