PROJECTS
The Lofts, Cape Town
12 Apartments with Basement
completed 2010
We were thrilled when our clients asked us to design a small, stand alone, 12 unit apartment block on the site bordering the completed Fire & Ice hotel. This site was perfect for exploring “urban infill architecture” as all the surrounding buildings and the streetscape was well established.
Due to the slope of Lions Head, the site has 3 entry levels. The basement is level on Bree Street, the ground floor is level with New Church Street and a mid level accessible to pedestrians only, enters off the pedestrian walkway that separates this building from Protea Fire & Ice. We spend many hours designing 2 staircases that utilises a single stair footprint on plan – almost like an Esher drawing. Building this was a challenge of note as there were certain service rooms only accessible off the second staircase... if you could find the right entrance!
We played with subtle colour variations and texture to reduce the impact of a flat facade to New Church Street. On completion, the client planted a sculptural aloe on the sidewalk. We were delighted with the ability of the design to form a perfect backdrop to the streetscape without drawing undue attention to any design feature.
Tel: 021 448 2406 Email: info@zarch.co.za
Address: Unit 56, Roeland Square, Drury Lane, Gardens, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa