Fuchsia house was designed for a recently retired couple with a large close knit extended family.
Located on the east coast of South Africa, on a modest lot within a gated golfing estate, this spacious home graciously asserts itself on the gently sloping square shaped site in a way that the allowable build area is maximized and all the specific living requirements are included. Architecturally the home takes on a contemporary feel with simple forms and a palette of light materials.
The arrival point is a spacious double volume three sided courtyard area with access to 4 garages and guest parking. The front entrance door directly off the courtyard opens onto a 180 degree unobstructed view over the swimming pool, towards the golf course fairway in the foreground and sporadic distant sea views. The double volume dining and lounge area is flanked by an open plan kitchen and scullery/laundry to one side and guest accommodation to the other.
Ascending the suspended staircase to the private suites on the upper floor, the journey enjoys the
experience of an ever evolving pattern of thin shadow lines projected by the double volume aluminium screens introduced to moderate the hot afternoon sun angles. Once again the upper portion of the double volume living area below is flanked by family rooms and a TV lounge to the one side and the master suite to the other. These areas are linked by a 9m bridge that also enjoys the display of beautiful late afternoon aluminium screen shadow casting.
The up-swept light weight butterfly roof floating over the core of the house draws an enormous amount of natural light into the internal reaches of the home, whilst heavier concrete roof elements are used to provide shade to the view facing bedrooms and outdoor areas, whilst also defining the modern intentions and aspirations of the home. All the finer architectural decisions and detailing have been intentionally considered in order to collectively give the house a sense of lightness and defined movement as it effortlessly appears to “take off” in the direction of the endless views.
