House Marais, Hermanus

Court Yard View

The house concept is complex in that it embraces a number of classic models, namely the courtyard, the glass box, the roof garden and the loft apartment.

The house is sited on a coastal property in the small town of Vermont, adjacent Hermanus on the East coast. It steps in section across a south facing slope with views and entrance on the south side. Garaging and the guest flat, accessed by a cellar passage from the entrance hall is at basement level behind a rusticated cut stone plinth. Hardwood entrance shutters set before frameless glass doors form the portico threshold that welcomes one through into the entrance. From here the main stair rises up to the main landing which faces the pool courtyard.

Aerial Perspective 1

Turning south to the sea views, one is greeted by the glazed open plan living room and kitchen below the flat planted roof. The bedrooms and entertainment veranda hold the courtyard to the North side providing privacy. From here one has views over the pool to the sea horizon - through and over the living room. The west side of the court opens to the sun and holds the pool on a low planted screen wall.

Above the bedrooms the master en-suite sits like an apartment with a screened sun terrace to the West off the bedroom and off the adjacent private lounge a shaded terrace to the South steps up onto the planted roof. Here an external slip stair brings guests up from the courtyard to enjoy the best views.

The floating mono-pitch roof, with deep north overhangs, captures the silhouette of the Overberg mountains and naturally lights the south facing penthouse.

Aerial Perspective 2