One approaches this fantastic collage of volumes and materials by descending thirty feet from the local road down to a vehicle forecourt. The house reveals the picturesque golf course beyond in a two storey entrance and living room volume.
A two-storey, six foot thick stone utility wall passes from the front, through the interior and out to the rear landscape. This wall contains fireplaces, an aquarium, an elevator, laundry room, mechanical and electrical service shafts and a bar. This wall anchors a parallel stair while circulation bridges on the second floor penetrate the wall to provide overlooks to below. Family and sleeping spaces enjoy views of the surrounding treeline. Deep overhangs temper this family’s craving for natural light, connecting them to the homes they knew in their native South Africa. A special two-storey bedroom for their daughter contains a cozy lounge and study loft. A mixture of stone, wood siding and stucco provide interior accents. A yoga terrace off of the master en suite frames a view of the sky. The design pinnacle comes in a custom designed tropical aquarium centrally located and seen from all perspectives on the ground floor.