Clifton House, Nettleton, South African Property, Cape Town Home

Nettleton House, Clifton, South Africa : Cape Town Property

Cape Town Residence – design by SAOTA – Stefan Antoni Olmesdahl Truen Architects

29 Mar 2012

Clifton House

Location: Clifton, Cape Town, South Africa

Design: SAOTA – Stefan Antoni Olmesdahl Truen Architects

photo : SAOTA & Adam Letch

Contemporary Clifton Property

The client purchased the site, once SAOTA – Stefan Antoni Olmesdahl Truen Architects had completed an initial Design Concept for the previous property owner. The client loved the design, and the visual direction the home was going, and accordingly shaped his brief around the design he saw,” says Philip Olmesdahl, Project Partner.

Whilst the site is fairly small at 874.7m2 it sloped away dramatically, resulting in a house of 5 separate floors which in many instances connects to the adjacent natural ground levels, or raised platforms. One accesses the house at the midlevel between the second and the highest floor, resulting in the house being only 2 storeys above Nettleton Road.

photos : SAOTA & Adam Letch

This family home defines itself primarily by the way the principal living spaces at level two relate to the surrounding portions of site. This floor accommodates two generous living rooms, an open plan kitchen and triple volume dining room. Virtually all rooms open out to adjacent terraces or garden spaces, which allows the house to fully utilize the small property.

A dramatic open tread staircase and lift core, with a generous skylight creates a central spine which connects all the floors comfortably. Even the lowest level – which is a predominantly double volume gallery space formed by the cavernous space below the main living level and the steep natural ground line – has generous natural light via the stairwell and skylights.

This floor accommodates a cellar, large wall surfaces for the client’s art collection, pool table, bar and open media room. The next half level accommodates the staff quarters and plant room. As noted above, the second floor accommodates the main living rooms, which enjoy fantastic views, and connection to portions of gardens to the East and North.

The third and fourth floor accommodates four West facing en-suite bedrooms, a triple garage, a study and the entrance hall at street level. Views and a unique set of finishes enrich the otherwise compact size of most rooms.

All rooms enjoy fantastic views and connection to the exterior. Art walls are highlighted in the interior and the configuration of the interior décor was designed to show these off.

Robust finishes were used internally including unpainted galvanised steel, off shutter concrete, zinc wall cladding all of which are softened with an abundance of hard and soft woods used with rich stonework. Bespoke furniture adds to the gallery environment creating a rich interior of depth and refinement which is timeless.

“The interior is decidedly modern, effortless ultra-chic and makes you feel instantly comfortable and at home,” says Mark Rielly of ANTONI ASSOCIATES.

photos : SAOTA & Adam Letch

Nettleton Clifton House – Building Information

Project Name: Nettleton 195
Location: Clifton, Cape Town
Architects: SAOTA – Stefan Antoni Olmesdahl Truen Architects
Project Team: Philip Olmesdahl, Stefan Antoni & Francois Geldenhuys
Interior Design: ANTONI ASSOCIATES
Project Team: Mark Rielly & Vanessa Theron
Main Furniture Supplier: OKHA Interiors
Completion Date: 2010

Photographs: SAOTA & Adam Letch

Nettleton Clifton images / information from SAOTA – Stefan Antoni Olmesdahl Truen Architects

SAOTA Architects

Location: Clifton, suburb of Cape Town, South Africa

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