EXCLUSIVE ELEGANCE Situated in one of the world’s most exclusive residential addresses, Clifton Three is a modern architectural masterpiece emerging from the breathtaking mountainside of Cape Town, writes Shelley Travers.
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ounded in 1998, Cape Town-based Peerutin brings together a team of associates, architects and technicians with an expertise and passion that is evident in each of their residential and commercial projects. When the practice was just five years old it was approached by a client looking to take some risks in the design of a new home with views across the Atlantic Ocean through to the Twelve Apostles mountain range. A RAREFIED LOCATION Located in exclusive Nettleton Ridge, each of the four separate houses in the estate – two others also designed by Peerutin architects – are accessed via a single driveway with 24-hour security. Although individual, each house follows the same strategy for incorporating the structures within the environment. “We strive for design which is crisp, clean, contemporary and always contextual,” says David Peerutin, co-principal and design partner of Peerutin. “In Cape Town, we are privileged to be asked to design houses in some of the world’s most beautiful locations, and by softening and quietening the architecture, the beauty of the surrounding environment becomes the true star.” Due to the location of the home and in deference to existing neighbours, the property needed to rest below Nettleton Road. Added to this constraint, is the steeply sloping mountainside. The house also needed to exist across four floors encompassing an outdoor living space. What you see is the result of a complex interaction
between the client, professional team and suppliers which also required a Geotechnical Engineer,” explains Peerutin. The result is stunning – uniting architecture that is both bold and earthy but also light and uncluttered. SPACIOUSLY INTIMATE The home is accessed via a cascade of steps or from the vehicle ramp where one can either take a lift or timberclad stairs into the main living spaces, which displays some of the client’s extensive art collection. The living
01 The home has been designed with large expanses of fully retractable glazing that allows for views of the Atlantic Ocean. 02 The outdoor areas offer plenty of space to relax and enjoy the view or to swim year-round in the heated pool.
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“This was a bespoke house for a young and growing family, that loves to entertain and share their space with friends and family,” says Peerutin. “While being a very large home, it needed to enable the family to occupy select portions of the house in a way that feels intimate and contained. The house is carefully divided into use zones and thoughtfully linked to offer maximum flexibility for their different needs at different times.” The uninterrupted views are a big selling point but it is the easy flow of the living spaces, the clear distinction of use and the superb finishes that set this home apart from others and assures its position in one of the world’s most exclusive neighbourhoods.
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03 The formal lounge room is an eclectic mix of modern furniture, bright contemporary art with an earthy sisal rug and marble coffee table. 04 The continuous ribbon of white painted façade wrapped around a black steel structure gives the house a signature modernist look. 05 An elegant casual dining table borders the kitchen and living spaces creating a functional flow for both living and entertaining.
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POLISHED TO PERFECTION The finishes within the home are modern and contemporary with Scandinavian wood floors throughout. areas open onto a neatly landscaped garden, expansive The kitchen has marble countertops and splash backs, an element that has been extended into the feature wall of outdoor entertaining area with sunken fire-pit and a long heated swimming pool framing the edge of the property. the media room. A stone wall separates the indoor living spaces and outdoor area. Inside there is an open-plan kitchen leading onto a There is a textural feel to the furnishings used throughout. family-friendly living space, a study and a playroom. Modern in design and form, the array of different textures There is also a more formal entertaining area that gives the interior design an eclectic, comfortable feel. connects to a media room and bar. “There is a strong design principle that is often evident The master bedroom suite has an intimate Bali Lounge, double bathrooms, his-and-hers dressing rooms as well as in houses designed and built along the so-called ‘Atlantic a relaxed Pajama Lounge and small kitchenette. The other Seaboard’. One which captures the beauty of the side of this level of the house is dedicated to children with surroundings and is reminiscent of the best modernist designs,” explains Peerutin. a bedroom and adjoining bathroom. In Clifton Three, Peerutin architects have created an In the lowest level of the house there is an office and open home with a modernist outlook and a comfortable a gym with bathroom, steam room and sauna plus two aesthetic – eminently livable and entirely enviable. guest bedrooms, a wine cellar and two staff suites. 123