The main considerations in designing this house were the views (North onto the Glen, with views through the forest and onto Lion’s Head, and South towards the 12 Apostles) and the client’s love of materials, specifically timber, off-shutter concrete and steel.

Our response was to design a roof made from a combination of distressed timber beams (salvaged from an oil-rig pontoon) and high-tensile steel cables, which spans gracefully over the living spaces below. Under the soaring roof is an arrangement of living, dining and mezzanine spaces finished in a rich palette of wood and concrete to create a feeling of warmth with a very contemporary design feel.

The bedroom wing has a strong relationship to the garden via a timber and steel lean-to roof, and the master bedroom flows onto its own private deck and outdoor shower, facing onto a lap pool.