Atlantic View

This double level apartment is situated on the seaside of Victoria Road in Clifton, Cape Town. The apartment encompasses the bottom two levels of the block and is perched over dramatic boulders and the Atlantic Ocean. It experiences sweeping views of the Clifton beaches as well as the Twelve Apostles mountain range.

Access is gained to the apartment on the upper level. The dining room, living room and kitchen are open plan and have direct access to the extensive terrace. The challenge of designing this space was the very low existing ceilings. Perimeter bulkheads were introduced to allow for the air-conditioning ducting and also to give the perception of increased height for the raised central ceiling feature which has been clad in limed oak planks.

The timber ceiling feature wraps down the dining room wall. Here a sculptural Black Rain Mirror from OKHA hypnotically distorts and fractures the reflection of the interior. The open plan dining area acts as a pivotal focal point between the spiral staircase and the main entertainment space and is viewed from multiple aspects; as such extra special attention was given to the area. The success of the space is a culmination of bespoke detailing, unexpected stylistic juxtapositions and a dramatic artwork by Mustafa Maluka, the chandelier is a one off design of cut and blown glass; the large scale bespoke dining table is crafted in French oak and the area is anchored by a signature rug that brings in the colours ocean and sky.

Moving through the apartment is a journey of styles and ideas that all fuse together to make the apartment a tailored and personally nuanced space. This tailored look was achieved by avoiding over use of recognizable brand names; the clients instead were keen to create one off signature pieces through the OKHA Design Studio, these elements range from custom designed tie dye cushions to the formal dining table, cinema sofa and coffee tables to the two custom hand blown glass chandeliers.

The kitchen was custom designed by ARRCC. The kitchen counter has been clad in a beaten oxidized stainless steel with a ripple pattern. A rough solid oak plank is fitted as the raised counter. The bar stools are vitra re editions and add to the broad eclectic nature of the décor.

A new feature spiral stair was introduced to link the two levels of the apartment. The glass stair landing of the staircase is a bridge linking the master bedroom suite which comprises of the study, bedroom, dressing room and his and hers en-suite bathrooms. The feature spiral stair constructed and clad in white metal with oak treads and frameless curved glass balustrading unfolds into a lower lobby which leads out onto the entertainment terrace. Feature timber screens extend from the upper level through the upper volume to contain this circulation space. The back wall of the stair foyer has been clad in smokey mirror which reflects a folded metal screen like pieces of kelp.

The pool bar leads onto the swimming pool and spa terrace with uninterrupted views of the seascape. Onyx mirror and oak paneling in a relief pattern add a 3-dimensional layering to the walls. The bar counter has been clad in the same oxidized metal panels that were used in the upper level kitchen. The infinity pool allows the eye to flow from the pool to the expanse of the Atlantic Ocean. A large scale sculpture by South African sculptor Anton Smit is suspended in the lower level water shelf and surveys the dramatic landscape.

Linked to the lower pool terrace is the home theatre which has been styled with sumptuous casual seating which due to the irregular shape of the room was custom designed to provide maximum seating and optimal comfort and viewing. Curved timber paneling cocoons the surrounding walls and provides an alcove for wine storage. Slatted glass sliding screens conceal the gym located within this area.