COMPILED BY Julia Freemantle and Steve Smith
We glance back at some of VISI’s most breathtaking outdoor spaces – in homes in SA and around the world.
In this Plettenberg Bay home designed by Paul Oosthuizen (above), an outdoor area under a dramatic undulating concrete roof benefits from indoor/outdoor flow and spectacular views.
This dramatic outdoor pavilion at Mapogo House at Cheetah Plains was designed by SAOTA and ARRCC to maximise the scenery. The perfect place to gather at sundown, it features various vantage points on different levels to allow occupants to soak in the bush that surrounds it.
This dream beach house in Yzerfontein by Evi Elsner of Home Concept (above) was entirely location-driven – situated for perfect sun, wind and view exposure – and designed for easy summer living.
Architects Anthony Orelowitz and Elliot Marsden and interior designer Julia Day created a sanctuary in Johannesburg around the “atrium house” concept (opposite). A tranquil effect is created by three porthole windows under the swimming pool, which cast calming patterns over a covered courtyard below.
Designed by Gregg Goddard for maximum appreciation of the natural setting and mountain backdrop, Perivoli Lagoon House (above) proves the importance of location.
Designed and built by multidisciplinary French firm POBA, this spectacular 16 x 5m swimming pool (below), flanked by Ampilly flagstones and terraced gardens planted with olive trees, cypresses and pines, is Provençal summertime bliss personified.
In this joyful Menorcan family home (above left), reimagined by French outfit Atelier du Pont, a terrace’s wide arches lined with bougainvillea frame a panorama that stretches to the sea.
Julia Day’s cheerful take on outdoor living in this Johannesburg courtyard (above right), with its bright loungers and custom-designed golden planters with potted palms, is relaxed and comfortable yet fun – the very pinnacle of sunshine living.
Seen from the garden, architect Sean Mahoney’s house (below), gradually being engulfed in vegetation, features covered verandas from which to enjoy the wild, naturalistic planting.
Drawing on the charm of the Portugal’s Comporta region – the vernacular of fishermen and farmers’ huts in particular – interior architect Rita Andringa of Andringa Studio and architect Nuno Lopes created the ultimate in a simple and serene summer escape.
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