During the process of constructing a new residence in Constantia, the client’s adjoining property became available on the market, and was subsequently acquired and added to their existing property. As a consequence, a new design brief had to be developed by us in collaboration with the client and their landscape designer, Leon Kluge. The new brief sought to create a sense of farm-like living within the city by extending the existing house’s living spaces to a large landscaped area. The existing house on the newly acquired property was to be demolished, thereby opening a vast tract of land. Further requirements by the client included the creation of an underground showroom for his car collection, an orchid house, berry house, art studio, and a residence for visiting guests.

The main new visible structures were pushed to the periphery on the north-western boundary, thereby creating a sense of privacy from neighbours whilst opening up the view to Constantia Nek and the forested slopes of Table Mountain. Level differences were used to maximum effect, with the main arrival and guest parking positioned a full level lower than the existing house. This created the opportunity for a clearly defined entrance to the property, with a central staircase leading up to the meadow landscape. The route leads to a crossing defined by a body of water that spreads out perpendicular to the existing house on the south eastern side and the new additions on the north western side. Following the path to the orchid house, a visual axis in the form of a timber slatted spiral staircase defines the separation of garden and living,  with the guest quarters and art studio to the left of the staircase, and the greenhouse to the right. The greenhouse is split into two levels with bigger ferns and tropical plants on ground floor level, and orchids and Tillandsias - more commonly known as air plants - hanging from the roof structure. Circular viewing platforms are at intervals corresponding with the structural grid, providing ample space for exhibiting different plant species, whilst allowing light to penetrate the lower level. The structure is expressed as a combination of solid larch columns flanked by double larch beams on either side, reinforced with detailed steel and brass stiffeners. The facade and roof is a combination of plexiglass and polycarbonate panels, providing varying levels of light penetration.