M O U N T A I N   H O U S E

Residence - Oranjezicht, Cape Town

2011

Mountain House is located on a steep sloping site on the foot of Table Mountain bordering Table Mountain National Park.

In order to achieve the least impact on the site, the house is comprised of five pavilions which are tucked into the sloping terrain surrounded by the existing natural fynbos which stretches from the mountain slopes above the site to the road below.  The five pavilions mimic the lie of the land and lie like leaves that have fallen down the mountain.  The pavilions are in sympathy with the surrounding context in order to achieve as little visual impact as possible on the existing natural landscape.

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Habitable spaces have been created by using the age-old tradition of inserting stone walls into the landscape, thereby creating usable terraces and platforms. The colours of these stone walls emulate those of the cliffs of Table Mountain above and its presence anchors the design into the landscape.

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The wavy roof is like a piece of the site lifted off the ground, settling over the habitable spaces and platforms.  The concrete roof curves in both directions and takes its cue from the curved nature of the cliff faces on Table Mountain above and the contouring slope of the site below.  The roof therefore simulates the curve of the mountain face and the lie of the land.

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Glass is used to enclose these platforms to create habitable spaces within the indigenous natural surroundings.