CENTRESTAGE

CENTRESTAGE
Habitat
Vantage Point
Award-winning firm Stefan Antoni Olmesdahl Truen Architects build a
home in Cape Town that is attuned to its surroundings.
text: Gretchen Ferrao | photographs: Adam Letch; Courtesy SAOTA
W
ould you rather live
down by the sea or up in
the mountains? Before
you answer, you might
want to flip through the
next few pages...
Nettleton 195, the
five-storey Cape Town residence featured here,
takes the beach versus mountain debate to a
whole new level — literally! Perched on the
slopes of Lion’s Head, overlooking the Atlantic,
the 174.7-square-metre property enjoys the best
of both worlds. In fact, it was the location that
inspired the architecture of the house. As the
team at Stefan Antoni Olmesdahl Truen
Architects (SAOTA) explain, “The concept was
to create an uncluttered and open living
platform, which had a direct relationship to the
fantastic, panoramic views of the ocean... as well
as that of the mountain (from the dining room
and the stairwell). The clarity of the design also
complemented our client’s wishes to have a
home that worked brilliantly when entertaining,
indoors or outdoors.”
As with most ingenious designs, there were
bound to be a few challenges along the way.
Given the steep and rugged nature of the site,
piling was not possible for fear of damaging
adjacent properties. This called for a regimented
structure, which, as the architects elaborate, “is
expressed in a muscular concrete frame below
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(Clockwise, from left) Built along
the slopes of Lion’s Head, a
mountain near Cape Town, the
exteriors employ large panelled
glazings, aluminium louvres
and pergolas to capitalize on the
panoramic view.
Framed in cedar, the entrance
to the home has a rustic,
inviting appeal.
Owing to the steep elevation of
the terrain and proximity to the
adjoining road, the entrance hall
and garage have to be accessed via
a bridge.
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the ‘platform’.” The resultant building is
characterized by generous panelled glazing, in
combination with aluminium louvres and
pergolas. While the former provides for
breathtaking vistas from the upper two floors, the
latter ensure privacy and protection from the
elements wherever required. The sharp gradient of
the terrain, along with the position of the main
road, also posed the problem of access. For this, a
bridge was constructed, connecting the street with
the entrance hall and garage on the midlevel.
Inside, a spinal open-tread staircase connects all
five levels. An expansive skylight over the
stairwell ensures that every level — right down
to the lowest one, a predominantly doublevolume gallery space, which includes a cellar,
pool table, bar and open media room —receives
ample natural light. The first floor, a half level,
(Above) A view
of the light-filled
entrance lobby.
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In the living area, an L-shaped Norman sofa by Arketipo and an MYO Pivoting armchair
by Ligne Roset gravitate around the Kutu Slim coffee table. Adding artistic flavour to the
space, are a 2006 artwork by Cecil Skotnes and sculptures by William Kentridge.
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accommodates the staff quarters and a plant room.
The heart of the home, however, lies on the second
floor that is made up of the principle living spaces,
that is, two living rooms, an open kitchen and a
triple-volume dining area. All rooms open out onto
adjoining terraces or garden spaces that are replete
with lounging areas, social nooks, water features
and a patch of greenery. The final two floors
(incidentally, the only ones that rise above natural
ground) comprise four west-facing bedrooms (with
attached baths), a triple garage, a study and the
entrance hall at street level.
concept: The idea was to create the house as a ‘platform’ which had a direct relationship to the views and local climate.
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A rich material palette, comprising of leather,
galvanized steel, natural stone and varied timbers,
compensates for the compact size of most rooms.
International furniture brands, such as Artifort,
Arketipo, Ligne Roset, Paola Lenti, Royal Botania,
Poliform and the Modern Garden Company, have
been tastefully composed to effect comfy,
clean-lined and modern interiors. Also, some
(Clockwise, from top left) In
the bar area, cool materials
(sheet metal and concrete) are
juxtaposed with warm timber.
The angular countertop and
storage unit, coupled with highgloss Jolie barstools from Ligne
Roset, lend a dynamic quality to
the composition.
In contrast to the straightlined dining table (a custom
design by Antoni Associates
and OKHA Interiors), are the
curvy Little Tulip chairs by
Artifort from Limeline.
Connecting the four levels of
the residence, is a dramatic
open-tread staircase in wood
and glass. A skylight overhead,
floods the stairwell with
copious amounts of sunlight.
The artwork seen here, is Jung
& Yang by Norman Catherine.
The lounge opens out onto
a deck, complete with a
kitchenette and an infinityedge pool. The Sunset dining
table is by Paola Lenti and
Allusion chairs by Royal
Botania from ELDC.
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(Clockwise, from left) The
leather GT Armchair from
OKHA Interiors is an ideal spot
to unwind.
This bedroom has been
accessorized with the Kelvin T
adjustable table lamp by Flos,
the Half Moon Mini lamp by
Karboxx, and the Fires of the
Truth Commission artwork by
Kim Berman.
Customized by Antoni
Associates, the ash-hued,
upholstered bed here, flaunts
‘Stitch’ detailing. The room is
illuminated by Flos’ K Tribe T1
bedside lamps and the Black
Coupé lamp by Oluce from
A&I. The cool-toned Pastel Car
Scene is by Tommy Motswai.
MATERIALS: Facade Concrete, aluminium louvres,
panelled glazings and cedar. Walls Paint with
timber, sheet metal, concrete and silver quartzite
claddings. Flooring Ipe timber, lime-washed oak,
polished concrete and honed marble tiles.
Furniture Custom-designed pieces by Antoni
Associates, OKHA Interiors, Artifort from Limeline,
Arketipo from Crema, Ligne Roset, Paola Lenti, Royal
Botania from ELDC, Poliform, Modern Garden
Company. Lighting Flos and Karboxx from Province
Lighting, Oluce from A&I and Tonic Design.
Accessories Sanderson, Dandelion Clocks from St
Leger, A&I. Artwork Willem Boshoff, Kim Berman,
Tommy Motswai, Norman Catherine, Deborah Bell,
Cecil Skotnes and William Kentridge.
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bespoke pieces were designed by Antoni Associates
(SAOTA’s interior design division) in collaboration
with OKHA Interiors.
The restrained, greyscale backdrop has been
enlivened with vibrant art and soft furnishings.
While the cavernous gallery space (on the lowest
level) serves as a showcase for the owner’s
collection of contemporary South African art, the
rest of the home features work by the likes of Kim
Berman, Tommy Motswai, Norman Catherine and
Deborah Bell, among others.
Nettleton 195 appears reclusive within its hilly
setting, yet well-connected with its affluent
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(Clockwise, from top) From
the sculptural Poliform Snake
chair and footstool to the 6
arm Jielde lamp (Tonic Design)
and artist William Kentridge’s
Woman, this bedroom reminds
one of an art gallery.
A double-volume, off-shutter,
in situ concrete wall defines the
wine cellar and extends into the
water feature, which has been
clad in silver quartzite ribbons
of stone.
Like most of the spaces in this
residence, the study enjoys
sweeping views of the city
below and the waters of the
Atlantic Ocean beyond.
suburban address. Architecture that opens itself
to the great outdoors, yet respects the privacy of
its residents. Interiors that marry contrasting
materials, effortlessly at that! A design that is a
contextual response to site and owner
sensibilities alike.
fact file: Project Nettleton 195. Location Clifton,
Cape Town. Area 874.7 sq m (site). Architecture
Philip Olmesdahl, Stefan Antoni & Francois Geldenhuys
(Stefan Antoni Olmesdahl Truen Architects). Interior Design
Mark Rielly & Vanessa Theron (Antoni Associates). Furniture
OKHA Interiors. year of completion 2010.
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CENTRESTAGE
Habitat
a home by SAOTA
[SMART PickS]
OPEN UP
IN SYNC
The modern bathroom is more of a spa, a space to
rejuvenate the senses. So why not tear down the walls and
make this former functional area a part of your bedroom.
If you just have to have boundaries, there are subtle ways
to demarcate spaces. Here, the bathroom is built on a split
level. Furthermore, note how materials have been used to
define sections: honed marble floor tiles in the bathroom
and lime-washed oak flooring in the lounge space.
This study is a lesson in harmony. Smooth-plastered,
painted walls (partially seen) and a lime-washed oak
flooring balance out the rustic appeal of the customdesigned design by Antoni Associates. Manufactured
by Pierre Cronje, the desk is simplistic, yet lends
much needed character to an otherwise ordinary
space. Adding that finishing touch, is the Alcantara
red Alster desk chair from Ligne Roset.
THE GREAT WALL
IDEA EXTENSION
The feature wall in this wine cellar is the perfect
example of unconventional use of a conventional
material. Concrete is often associated with exteriors
or industrial spaces. Here, it takes centre stage
as a double-volume, off-shutter in-situ wall with
a typographic design. The wall extends to form a
water feature, clad in silver quartzite ribbons.
Subtle design elements can be used to create
continuity. Here, overall angular design of the
countertop is echoed in the bar cabinet. Choose
a motif or even a colour and let it run across
various mediums within a space. It could appear
as stencilling on a focus wall, a jaali cut-out, on
fabrics, etc.
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