This stunning residence was custom-designed for the family of a prominent real estate developer, blending mature sophistication with futuristic elements. The owner embraced a rare open-minded approach, situating this project within a traditionally conservative aesthetic landscape. As a result, this home stands out as a unique, sculptural, and unconventional landmark in the community. The couple, who met in Tel Aviv, share a deep appreciation for the Bauhaus-inspired White City, created by architects who fled Nazi persecution.
The design cultivates a luxurious atmosphere within this 600-square-meter independent home through the sculptural impact of sprayed paint finishes. The project thoughtfully preserves every tree on the site, fully leveraging the dense “jungle” of existing vegetation to ensure the owners’ privacy. This approach sharply contrasts with the scorched-earth tactics often favored by new wealth along Cape Town’s Atlantic coast.
Occupying a 700-square-meter street corner lot, this residence boldly defines the streets on both sides, creating a private garden that offers views to the sea and the north. The façade reflects the owner’s personality: the public-facing side is solid and conservative, while the private side features expansive sliding glass windows, lending a flexible and open feel.
The expansive wrap-around barbecue balcony, swimming pool, and lawn enrich the ground-level entrance area, providing seamless access to the living, dining, and kitchen spaces. Ascending the dramatic jungle-themed staircase to the upper level reveals a grand observation deck that connects all four bedrooms, offering the growing family uninterrupted views of Cape Town’s Atlantic Bay.
The rooftop vegetable garden, accessible via an outdoor spiral staircase, serves as the homeowners’ private retreat. It is designed with safety in mind, allowing children to be secured away from potential hazards with locks and keys. Despite the absence of gold-plated fixtures or animal-fur handrails, this home exudes boldness and extravagance through its sculptural form, lighting, and spatial design, all while maintaining a low-key and pragmatic essence.
Design Drawings
△ Basement Plan
△ First Floor Plan
△ Second Floor Plan
△ Roof Plan
Southeast Elevation View
Southwest Elevation View
Northeast Elevation View
Northwest Elevation View
△ Sectional Drawing AA
△ Sectional Drawing BB
Project Information
Project Type: Independent Residence, Villa Interior
Location: Cape Town, South Africa
Architectural Firm: Robert Silk & Partners
Area: 600 m²
Year: 2020
Photographer: Adam Letch
Manufacturers: AutoDesk, Blanco, Bticino Chile, Geberit, HEWI, Meir, Mentis, OGGIE, Rauch, Samsung, Smeg, Trimble Navigation, Villeroy & Boch, Zennio
Lead Architect: Robert Silk & Partners
Design Team: Alexander Geh, Robert McGiven, Nuhaa Soeker, Robert Silk
Structural Engineering: S & T Consulting Engineers
MEP Project: SolutionStation
Construction: Blackland Construction
Landscape: Robert Silk & Partners
Estimation Engineer: Khats & Sparks
Urban Planning: D & S Planning Studio
Heritage Conservation: Ashley Lillie
Interior Decoration: Lankham House Interiors
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