Head Road 1816, Fresnaye Home, Cape Town House, South African Property Photos

Head Road 1816, South Africa : Cape Town Property

South African Residence: Contemporary Home in Fresnaye – design by SAOTA, architects

page updated 25 Sep 2016 with new photos ; 22 Nov 2012

Head Road 1816

Location: Fresnaye, Cape Town, South Africa

Design: SAOTA – Stefan Antoni Olmesdahl Truen Architects

Photos : Adam Letch

Contemporary Cape Town House

The clients required a four bedroom home for their young family, the design of which had to encapsulate all the qualities of luxury open-plan living while still providing a homely environment.

The practicalities of the site – steepness and town planning restrictions – were key initial drivers in determining the parameters available. The narrow proportion of the property also necessitated the careful consideration of privacy and bedroom accommodation, which is set back from the street or suitably screened.

Effort was put into capitalising on views to the rear onto Lions Head as well as across Sea Point and the Atlantic Seaboard. There is a clear vertical distinction between the living and bedroom accommodation. With young children, the bedrooms needed to be in close proximity to each other and to the parents thus a securable ‘family only’ portion of the home was a result.

The upper-most level accommodates the master bedroom; a generous open-plan space inclusive of a dressing area and en suite bathroom. From the entrance a timber staircase accesses the primary living and entertainment area. The living areas are arranged to allow seamless connection to the garden, covered terrace and pool. Level changes, the ceiling plane and sliding doors subtly define this versatile space.

The language of the house reflects bold contemporary lines and extended planes, but the introduction of timber has softened and blurred this distinction. The tactile qualities of timber and the way it is used activate the senses – the sound and smell of the hardwood timber underfoot on the staircase sets a tone on entering the house. Screening elements ensuring privacy have become an integral component of the aesthetic.

The juxtaposition of solid mass to large expanses of transparency is transitioned with semi-transparent slatted screens and shutters. The architectural language takes its cues from a Spanish approach to simple cubic volumes with punctured openings and planar walls that open up to create generous ocean views.

Such a narrow, steep site often compromises the final outcome but here, with the seamless connection of indoor and outdoor spaces, the heart of the house was successfully extended from boundary to boundary.

Head Road 1816 – Building Information

Project Name: Head Road 1816
Location: Fresnaye, Cape Town
Architects: SAOTA – Stefan Antoni Olmesdahl Truen Architects
Project Team: Philip Olmesdahl, Stefan Antoni, Tamaryn Hammond & Mark Bullivant
Interior Decor: Maxine Olmesdahl
Completion Date: 2011

Photographs: Adam Letch

Head Road 1816 images / information from SAOTA – Stefan Antoni Olmesdahl Truen Architects

SAOTA Architects

Location: Fresnaye, Cape Town, South Africa