COVE 3 HOUSE by SAOTA | KNYSNA, SOUTH AFRICA

Along the South African coastline outside the town of Knysna, architecture office SAOTA in collaboration with Antoni Associates designed the ‘Cove 3′ house.

Nestled in the cliff-top estate “The Cove” in Pezula, Knysna, in South Africa, the Cove 3 house was designed by the architecture office SAOTA to be integrated into the topography & natural colour of the fynbos, maintaining a seamless connection with landscape and ocean.

Originally designed  for a Johannesburg based family, the Cove 3 house can be used as a family home but is also the perfect place for holidays.

Contemporary architecture

Designed to optimize views and openness to the ocean, the architecture office SAOTA‘s primary idea was to create a single living space with a single roof element floating over it that responded to the slope of the site.

The Cove 3 house boasts an incredible roof set at a sufficiently high level, creating the illusion that one is sitting in the landscape rather than in a room. To reinforce the connection with the sky, the roof features a large triangular cut-out.

Moreover, the architecture office SAOTA undertook a very detailed solar analysis of the building to get direct sun out of the building. As a result, a midlevel horizontal sunscreen was added to the double height glass façade and the skylight is protected by a timber screen that hangs into the space to mitigate the scale of the double volume space.

Care was also taken in selecting performance-glass that would minimise the impact of direct sun.

To fade Cove 3 house into the landscape, the architecture office SAOTA mainly chose natural materials such as off-shutter concrete, Rheinzink roofing, timber cladding, stone and exposed aggregate.

All these elements, the high and sloped roof, the tall glass walls, the outdoor deck, the infinity-edge pool and all these natural elements, contribute to the residence’s south-facing orientation, to fade it into the landscape for complete intimacy and to preserve the natural environment.

Outstanding interior design

Inside the Cove 3 house, a spiral stair connects the living level to a private lounge and the master bedroom on a mezzanine level. This stair was conceived as a sculptural element in the large volume to again mitigate the scale of this space. This spiral drops through the floor to a lower level which houses a guest bedroom, a home theater and a living room.

“The interiors are uncluttered and reflect the easy living requirements of the clients. Spaces are sparse, and have been furnished minimalistically which emphasize the strong architectural lines and volume of the architecture. The furniture is modern, and a number of bespoke pieces were sourced from the designer’s retail outlet OKHA. A neutral palette of ivory, stone and shell complement the natural architectural timber and concrete finishes selected throughout,” says Mark Rielly of Antoni Associates.

Kloof Road House by Nico van der Meulen Architects

Johannesburg, in the natural reserve in Bedfordview is located the last Nico Van Der Meulenarchitects project, the Kloof Road House.
This family home is entirely opened and is a true communion space with the environment that represents 1100 sq.m of steel and impressive materials.

The choice of materials

The Kloof Road House is entirely opened upon nature for a unique environmental experience. At the outside the off-shutter boundary wall with black steel shapes reveals all this architectural piece originality.

The 4 black-steel garage doors complete perfectly the sculptural shapes of the guard pavilion and the porte cochere, as the suspended outdoor lights will guide you at night in a design and abstract way.

The Kloof Road House materials are principally steel, glass and concrete. Perfectly integrated to the unique form of the house, the steel rooftop of the entrance hall overhangs a huge window while a perfectly original staircase will lead you to the superior floor. The entrance wall is wooden-plated and 3D forms are recreated through the roof’s shapes.

Interior Design

M Square Lifestyle Necessities imagined the Kloof Road House interior design. It composed itself with perforated steel panels and off-shutter concrete. All the lightening elements are completing the house’s impressive form and define its angles. Once again, the same materials are used for a perfect visual harmony.

The melted interior / exterior is possible thanks to the huge glass panels, so the Kloof Road House’s lanai impose itself as a true extension of the living room. The living room, the dining room, the kitchen and the lanai are entirely opened and compose a giant living space were everything fit together in harmony with its concrete floors.

More than just a true wonder, the Kloof Road House is also made to respect natural energies, indeed its has connected solar panels and a water-based under floor heating system in each of its marvelous rooms.

The rooms

The Kloof Road House offers you 4 suites, two of which for children and a guest suite. At the first floor is the master suite entirely opened with a huge balcony overhanging the lanai. While admiring the breath-taking view of the horizon you can enjoy the wonderful opened-bathroom, but also your own private lounge with plasma Tv and fireplace.

Added to all these living rooms, you can also enjoy yourself at the playroom that is also opened to a balcony and the garden. A true sculptural and bold space which is also welcoming and ideal for all the family.

Amazing House Lombardo in Switzerland

Perched upon a hill overlooking a tranquil lake in Vernate, Switzerland, the spectacular House Lombardo was sketched out by Philipp Architekten. The house features a white, minimalistic appearance on the outside, but on the inside, things are a little bit different.

Even though the main living areas feature a predominant shade of white, they also boast super wooden furnishings as well as lovely houseplants for an extra touch of contrast and liveliness. The bedrooms and bathrooms feature all sorts of high-end amenities and ensure an appropriate amount of privacy, while the main living room acts as an open space boasting never-ending views of the nearby lake and not-so-near mountains.

With a perfect mix of comfort, elegance and fine taste, the House Lombardo is surely one of the most amazing abodes in the world. Luckily for you, you can see it all for yourself in the following pictures.

 

Floating House Concept Presents New Ideas for Sustainability

 An innovative design this floating house presents new ideas for sustainability and modern design. The project, which is housed on a buoyant platform was conceptualized and created for the French firm H2ORIZON and constructed by Singapore-based architect Dymitr Malcew.

 The luxurious floating home includes a spacious living room, two bedrooms with contemporary bathrooms, and a fully functional modern kitchen. Surrounded by large glass walls, it offers 360-degree views to the natural surroundings. The boundaries between interior and exterior space is blurred by these glass walls and as the house floats from place to place the occupants are able to enjoy many views.

 The home was also designed to meet the highest possible standards for sustainability, and leaves a minimal impact of the ecosystem. The layout of the floating house is easily altered to create custom-crafted structures suitable to local weather and the needs of its inhabitants. There’s even a beautiful roofed terrace providing views of the stars at night.