SAOTA: st leon 10 residence, cape town

‘st leon 10 residence’ by SAOTA, cape town, south africaall images courtesy of SAOTA

nested within a steep site enjoying unbelievable views of the 12 apostle mountains, clifton beaches and robben island, the three tiered ‘st leon 10’residence in bantry bay, cape town, by local firm SAOTA creates a dynamic set of spaces that allows for large get togethers or more intimatefamily gatherings. the orthogonal house is characteristically defined by intersecting planes of stone, glass, wood screens, and concrete that definelivable spaces between and dictate levels of transparency. the street entrance contains solid elements for privacy, with an entrance sequence thatdips slightly into the site separating the user from the public realm into the private zone, where a reflecting pool and the convergence of stone into a glass vestibule shaded by a filter of slender wooden planks reveals the main entry. as one makes their way towards the southwestern side of thehome, the true vertical scale reveals itself with another floor below with lounge and bar spilling out onto a wooden deck with an infinity poolvisually combining the nearby ocean and man-made feature. all livable program is organized linearly on the glazed facade offering views and enjoying the privacy of a neighbor-less landscape until the horizon. the interiors, designed by antoni associates maintains a relatively neutral material palette, using the same external textures to highlight internal elements. polished timber floors match the reflective marble and smoothleather furnishings, assuring light-filled spaces enhanced by the wrapping natural scenery.

view from the street at the bottom of the short precipice

approach

entrance

walkway across reflecting pool into the house

doorway

entry sequence

living area with wrap-around window exposing undisturbed views of the ocean

bar and lounge on lower floor

sliding glass panels open the lounge to the exterior pool

transparent wall on the pool gives the effect of swimming in the nearby ocean

jacuzzi inside of the infinity pool

wood deck looking out over the scenery

bar

floor plan / level 0

floor plan / level 1

floor plan / level 2

elevation

elevation