Plettenberg Bay Residence, South African House in Bitou, Western Cape Province Property, Images
Beachyhead by Plettenberg Bay
South African Villa in Western Cape Province: Bitou Home – design by SAOTA Architects
12 Jul 2018
Beachyhead
Design: SAOTA
Location: Plettenberg Bay, Bitou Local Municipality, Western Cape Province, South Africa
Beachyhead

Brief

?The clients approached SAOTA to design a family holiday home that responded to the site, especially the views. They wanted a relaxing, yet elegant home that would be comfortable when entertaining many guests whilst also feeling intimate and cosy when it?s only one or two of them in the house,? said director and project leader Phillippe Fouché. Other factors that drove the conceptual organisation of the building were the views, sunlight, prevailing wind direction and the zoning parameters.
Site

This site is located to the South of Beacon Isle in Plettenberg Bay. The site slopes down to the beach and has uninterrupted views over the Indian Ocean, Robberg to the South East and the Outeniqua Mountains in the distance towards the North. The original contour plans revealed that this site was originally a dune with a higher mound towards the southern part of the site.

Approach

The house was conceived as a simple box, floating over the dune, capturing and framing the view. The outer shell of the box is finished in a rough textured concrete, contrasting with the smooth reveal and soffit that tapers to create a delicate...