Beachside Retreat
BEACHSIDE RETREAT
Jenny Mills Architects
ARCHITECTS
Jenny Mills Architects
ELECTRICAL CONSULTANT
Radical Systems
DESIGN TEAM
Margaret Mills, Craig McCosh
MANUFACTURERS
Cover Framless Glass, Decks and Deck Furniture, Earthfire Rike, Genuis Concpets, Macsteel, Mae Rugs, Plantation Shutters, Rootform, Stable Marketing
ARTISTS
Robin Kutinyu, Andre Stead, Vajra Kayman
LANDSCAPING
Nicholas Whitehorn Landscape Design
YEAR
2018
LOCATION
Rooi-els, South Africa
CATEGORY
Houses, House Interiors
House of calm on a windswept promontory - Sitting on the promontory of this windswept dune and rock peninsula in the Western Cape, a modern dwelling that maximizes views of the ocean and mountains was erected several years ago.
The architects were challenged by this Atlantic Ocean house design and were briefed to adopt a starkly exposed glass box to a tranquil private home.
It needed to feel ‘grounded’ in order to induce the warm, earthy feel the client required.
This meant the building was overhauled to create an enduring structure with minimal needs for preservation.
The house redesign was to respond to the landscape, so the owners’ experience of the home and scenery was carefully considered, not only with regard to views, but opportunities for shelter, privacy, and protection from the elements.
The redesign process had the building adapt to the many characteristics of the location.
This was so that the views and experiences of the natural environment could be enjoyed in the different ways and scales as they occur.
Detailed observations of nature on the terrain have informed the new house design.
This meant the building was overhauled to create an enduring structure with minimal needs for preservation.
In the newly established courtyard spaces and wind-sheltered zones, hardy dune plants and trees are taking root and growing. There is a softening to the rugged beauty.
Attracting smaller birds and wildlife, we have designed a retreat for both the house inhabitants and the outdoor inhabitants.
For both clients and designers, it has been an important journey in recognizing the significance of observing micro-climate and different moods associated with the immediate landscape as well as the distant views.
