Bespoke Living….
The Estates Magazine, September 2024.
Bespoke living is what Sphere Design & Architecture places at the heart of their practice. The KwaZulu-Natal North Coast provides the perfect canvas for homes which embrace this design philosophy wholeheartedly. Orientation, light, and space are the main bywords for Sphere’s design aesthetic, which this coastal living family home exemplifies. Sphere’s brief was clear; deliver a home that not only takes full advantage of the spectacular Gold Coast views but also allows for maximum year-round indoor-outdoor lifestyle. From the outset, Sphere considerately navigated the strict site controls of the beautiful Gold Coast Estate location, pushing the envelope to maximise space, light, and volume for the home.
Despite fierce height restrictions, Sphere achieved luxurious three-metre-high ceilings with the use of a raked roof and a central spine for services. The raked roof served the double function of supporting both the aesthetic and the off-grid electric solar panel solution.
The Estate’s predominantly East-facing orientation provides superb sea views, but the prevailing southeasterly winds ruled out the possibility of a veranda on the Eastern side of the home. So, in order to keep a year-round link to the exterior, Sphere developed the
‘U’ shaped courtyard at the heart of the home. Thanks to large planes of discreet pocket glazing, the Eastern Sea lounge wing frames the view perfectly, even when closed. One can end the day seated in the raised courtyard plunge pool and still see an ocean liner glide
past on the horizon. Coastal summers may be sweltering, but coastal winters are balmy, making outdoor living spectacular
and integral to a successfully designed ocean-adjacent home. Sphere incorporated high-level clerestory windows in order to capture as much light and volume into the home as possible. A deep north-oriented veranda and well-proportioned overhangs allow the doors to the entertainment area to remain open and welcoming, thus fostering a seamless indoor-outdoor relationship. The south-facing courtyard enhances extensive breeze on hot summer days and easy access to fresh herbs while cooking. The clients’ deep love for entertaining and family inspired an open home that pivots around the kitchen and outdoor cooking areas, interconnected with both elegant and informal lounges and dining areas. This home has multiple hearths and fireplaces ensuring cosiness when needed. The primary outdoor courtyard is itself edged by a formalised fireplace for winter evenings under the stars. The beauty of living in a secure gated estate is that it allows for large unobstructed openings. Doors can be left wide open to maximise natural ventilation. Sphere took full advantage of this, with every room linking to the exterior in some way, with smaller intimate gardens, providing visiting guests with their own space. An external, private shower courtyard off the master bathroom ensures a beautiful way to start each day, overlooking a stunning ocean sunrise. From every room, and into each discrete space, the design emphasis was always on comfort, flow, light, and ease. North Coast coastal living extends throughout this home, accomplishing warm and welcoming spaces.
