A beautiful view of the house from outside.

Architects: Metropole Architects
Design Architect: Nigel Tarboton of Metropole Architects
Project Architect: David Louis of Metropole Architects
Project Technician: Daniel Lewis of Metropole Architects
Interior Design: Olàlà Interiors
Engineer: Davies Lister James Engineers
Contractor: Sygnatur Projects
Kitchen and BICs: Olàlà Interiors
Aluminium screens and pergolas: Alupicket
Timber cladding & decking: Timber Trends
Landscaping Designer: Progreen Designs
Landscaping Contractor: Ecobalance
Photographer: Grant Pitcher

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.

Strict estate design criteria are applied to the architecture.
Strict estate design criteria are applied to the architecture.
The design imposed conventional roof forms in an effort to produce a harmonious picture.
The design imposed conventional roof forms in an effort to produce a harmonious picture.
The home nevertheless reflected the new owners' distinct preferences, objectives, and desire for a modern, dynamic architectural aesthetic.
The home nevertheless reflected the new owners’ distinct preferences, objectives, and desire for a modern, dynamic architectural aesthetic.
Other factors including vistas, orientation, privacy, and the local subtropical environment were taken into account when designing the ultimate product.
Other factors including vistas, orientation, privacy, and the local subtropical environment were taken into account when designing the ultimate product.
The entire length of the rear elevation and beyond the rear corners on either side of the house are covered by a monolithic raw concrete form.
The entire length of the rear elevation and beyond the rear corners on either side of the house is covered by a monolithic raw concrete form.
As you first enter the house, you are greeted by an interior rain feature where water accumulates in a big interior/exterior water feature that serves as the base of a beautiful sculptural stairway.
As you first enter the house, you are greeted by an interior rain feature where water accumulates in a big interior/exterior water feature that serves as the base of a beautiful sculptural stairway.
You are drawn easily to the main living level of the house by the sensual curve of the stairway that spirals up and over the river below.
You are drawn easily to the main living level of the house by the sensual curve of the stairway that spirals up and over the river below.
A closer look reveals that the home's big glass façades are hidden by an exoskeleton made of concrete and aluminum screens that is raised proud of the structure.
A closer look reveals that the home’s big glass façades are hidden by an exoskeleton made of concrete and aluminum screens that are raised proud of the structure.
The family room, formal dining room, formal living room, and library are all accessible from this level.
The family room, formal dining room, formal living room, and library are all accessible from this level.
The living area exudes luxury and elegance, with concrete form that extends to both sides of the interior and beyond the back corners.
The living area exudes luxury and elegance, with a concrete form that extends to both sides of the interior and beyond the back corners.
The dining area is visually appealing with a unique style that complements the decor. The chandelier makes this area even more appealing.
The dining area is visually appealing with a unique style that complements the decor. The chandelier makes this area even more appealing.
As you enter and ascend the house, the kitchen is the first area you notice.
As you enter and ascend the house, the kitchen is the first area you notice.
You can see the wooden flooring throughout the house, and the kitchen has a gray-colored decor and furnishings.
You can see the wooden flooring throughout the house, and the kitchen has a gray-colored decor and furnishings.
The living room, dining room, and stairway leading to the third level are all directly across from the kitchen.
The living room, dining room, and stairway leading to the third level are all directly across from the kitchen.
The floating timber staircase that climbs to the upper level is enclosed by a double-volume art gallery room.
The floating timber staircase that climbs to the upper level is enclosed by a double-volume art gallery room.
Only sporadic horizontal linear glass slits that appear to be randomly placed from the outside but are strategically placed inside break up this severe aspect.
Only sporadic horizontal linear glass slits that appear to be randomly placed from the outside but are strategically placed inside break up this severe aspect.
This master bedroom is beautifully-designed, with diverse hue wood and glass walls that brighten the space as well as distinctive lamps.
This master bedroom is beautifully designed, with a diverse hue of wood and glass walls that brighten the space as well as distinctive lamps.
The wallpaper in this bedroom is vibrant and fits the bedframe and mattress as well.
The wallpaper in this bedroom is vibrant and fits the bed frame and mattress as well.
The T-shaped layout of this level ensures that every accommodation has breathtaking views of the forest and the sea along with more privacy, comfort, and closeness.
The T-shaped layout of this level ensures that every accommodation has breathtaking views of the forest and the sea along with more privacy, comfort, and closeness.
The outdoor entertainment area is a seamless extension of the open-concept living area and is perched perilously beneath the master bedroom's seven-meter cantilever.
The outdoor entertainment area is a seamless extension of the open-concept living area and is perched perilously beneath the master bedroom’s seven-meter cantilever.

Situated in the prestigious Zimbali Coastal Forest resort 45 minutes north of Durban, located on the east coast of South Africa, this three-level structure is home to a young family of four. With the architecture being subject to stringent estate design guidelines, dictating traditional roof forms, the design sought to create a vision that was in harmony with the neighboring properties yet represented the individual taste and aspirations of the new homeowner and desire for a progressive and dynamic architectural aesthetic.

Further considerations such as views, orientation, privacy, and the prevailing sub-tropical climate contributed to the detailing and overall finished product. On approaching the home up the slightly inclined site, the structure looms large overhead as a series of daring cantilevers and flying beams on three levels command one’s attention.

At closer inspection, an exoskeleton comprising of aluminum screens and concrete elements is set proud of the building and veils the large glass façades of the home. This transparent outer skin layers the visual transition experience between inside and out, and is found on the front and two side elevations. The rear elevation has a monolithic raw concrete form that stretches the full extent and continues beyond the rear corners on either side of the home.

This brutal element is interrupted only by intermittent horizontal linear glass slits positioned in what would appear to be random from the outside but are strategic internally. Entering the home on the lower floor you are met with an internal rain feature where the water collects in a large internal/external water feature that forms the base of an elegant sculptural staircase.

The sensual curve of the staircase spiraling up and over the water below draws you up to the principal living level of the home with minimal effort. This level opens up to the kitchen, dining room, formal lounge, study, and family room. The outdoor entertainment area occurs as a seamless extension to the open plan living space and finds itself positioned precariously under the projecting seven-meter cantilever of the master bedroom above.

A double-volume art gallery space encompasses the floating timber staircase that leads to the top level which accommodates 4 en-suite bedrooms. The T-shaped plan configuration of this level ensures that all the rooms have spectacular forest and sea views with increased privacy, comfort, and intimacy. The result is a fitting termination to the experience of exploring this completed project!

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