Beyond, the sea. Beyond, a horizon that becomes blurred as the distance grows. Right here a house that blends comfort with architecture, in a stunning setting. Its name is Beyond and the project is by much respected architecture firm SAOTA.
It is located in Cape Town, South Africa, on the shoulders of the famous Lion’s Head mountain, on a steep slope that drops towards the famous series of white sandy beaches from Clifton tothe Twelve Apostles. Beyond boasts six floors built into or leaning against a hillside.
The lower levels house six generous bedrooms, three of which can be interconnected to form a family suite and a complete double volume entertainment space, with spa, games and cinema. The main living area sits at the top of the building – a large, open, double-height space that houses the kitchen, bar, dining room, living room and family bedrooms, as well as a winter lounge, an art gallery and a study on the mezzanine.
Clear glass surfaces remove the boundaries between indoors and outdoors. The latter boasts a beautiful and generous garden, opening straight onto the Table Mountain National Park, linked to a swimming pool that extends out towards the sea.
The space/light dichotomy clearly shows its modernist inspiration. In fact, the entrance façade responds to Le Corbusier’s definition of architecture: a «magnificent set of volumes assembled under the light». From the entrance hall the visitor is led upwards towards the generous light of the higher common levels. The house appears to be a robust, seamless composition, but in fact the various functions are defined by the intersection of planes, ceilings and floor treatments.
The masterful interaction of light, space and brute materiality provides a generous hospitality to another ‘family’- an important collection of contemporary South African art. The collection is in the gallery, but the magnificent work of SAOTA and ARRCC, who designed the interiors together with OKHA, have made Beyond work of art in its own right. Beyond, the sea! Right here, architecture, light and art!
