Pearl Bay Residence

This contemporary home is located on South Africas’ West coast, 90kms north of Cape Town. Taking full advantage of the ocean views and responding to the coastal dune context, Gavin Maddock describes it as ‘a spectacular site’.

The brief called for a ‘modern’ house with ocean views and observance of a budget, including the standard accommodation requirements. With the front dune sitting up a little higher than the rest of the site, the challenge was to reconcile house, dune and views. The result is a rectangular double storey structure of 600 square metres with imaginatively conceived outdoor living spaces. It comprises: three bedrooms, four bathrooms, living and dining areas both inside and out, a gallery, casual living room, a study, decks and balconies. Ocean views exist from virtually every room.

The architecture and interiors were inspired by the West coast landscape which is quite textural and typified by simple white houses and cottages, remminiscent of the Mediterranean. Cavity brick construction was used throughout with all walls plastered and painted white. Both the front and rear pavilions are two storeys, joined by the gallery, which is a single storey element. There is a seamless flow between these spaces and a sense of uninterrupted connection between inside and outside. The floor slabs are off-form concrete, contrasting with the painted plaster of the walls, yet further expressing the vertical line.

The scale of furniture, its colour and texture, were important to satisfy comfort levels. The unit seating and the dining table were custom designed to complement the space. The external furniture pieces were chosen for their scale and simplicity; bold pieces that hold the spaces together. The TV and all audio equipment was concealed in the living room wall cabinet, behind the large steel framed sliding panel that accommodates a substantial artwork. A custom designed fireplace was recessed into a stainless steel ledge.

The granite tiles were selected for their texture and grain, which resonates with rocks in the distance, providing that external feel – of being on the terrace. Their size is proportionate to the space and contrasts with certain soft textures within the interior. Here, the selection of furniture includes various modern classics.

Striving to reduce the structure to its minimum so as to maximise views, there are no ‘framed views’. The canvas had to be as large as possible on a site such as this, yet provide privacy to / from future neighbours and shelter from the elements. The opening was stretched to the maximum of 14 metres addressing the ocean. To achieve the lightness of the space, proportion and height was essential. Ceiling heights of 3,3 metres ensured this result, with full height sliding doors which retract into the structure to form a singular space.
The result is a serene home with large entertainment areas and all the mod cons.