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A Private Lagoon Retreat With Splendid Views All Around It

By Simona Ganea | Published on

Situated within the Benguela Cove Lagoon Wine Estate located South-East of Cape Town, this holiday home is the result of the close collaboration between the architects at SAOTA and the ARRCC interior designers. It was built on a gently sloping site at the edge of the water and is surrounded by indigenous vegetation.

The flat corrugated aluminum roof gives the house a sleek and modern appearanceView in gallery
The flat corrugated aluminum roof gives the house a sleek and modern appearance

An eye-catching staircase wall connects the two floors of the house. The interior areas seamlessly flow out into the external living spaces which feature a beautiful pergola. Further more, the pool appears to blend into the lagoon which emphasizes the strong relationship between the house and its surroundings even more.

A pergola gives the outdoor living and lounge area a very cozy and welcoming vibeView in gallery
A pergola gives the outdoor living and lounge area a very cozy and welcoming vibe
The building molds onto the sloping site, taking maximum advantage of the viewsView in gallery
The building molds onto the sloping site, taking maximum advantage of the views

From a structural point of view, the house has a C-shaped layout. This plan was selected for several different reasons: the extreme elements that the building has to face (harsh sun, strong winds, salt and rain), a desire to frame the views towards the mountains, the water and the surrounding landscape as well as the desire to create a private courtyard at the center. The glass balustrades which frame the outdoor spaces allow the views to be admired in their full splendor.

Glass balustrades frame the exterior living spaces allowing uninterrupted. panoramic views to be enjoyedView in gallery
Glass balustrades frame the exterior living spaces allowing uninterrupted. panoramic views to be enjoyed
The garden and the views seamlessly blend with the exterior and interior living spaces in a very soothing mannerView in gallery
The garden and the views seamlessly blend with the exterior and interior living spaces in a very soothing manner
Large full-height windows open up the interior living spaces to the views of the water and the distant mountainsView in gallery
Large full-height windows open up the interior living spaces to the views of the water and the distant mountains

The architecture of the house is modern and simple and the interior design reflects the same characteristics. The corrugated aluminum roof is beautifully complemented by the timber siding and the clean lines and geometries of the spaces. The interior spaces are minimalist and organized into an open plan lounge and dining area which also incorporates the a stunning kitchen island carved out of a solid block of granite and two wings on opposite sides of this volume which house the rest of the functions.

Sliding glass doors allow a seamless transition between the interior and exterior spaces while also letting air, light and views throughView in gallery
Sliding glass doors allow a seamless transition between the interior and exterior spaces while also letting air, light and views through
The interior design is minimalist and reduced to a few neutral color tones and a few simple materialsView in gallery
The interior design is minimalist and reduced to a few neutral color tones and a few simple materials
The chromatic palette featured inside the house is meant to establish a visual connection between the house and the surrounding landscapeView in gallery
The chromatic palette featured inside the house is meant to establish a visual connection between the house and the surrounding landscape
The furniture featured throughout the house is a blend of modern and classical design detailsView in gallery
The furniture featured throughout the house is a blend of modern and classical design details
The kitchen island is a giant solid block of granite and serves as a focal point of interest for the entire houseView in gallery
The kitchen island is a giant solid block of granite and serves as a focal point of interest for the entire house
The sculptural hanging lights complement the kitchen's decor and furnishings in a very chic wayView in gallery
The sculptural hanging lights complement the kitchen’s decor and furnishings in a very chic way
The kitchen, dining space and lounge area form an open plan volume situated at the center of the C-shaped houseView in gallery
The kitchen, dining space and lounge area form an open plan volume situated at the center of the C-shaped house
The two wings adjacent to the living space maximize the views and frame an internal courtyardView in gallery
The two wings adjacent to the living space maximize the views and frame an internal courtyard
The staircase which connects the two floors has glass railings and is complemented by a decorative wallView in gallery
The staircase which connects the two floors has glass railings and is complemented by a decorative wall
The private spaces are housed inside the two wings and offer some of the most spectacular viewsView in gallery
The private spaces are housed inside the two wings and offer some of the most spectacular views
The master suite has its own private terrace with transparent glass railings which allow the views to freely become a part of the interior decorView in gallery
The master suite has its own private terrace with transparent glass railings which allow the views to freely become a part of the interior decor
The bathrooms are designed to frame splendid views of the water as well and they're filled with natural lightView in gallery
The bathrooms are designed to frame splendid views of the water as well and they’re filled with natural light