Wave Villa | Cape Town, South Africa

Sculptural roof

The project aim was to retain the existing footprint, while remodeling the envelope and the interior to create a flowing, open-plan arrangement and connecting the gardens and terraces to panoramic ocean views.

Functional Layout

The house consists of two main wings: the living and entertainment areas and the sleeping quarters. The top level has the most impressive sea views and includes an open-plan lounge and dining area flowing out onto a terrace through floor-to-ceiling glass doors. The lower level accommodates three guest bedrooms, staff quarters, a gym, a study, a games room, and another lounge that opens seamlessly onto the pool terrace. The main bedroom occupies the upper level of the second wing.

Roof & Staircase Design

A new cast in-situ concrete roof is added over the main living space, supported by a steel frame above a series of high-level windows. From the street, only a glimpse of the sculptural roof is visible beyond the entrance, whose design takes inspiration from the waves of the ocean and the mountains behind the house. Within the interior, the ceiling “pushes up” above clerestory windows to frame views of the surrounding context. These focal points enhance the residence’s connection to its beautiful natural setting as well as draw natural light into the interior. Similarly, the roof of the master bedroom in the adjacent wing has been peeled back and lifted upwards to capture the views. The upstairs living space has been transformed into a light, transparent, pavilion-like structure flooded with natural light and fresh air, that leads to a garden. Finally, perforated sliding metal screens on the façade shelter the interior spaces from direct sunlight, while a winding staircase connects the living, and bedroom wings and creates a sculptural architectural element at the entrance.

Material Palette

A restrained and consistent palette of natural materials has been applied throughout the residence, creating a tactile but neutral backdrop to enhance the colorful views of the landscape. Light oak paneling on ceilings, walls, and floors provides softness and warmth, while exposed concrete elements offer a gritty contrast, and finally, the local Cape granite resonates with the mountainside setting.