location: Bantry Bay, Cape Town | architecture: Ben Kotlowitz: Kotlowitz Marais Architects | interior design: Judith Hendry: Niche Interiors | photography: Wieland Gleich
Overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, this existing 214 square metre apartment was renovated by Cape Town-based architects KMA in conjunction with Niche Interiors. The brief was to create a crisply detailed space of minimalist, flowing design.
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- The mirror in the dining area (left) was designed by OKHA and floats above a custom server finished in steel grey lacquer.
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- The Hola dining chairs (below) in charcoal leather, by Hannes Wettstein for Cassina, complete the scheme.
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- The sculptural chartreuse armchair and cocktail table with sliding top trays on a mirrored base are both from Roche Bobois.
Architect Ben Kotlowitz recalls: ‘Our task was to transform a perfectly situated yet extremely outdated three bedroom apartment directly opposite the Bantry Bay seafront. From the outset, it was decided that we would work with a white and neutral tone shell to not interfere with the very evident and dramatic ocean vistas. Conceptually then, the apartment forms a white canvas onto which the brushstrokes of carefully considered spatial proportion and design detail have been overlaid; the latter with selected high design furniture, artworks and objets d’art.’
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- A set of cast concrete plinths display David Reade objets d’art, and on the opposite side a cobalt blue Rosace Column server (page 72) supports a limited collection of Cecil Skotnes prints.
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- The Study
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- The kitchen is an Italian import designed by Andrea Assirelli. It presents as a symphony of high-gloss white surfaces offsetting the mirror finish Smeg appliances. It is minimalist and supremely functional, allowing the owners to indulge in their passion for gourmet cooking. An underslung sink from Blanco, in the same brilliant white as the Caesarstone worktop, ensures seamless views in this open plan solution.
Commissioned by sophisticated art-loving clients, the architects employed these simple yet bold spatial techniques to create a sense of openness and connection to the powerful seascape; this from even the furthest corners of this apartment. Key in this liberation of flow was the opening up and visual linking of the previously hidden kitchen space. This to create a show kitchen as a stylish and pivotal zone for the interior in order to celebrate the art of cooking, fine dining and entertaining.
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- Floors throughout the reception area are clad with Calacatta maximum marble effect porcelain tiles from Studio Masson.
A subtle yet game-changing move by the architects was to replace the existing sliding doors to create a wider opening onto the balconies. This resulted in the unlocking of the flow from interior to exterior and the enhancing of indoor / outdoor living for the owners. Says Ben Kotlowitz: ‘The balcony was effectively converted into a more useful all-weather space with the addition of motorised blinds that enclose it while still allowing views to the seascape.’
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- Fittings in the bathroom are by Flush and are in synergy with the Studio Masson floor.
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- Bedside pendants in the guest bedroom are by FLOS.
Large format white Italian marble effect porcelain tiles were laid throughout the living area. This floor is offset by subtle detailing and profiling in ceilings and bulkheads, which are used to frame spaces further accentuated by carefully planned mood-inducing lighting controlled by a home automation system. Leading from the living / entertainment and more public area a well-lit linear gallery accesses the more private space, housing the main suite with a spacious mirrored dressing area and a white tiled bathroom.
For the full article see Habitat #260 July / August 2017 | Subscribe now
