House Letschert

Set within the leafy Cape Town district of Higgovale and embedded within it's sloping site, House Letschert is immersed in a plethora of harbour, mountain and city views, climaxing with the Table Mountain cable way as its dramatic backdrop. The brief entailed the creation of a large garden space combined with the preservation of an existing mature oak tree. The intention was to make use of natural materials with a heavy emphasis on stone and timber.

The slate walls step down the slope resonating like echoes of Table Mountain. On plan the walls fuse to create a secure and tranquil perimeter block, encapsulating a large, open garden within, widening as required to house elements of the programme. This concept is repeated at various scales ending with a lush, intimate master bedroom courtyard. With the integration of dense planting within the fa ade and external spaces it is envisaged that the building will become entwined with nature over time.

Completed 2009