Antoni recalls: ‘It’s always difficult being your own client and architect. It is so much easier when a client tells you what their preferences and dislikes are.  Of course, it had to be contemporary, clean and simple. My wife and I have the same taste, so that made it easier. We wanted it to be elegant and timeless. I love the tranquility of museum-type spaces – the new Louvre additions by IM Pei and some of Donna Karan’s interiors provided inspiration.
‘The view is incredible at night, especially at full moon when the sea sparkles. When I first saw the site in the late 90’s there was only one other house built in the area, which is right up on the top slopes of Lions Head. There are days when the thick coastal mist rolls in and the only view is of the top of the clouds, exactly as one would experience in an airliner.
‘I built a small bachelors house of 90m² here in 1992. This was then demolished to make way for a double dwelling; we sold off the lower unit and kept the penthouse for ourselves.’

The architect’s prerequisite was that his home should be lock-up-and-go, yet should be a family home that could easily handle entertaining, with large gatherings occasionally. The kitchen / dining space was raised by three stairs to provide views over the living room and terrace; these flow into each other creating a spacious area that feels quite substantial. Each area is defined by either a different floor level and / or feature ceilings.

The upper level has two bedrooms with amazing views, on either side of the living area. There is a third bedroom and large studio on the lower level and a guest suite on the entrance level. Careful spatial planning has resulted in interior areas of 400m² with a further 400m² of terraces.

July/August 2010 Issue

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