Kloof 119A / SAOTA


© Adam Letch & Mickey Hoyle

© Adam Letch & Mickey Hoyle
  • Architects: SAOTA
  • Location: Ciudad del Cabo, South Africa
  • Lead Architects: SAOTA
  • Project Team: Greg Truen, Dov Goldring, Jaco Bruwer, Ian Cox and Puja Patel
  • Area: 850.0 m2
  • Project Year: 2017
  • Photographs: Adam Letch & Mickey Hoyle
  • Structural Engineers: Moroff & Kühne Consulting Engineers
  • Quantity Surveyor: SBDS Quantity Surveyors
  • Main Contractor: Gossow & Harding Construction Pty (Ltd)
  • Interior Décor: OKHA
  • Landscaping: Franchesca Watson Garden Designer

© Adam Letch & Mickey Hoyle

© Adam Letch & Mickey Hoyle

Text description provided by the architects. This SAOTA designed family home is positioned below Lion’s Head; with views of Table Mountain, Lion’s Head, Signal Hill, the city of Cape Town and the mountains of the Boland and the winelands in the distance, the architecture is shaped to take in as much of the surrounding as is possible. The strongest gesture is the inverted pyramid roof which creates a clerestory window around the upper level.  It allows the building to open up, capturing views of Table Mountain and Lion’s Head that would otherwise have been lost.  This has also opened up views of the sky bringing the sun and moon into the home, heightening the connection to nature and its cycles.


© Adam Letch & Mickey Hoyle

© Adam Letch & Mickey Hoyle

The house presents a stone wall, built in a traditional Cape way, to the busy city street that it sits on, revealing very little about its interior.At night, the inverted pyramid roof glows creating a giant lightbox adding to the intrigue.


© Adam Letch & Mickey Hoyle

© Adam Letch & Mickey Hoyle

One enters the house through the large metal front door, which sits between the house proper and the stone wall, into a small entrance lobby connected to a courtyard garden. From this restrained quiet space a few steps take you up into the living space with its cinematic bold views over the city.


© Adam Letch & Mickey Hoyle

© Adam Letch & Mickey Hoyle

The house is arranged on three levels. The top level has the strongest views and holds most of the living spaces; the open-plan kitchen, dining room and lounge. The family’s work and bedroom spaces are on the mid-level with the garage, gym, cinema and guest room on the lower level.


Ground floor plan

Ground floor plan

1st floor plan

1st floor plan

2nd floor plan

2nd floor plan

Each level has its own set of gardens and courtyards.  These gardens extend from the mountain surface down against the house, screening the neighbouring buildings and intensifying the relationship with nature; allowing light and air into spaces that would otherwise be dark and isolated.                                                                                  


© Adam Letch & Mickey Hoyle

© Adam Letch & Mickey Hoyle

The dark exterior breaks down the mass of the building pushing it into the background. Internally, colours are muted and the use of a washed oak gives the spaces warmth.


© Adam Letch & Mickey Hoyle

© Adam Letch & Mickey Hoyle

The sophisticated spaces were furnished using OKHA furniture. The Hunt Sofa, the Nate, Nicci Nouveau, Vince and Miles Armchairs are placed on the upper and middle levels and the Planalto Dining Table creates a focal point adjacent to the second floor courtyard, which is used as a working/personal space. OKHA also provided the To Be One and Lean On Me floor lamps in the lounge area.


© Adam Letch & Mickey Hoyle

© Adam Letch & Mickey Hoyle