Modern South African House With Both Ocean And Mountain Views

The beautiful South African landscape is a major part of the architecture of this region. The houses built here are designed to take advantage of the views. A recent example is the residence built by studio Malan Vorster in Cape Town.

The backyard features an in-ground pool and a wooden lounge deck
The backyard features an in-ground pool and a wooden lounge deck

The house sits on a 720 square meter site stretching between the street and the ocean. The site features a steep slope which led the architecture to come up with a two-story design. 

The house can only be partially seen from the street level
The house can only be partially seen from the street level

The ground floor is clad in natural stone, a material that lets the house blend into the landscape. This is where the TV lounge, some of the bedrooms and a guest suite are located.

The bedrooms maximize the ocean views through their design
The bedrooms maximize the ocean views through their design

The first floor houses the entertainment areas including a large terrace with a wooden pergola. Big sliding doors made of glass ensure an easy transition between these spaces and help to bring the views inside.

The large bathroom mirror maximizes the natural light entering the room
The large bathroom mirror maximizes the natural light entering the room

The top floor gets the best views in the house and has two glazed walls to take advantage of this. The master bedroom suite and a study area can be found up here. 

The house was pushed back to preserve the trees at the front of the site
The house was pushed back to preserve the trees at the front of the site

The house’s simple geometric forms and modern architecture stand out against the organic landscape. At the same time, the materials used in its design are inspired by nature. This creates a beautiful connection between architecture and nature.

The big trees in the front garden became focal points and be seen from inside
The big trees in the front garden became focal points and be seen from inside
The ground floor lounge area features a fireplace framed by gorgeous views
The ground floor lounge area features a fireplace framed by gorgeous views
The open concept kitchen connects to a double-height entertainment area
The open concept kitchen connects to a double-height entertainment area