South African Sanctuary

Nature takes center stage at this waterside home

Perched atop a slope overlooking Botrivier Lagoon just southeast of Cape Town, South Africa, this home in the Benguela Cove Lagoon Wine Estate takes full advantage of its sweeping views with a design that captures the essence of indoor-outdoor living.

Surrounded by a slope of indigenous fynbos vegetation that runs into the tidal estuary, the home capitalizes on its breathtaking mountain views. Nature pervades the house—the seamless flow of internal floors and ceilings into external living spaces mirrors the fynbos planting, which stalks the edges of the internal perimeter, enfolds the terraces and decks, and seeps into the courtyard.

The architectural design by SAOTA and interiors by ARRCC Interior Design Studio negotiates the paradox of exposure to nature—how to shackle the extreme elements of sun, salt, rain and in particular, high winds, while also allowing the exceptional natural beauty of the site to permeate every space.

The owner’s vision for a comfortable retreat for his children coupled with livable outdoor spaces for entertaining led to a C-shaped layout with wings designed to maximize outdoor views while also creating a large sheltered courtyard. The interior design by ARRCC captures the minimalist sensibility of the architecture.

Such an unusual form could feel out of place without its references to the distinctly local architectural style of barns and fruit-packing sheds. Timber sidings appear at the entrance and are repeated on key ceiling planes. The roofs are a celebration of corrugated aluminum, and the over-sailing arms of the C-shaped layout are a reinterpretation of the traditional alphabetic planning of the wings or “werfs” of historic local farms.

The entrance at the back of the building is deliberately understated; a modest canopy shelters the front door, which opens onto a landing from which a broad spine gently traces down the natural gradient alongside a generous garden courtyard. The corridor ends at the kitchen, whose island—a solid block of granite—forms a fulcrum with the principle living areas placed at right angles, parallel with the lagoon. The kitchen looks out over an open-plan dining and lounge area toward a fireplace and picture window framed in a massive concrete hearth wall.

“Through the use of rich materials and an edited color palette, the decor is seamlessly integrated, optimizing the sense of space,” says Mark Rielly, ARRCC director.

The internal living wing suspends between the garden courtyard and covered decks leading out to a pool that appears to blend into the lagoon beyond. The slope of the distinctive timber clad soffit was carefully calibrated to provide shelter from the prevailing wind. It extends out from the lounge to create an external living room and outdoor kitchen, which are further enclosed by movable screens.

Floor-to-ceiling glass and an edited approach to furnishings make for unobstructed views of the surrounding lagoon and mountains.

In a nod to the area’s untouched surroundings, the home’s designers used organic materials like wood, marble and granite for both the structure and furnishings.

The dining area was created to encourage entertaining and includes a Bison dining table by local manufacturer OKHA, which can easily accommodate up to 10 people. The Bison’s solid oak top and powdercoated steel base also forge a hand-in-glove narrative with the ceiling’s beautiful timber sidings.

The two upper wings house bedrooms with elevated views across the lagoon to the mountains. Overlooking the deck, OKHA’s signature swivel STM armchair provides the viewer with a 360-degree view of the estuary and interior.

Throughout the house, furnishings selected by ARRCC—generally produced by OKHA—provide a warm and luxurious counterpoint to the architecture. OKHA’s signature fine wool and bamboo silk Diamond rug, which takes its inspiration from geometry and rock formations, complement the granite floors of the living room.

Their luxurious L-shaped Jada sofa, solid oak frame Miles armchair and Nicci armchair in an olive-green leather finish provide ample seating. The Capri coffee table in Volakas white marble resonates with the geological environs, while leather poufs add a casual flair to the layout.

The designers took an edited approach to the interior and exterior spaces, placing emphasis on the use of organic architectural materials such as wood, concrete and granite that speak to the natural surroundings. The result is a refuge with a sleek, modern feel that stands in harmony with its unspoiled setting. □