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The murals on the back wall were designed by artist Lorenzo Nassimbeni : They create a three-dimensional linear effect that’s completely in tune with the vision of the Modernist house. The groundcover is apricot pips and the two chairs came from the owner’s grandparents. -
Yelda designed the two-sided sofa, which was made by Jo Carlin : The cream leather armchair is from Pier Rabe Antiques in Stellenbosch and the coffee table from Eddie Zoom. Opposite are two green suede Jetson chairs by Bruno Mathsson for DUX from Mid-Century Modern. -
The concrete bench outside acts as floating seating — and lounging — area : With its integrated planter, it blends seamlessly into the forest beyond. -
A mountain boulder has been incorporated into the outside wall of this en-suite bathroom : The artwork in the bedroom is by Michael Taylor. On the Dokter and Misses tray table is a blue Tab T table lamp by Barber & Osgerby for Flos. The floor is Corcoleum, a mix of compressed sawdust and wood flour. -
In the master bedroom, the floors are cypress : The shutters, bookshelves and bath surrounds are smoked kiaat. Yelda had the Knoll armchairs reupholstered and sourced the Benedikt brass and acrylic side tables from Mid-Century Modern. -
The textured back wall of the property aims to replicate the slopes of Table Mountain : The contemporary wire table is by Patricia Urquiola. -
The weekend home has been designed around an enclosed courtyard -
Ivy has been planted along the outside walls : It will eventually grow to cover them, creating the impression of a home sitting on a cushion of greenery. -
Architect Antonio Zaninovic and interior designer Yelda Bayraktar -
Wood is a strong feature in the living space : The feature wall was created by Shepherd Zvirawa from meranti wood. The table was custom-made by Grant Bramwell of Forest Creations from cypress trees. On the wall is “Beauty” by Olaf Hajek. The wooden toy gun is by Tomm Velthuis. -
The front door is cypress, harvested from trees cut down on the property : The flower pot table lamp is by Verner Panton. On the wall is “Midmorning Rehearsal” by Michael Taylor.
PHOTOS David Ross PRODUCTION Yelda Bayraktar WORDS Daniel Scheffler
Two Cape Town creatives drew inspiration from Japanese architecture and modernist pavilions to create a weekend home in the city’s southern suburbs that is all about flexible spaces and communal family living.
Most people dream of long weekends in the country, away from the distractions of the city. This home embodies the opposite – a family leaving their busy farm to seek refuge among the city lights. Fond childhood memories of Cape Town’s leafy southern suburbs, and a love of mountain walks, drove the family to a home in Newlands, where they hired architect Antonio Zaninovic and interior decorator Yelda Bayraktar to design the ultimate urban pad. The brief? To create a flock-together family space for weekend retreats in the dramatic shadow of Table Mountain.
Antonio, who is of Croatian and Chilean descent, is renowned for work that both reflects local context and is perfectly in tune with global architecture movements. “As a foreigner, I value buildings that remind us about their own particular place, and I want my work to reflect that,” he says. “But, having lived around the world, many cultural references infuse my work.”
At the same time, decorator Yelda’s Turkish influence came into play. “I’m particularly drawn to the vernacular Safranbolu houses in Turkey, which share many common concepts with traditional Japanese architecture. They have a flexibility of space and furniture, where walls are open and can become beds, and a fireplace can become a kitchen,” she says.
The owners, who travel to Japan often, were very in tune with these ideas, and they were incorporated into the architecture, garden and interiors. When it came to conceptualising the design of this Newlands home, the strongest influences were the family’s desire for plenty of communal space, areas of escape and a touch of Japan.
The result is a home that works perfectly for a family who look forward to bonding time over the weekend – with space for homework, playing games, watching TV, reading the newspaper and simply being together. The house is open to its suburban environment and neighbourly chats over the wall, and an open invitation for friends to pop round and use the pool contribute to its laid-back charm.
Inside, the retro furniture was sourced at several auctions. Yelda added her own touch by creating unusual sizes and cutting down some pieces to create a type of homage to grounded Japanese form. The owners’ miniature stool in the shower, for scrubbing feet, reflects the same sensibility.
These down-to-earth proportions were also a consideration for Antonio, and he incorporated smaller contained spaces and low ceilings that invite the residents to be closer to the ground. It has given the home a human scale and encourages the use of the courtyard and garden – where mountain and forest plants provide greenery and a waterfall tumbles over a medley of rocks – as contemplative spaces.
With rough walls in grey reflecting the tones of Table Mountain, the accents of wood panelling and greenery create an effect where the inside and outside of the house blend together seamlessly. Antonio speaks of “wanting to create a house floating on nothingness” and the minimalist horizontal lines and proportions certainly add to that sensation. The creepers and ivy will continue to envelop the house and further add to the feeling that it sits with lightness in its surroundings.
Antonio’s modernist vision, inspired by mid-century pavilions, ensures no distracting elements in the architecture of this house. “From anywhere in the house, you should be able to understand the total, so every space can benefit from every other space,” he explains. Continuing this modernist view, the small bedrooms have walls that are both closets and bathrooms, while the master bedroom has integrated furniture where a seat becomes a bookshelf and then a bathtub, a bed whose back is a closet, and a window that is both a mirror and the back of the shower.
Each room leads off the courtyard, perfect for a family that wants to camp together. The living room and dining room are actual extensions of the courtyard and can either be enclosed with glass or left completely open, depending on the season.
From the bed in the main bedroom “the lines of the house are very clear conversations, and that for me means success,” concludes Antonio.
Antonio Zaninovic Architecture Studio, 021 424 5043, antoniozaninovic.com
Yelda Bayraktar Consultancy, 072 546 5674
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