A photo of the oban estate that views the whole of the house.

Photography: Grant Pitcher Photography
Architect: Metropole Architects
Design Architect: Nigel Tarboton
Project Architects: Tyrone Reardon & David Louis
Project Technologist: Chris Laird
Building Contractor: Verbaan Construction
Engineer: Young & Satharia Consulting Structural and Civil Engineers
Quantity Surveyor: HiRise Consulting
Interiors: Egg Designs
Kitchen and Built-in cupboards: Eurocasa
Landscaping: Arthur Mennigke (Naked Gardener) and/or Natal landscapes (PTY) Ltd
Equestrian incl Arena, bridle path, and paddock fencing: Martin Collins
Koi pond: Koi @ Jungle
Sound + automation: Audio Architex
Security: The Surveillance Factory KZN
Aluminum fins and Screens: Alupicket
Structural Steel, Stables metalwork, steel balustrading, and Corten façade cladding: Sandpiper Fabrication

About Studio

Metropole Architects aims to generate a design that stakes out new territory and explores ideas that are intuitive, inventive, exuberant, and daring. Enthused by visionary architects like John Lautner and Santiago Calatrava, we aspire to create iconic and progressive architectural wonders that capture our collective imagination.

As creatives, we are inspired by the energy of the city as it unceasingly moves, radiates, and evolves like a vast living organism. We strive to use each opportunity presented to us to have a positive effect on the macro and local context. Participating in the collective process of improving the built environment is an honor we value highly.

Driving to a site entails passing through a corten and raw concrete gatehouse and along a curving, tree-lined avenue.
Driving to a site entails passing through a corten and raw concrete gatehouse and along a curving, tree-lined avenue.
This gives the chance to capture rhythmically obstructed glances of the house through regularly placed Plane trees.
This gives the chance to capture rhythmically obstructed glances of the house through regularly placed Plane trees.
From this shaded, leafy tunnel, one passes beneath a low, cantilevered canopy.
From this shaded, leafy tunnel, one passes beneath a low, cantilevered canopy.
Opens onto a large parking lot and announces the entrance to the private home.
Opens onto a large parking lot and announces the entrance to the private home.
This contemporary house adopts a straightforward arrangement of monolithic linear shapes with brutalist overtones that are visible in the structural architecture.
This contemporary house adopts a straightforward arrangement of monolithic linear shapes with brutalist overtones that are visible in the structural architecture.
When you get closer to the house, an organically curved concrete wall winds its way above a small reflection pond, enticing guests to cross a tiny bridge and enter through the front door.
When you get closer to the house, an organically curved concrete wall winds its way above a small reflection pond, enticing guests to cross a tiny bridge and enter through the front door.
A vast area of grassy greenery and tree-filled flora surrounds the residence.
A vast area of grassy greenery and tree-filled flora surrounds the residence.
The house has a view of the expansive, immaculate grass and the gradually sloping pasture.
The house has a view of the expansive, immaculate grass and the gradually sloping pasture.
Yet still being able to settle into a convenient spot amid the already-existing mature trees.
Yet still being able to settle into a convenient spot amid the already-existing mature trees.
The stables, oval-shaped office, private parlor, and bathroom make up the equestrian component of the property that is next to the house.
The stables, oval-shaped office, private parlor, and bathroom make up the equestrian component of the property that is next to the house.
While departing from the modernist architectural vocabulary of the private housing, this lightweight structure's shape reinforces the linear form that originated in the house.
While departing from the modernist architectural vocabulary of private housing, this lightweight structure’s shape reinforces the linear form that originated in the house.
When entering the house, one is immediately struck by how stunning the view of the distant horizon is through a sizable, unhindered opening.
When entering the house, one is immediately struck by how stunning the view of the distant horizon is through a sizable, unhindered opening.
The floating staircase in the "googie" style, the triangulated coffer slab double volume ceiling, and the prominent V-column all serve to foreshadow what is to come.
The floating staircase in the “Googie” style, the triangulated coffer slab double volume ceiling, and the prominent V-column all serve to foreshadow what is to come.
The open-concept kitchen, living room, and dining area opens to a completely furnished.
The open-concept kitchen, living room, and dining area open to completely furnished.
The living room offers everything you might want, including a huge screen television facing the sofa and a wooden square-shaped center table.
The living room offers everything you might want, including a huge screen television facing the sofa and a wooden square-shaped center table.
The carpeted floor complements the gray sofa's hue, which is further complemented by two single chairs, a ceiling fan, and two well-designed lamps. Everything is in order.
The carpeted floor complements the gray sofa’s hue, which is further complemented by two single chairs, a ceiling fan, and two well-designed lamps. Everything is in order.
The dining area, which was divided from the kitchen and living area, has a distinct design, a glass table and white chairs, as well as a chandelier that enhances its beauty.
The dining area, which was divided from the kitchen and living area, has a distinct design, a glass table, and white chairs, as well as a chandelier that enhances its beauty.
The dining room is clearly visible from above, and you can see that it is distinctive because it is carpeted as well.
The dining room is clearly visible from above, and you can see that it is distinctive because it is carpeted as well.
The kitchen has a simple, minimalist design and is adjacent to the living area, where everything is visible.
The kitchen has a simple, minimalist design and is adjacent to the living area, where everything is visible.
The kitchen's gray cabinetry and accents complement those in the living area, and it is fully equipped with everything you need.
The kitchen’s gray cabinetry and accents complement those in the living area, and it is fully equipped with everything you need.
The prominent staircase provides a sculptural backdrop to the double volume area that leads up to the mezzanine landing while also serving as a means of changing floor levels.
The prominent staircase provides a sculptural backdrop to the double-volume area that leads up to the mezzanine landing while also serving as a means of changing floor levels.
Reaching the double volume's upper portion gallery area.
Reaching the double volume’s upper portion gallery area.
A wall of vertical screens and a number of triangular skylights in symmetrical configuration are both filtering light.
A wall of vertical screens and a number of triangular skylights in a symmetrical configuration are both filtering light.
Together, you may conjure up an uplifting, ethereal experience that always invites reflection.
Together, you may conjure up an uplifting, ethereal experience that always invites reflection.
Two twin rooms and a master suite with a separate living room/reading space are located on this floor.
Two twin rooms and a master suite with a separate living room/reading space are located on this floor.
A floor to ceiling glass walkway connecting all the suites can be fully opened to let in cross-ventilating breezes during the steamy summer.
A floor-to-ceiling glass walkway connecting all the suites can be fully opened to let in cross-ventilating breezes during the steamy summer.
The bathroom features an oval-shaped bathtub, an attractive sink, glass doors that divide the shower, wooden cabinetry and interior, and, finally, a beautiful view that is seen through big glass walls but has wooden screen windows that can maintain privacy.
The bathroom features an oval-shaped bathtub, an attractive sink, glass doors that divide the shower, wooden cabinetry and interior, and, finally, a beautiful view that is seen through big glass walls but has wooden screen windows that can maintain privacy.
Showjumping surface available for public use, arena storage, workshops, and open visitor parking for cars and horse trailers.
Showjumping surface available for public use, arena storage, workshops, and open visitor parking for cars and horse trailers.
The outdoor space includes a lengthy koi pond, a swimming pool, and a covered outdoor living and entertainment area.
The outdoor space includes a lengthy koi pond, a swimming pool, and a covered outdoor living and entertainment area.
The pool has a wonderful view in the morning, and the surrounding green spaces provide fresh air.
The pool has a wonderful view in the morning, and the surrounding green spaces provide fresh air.

Summerveld is located within the lush rolling hills of Shongweni, situated half an hour inland from the port city of Durban, South Africa.
This tight-knit horse racing and show jumping community is home to the Oban Estate, a contemporary residence and equestrian facility named after the Scottish seaside town from where the owner’s family originates.

The point of entry to this 4-hectare (430000 ft2) site involves driving through a raw concrete and corten gatehouse and along a curved, tree-lined avenue. This provides an opportunity to catch obscured rhythmic glimpses of the home through evenly spaced Plane trees. Emerging from this leafy tunnel of dappled light, and passing under a low-slung cantilevered canopy that opens up into an expansive parking court, signals the arrival at the private residence.

This modern home with brutalist undertones expressed in the structural design takes on a simple arrangement of monolithic linear forms that project out across the vast manicured lawn and gently sloping paddocks, whilst still managing to position itself comfortably amongst the existing mature trees.

Approaching the home, an organic-shaped concrete wall weaves its way above a shallow reflective pond, enthusiastically inviting visitors over a small bridge and through the front door. On entering the home, the view of the distant horizon vista through an expansive unobstructed 10m (33 ft) opening is simply breathtaking.

Simultaneously, the prominent V-column, the ‘googie’ styled floating staircase, and the triangulated coffer slab double volume ceiling, set the tone for what lies ahead. The open plan kitchen, lounge, and dining room area leads onto a fully equipped, covered outdoor living and entertainment area, swimming pool, and 24m (80 feet) long koi pond.

A guest suite and combination study/lounge/gym area make up the remaining ground floor spaces. Whilst functioning as the means to transition floor levels, the feature staircase offers a sculptural backdrop to the double-volume space that leads up to the mezzanine landing. Arriving at the upper section gallery area of the double volume, there is a notable change in the atmosphere.

The filtered light moving through the wall of vertical screens, as well as a series of 9 symmetrically formed triangular skylights, collectively create an ethereal and uplifting experience, which always tempts a moment of contemplation. This floor level is made up of two twin suites and a master suite that includes a private lounge/reading area.

All the suites are linked by a 28m (92 ft) floor-to-ceiling glazed passage that can be completely opened up to allow for natural cross-ventilating breezes during the humid summer months. The equestrian component adjacent to the home consists of stables, an oval-shaped office, complete with a private lounge and bathroom, a 2400m2 (26000 ft2) open showjumping arena surface, arena storage, workshops, and public parking for visitors’ cars and horse trailers.

Whilst this lightweight building departs from the modernist architectural language of the private residence, the shape of the building reinforces the linear form originating from the home. This steel and sheeted structure houses all the equestrian functions under a single mono-pitch roof, with angular sheeted walls either wrapping downwards, or opening upwards depending on the relative function that occurs within.

In some areas, the wrap-down is dissolved into horizontal louver elements that facilitate the sensible balance of natural light and solar control, particularly in the area of the stables. In addition, the early morning and late afternoon shadow patterns generated by the louvers bring warmth and texture to the robust surface areas.

The design framework for both components of the project was established in the resolution of two fundamental challenges: The first being from a site planning aspect. The residential and equestrian components had to be functionally defined according to their respective private and public usage, whilst at the same time achieving the aesthetic of a single integrated development.

The second is from an architectural aspect. The introduction of a bold modernist structure within a rustic country environment demanded a rigorous design approach. The process pursued an outcome that would present buildings confident in their demeanor, yet respectful of the prominent site that had received them.

Ultimately the aim of this project was driven by a vision to see contemporary architecture, equestrianism, and nature, coalesce into a reality that was inspiring, functional, and unique within the context of its spectacular setting.

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