A Dream Come True

The contemporary home has a relaxed, peaceful quality with a seamless connection between indoor and outdoor living. A tree provides a shady spot on the cantilevered terrace beside the pool

A prestigious South African lawman and ex-model wife with two children had a goal since they married: build a villa in the bay from Bantry Bay, on the West coast of Cape Town. They approached architect Antonio Zaninovic to design a home which is ideal for comfortable family living as well as plenty of dinner parties

Photographs by Montse Garriga

A natural stone wall makes an interesting feature in the spacious living room

Even when they were first wed, a successful couple living in South Africa knew they wanted to build a villa in the picturesque Bantry Bay in Cape Town. The lawyer and his ex-model wife, along with their two children, liked the area a lot due in part to its central location in the town, but also because of its sheltered aspect and amazing views out over the Atlantic.

Once they had found the right plot, the next step was to source an architect. They were recommended Antonio Zaninovic, whose work they did not know at first. However, after just one meeting they had a relationship that was bursting with ideas and positivity. Almost immediately the couple decided that he was to be the architect to design their villa.

However, the plot they had bought still held some challenges. The terrain was quite irregular, with a steep slope. In addition, there were large trees that had to be maintained there. The only option for the team was to build the house as close as possible to the back edge of the perimeter, which allowed for a garden at the front, as well as areas of shade which the couple requested. The shape of the plot allowed Antonio to design the house as something of a boomerang, with the windows facing the ocean. He decided to put the pool and the cantilevered terrace on the first floor because it had better views.

The contemporary home has a relaxed, peaceful quality with a seamless connection between indoor and outdoor living. Concrete is used for the ceilings and walnut wood floors to add warmth. The floor to ceiling windows make the most of the spectacular view and draws plenty of natural light indoors

The contemporary home has a relaxed, peaceful quality with a seamless connection between indoor and outdoor living. The main floor is a large space without walls that connects the dining room, the living room, the bar, the kitchen and the pool on the right side. Concrete is used in the ceilings and walnut wood floors add warmth

Inside, the idea was to project an organic, open construction that integrated perfectly with nature. Antonio chose to use concrete - clearly seen in the ceilings and columns of the main room - for its texture, and walnut wood for the floors for its warmth. The couple wanted to live in a relaxed way, with few divisions and in large open spaces so guests could move from one space to the other easily.

Another factor for Antonio to consider was the large number of dinners and parties that the couple organise, so a fundamental requirement was a connection between interior and exterior. Therefore, they opted for windows without frames for the living and dining rooms, which open completely in the hall and the kitchen. The main floor is a large space without walls that connects the dining room, living room, bar, kitchen and the pool. The hall is on the left, and this leads out to the balcony.

Following through, there is an office and guest bedroom which are both at garden level, while on the upper floor there are three further bedrooms, each with their own en suite bathroom, and another living room, all with a view out to another terrace.

Another pre-requisite from the couple for Antonio to consider was the maxim that all the decoration contained ‘nothing that does not serve a purpose’. So timeless furniture and objects of discreet beauty dominate the new home, alongside works by local artists which the couple sourced.

Ultimately, everything in the home is centred around relaxation, peace and tranquillity, the culmination of a long held ambition, and a stunning testament to a blossoming relationship between architect and client.

The spectacular kitchen is dominated by the central concrete island unit. The same material is used in the ceilings and walnut wood floors add warmth.