Says Philip Olmesdahl, project partner: ‘Our client appreciated the visual direction that the structure was taking. Accordingly, he shaped his brief around the design we presented.’

Whilst the site is fairly small at 8 747m², it slopes away dramatically, resulting in a house of five separate floors, which in key instances connect to the adjacent natural ground levels or raised platforms. It is accessed at mid-level, between the second and highest floor, resulting in the structure being only two storeys above Nettleton Road. The interior space measures 1 200m².

This home is defined by the way the principal living spaces on the second level relate to the surrounding portions of the site. This floor accommodates two generous living rooms, an open-plan kitchen and triple volume dining room. Virtually all rooms open onto adjacent terraces or garden areas; this allows the reception and entertainment space to be fully utilised on what is a compact property.

A dramatic, open-tread staircase and lift core with a generous skylight creates a central spine that connects all the floors effectively. On the lowest level a predominantly double volume gallery is formed by the cavernous space below the main living level and the steep natural ground line; even here, there is generous natural light provided via the stairwell and skylights. This floor accommodates a cellar, large wall surfaces for the client’s art collection, pool table, bar and open media room. The next half-level houses the staff quarters and plant room.

May/June 2012 Issue

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