House Invermark
Forty seven years after receiving a medal for excellence, House Invermark has been awarded a prestigious Commendation from the Cape Institute for Architecture (CIfA), in recognition of noteworthy contributions to architecture.
Designed originally for himself by respected South African architect Gilbert Colyn in 1969, it was inspired by two iconic modernist houses, namely that of Phillip Johnson’s 1949 Glass House and Mies van der Rohe’s 1951 Farnsworth House.
The house was purchased by architect Stefan Antoni, director at SAOTA, in 2013. By this stage, it had reached a poor state of disrepair and featured numerous inappropriate alterations and additions totally out of character with the language of the building.
Had it not been for Antoni’s intervention, it might have faced demolition as its heritage status as being a fine example of contemporary architecture was not recognized.
SAOTA’s careful and sensitive alterations and additions have returned the threatened building back to its original state, enhanced its overall composition and significantly refined the living experience to bring it up to date with contemporary living.
In the living area, kitchen, main bedroom, and bathrooms, structure and screens were removed to facilitate improved flows associated with contemporary living.
Changes were also effected to the exterior spatial configuration involving the relocation of the swimming pool from the darker mountainside to the sunny street sea view side, providing much-needed privacy from the street.
This freed the courtyard to become a family garden planted with lawn and a row of Elderflower (Sambucus Nigra) trees running along a new linear water feature. The street interface was also substantially redesigned.
These changes have served to significantly augment the experience of the house relative to the landscape. It is noteworthy that when Colyn viewed the house after its completion, he was suitably impressed.
Credits:
Project name:
INVERMARK
Project Location:
Cape Town, South Africa
Architects & Interior Architects:
SAOTA and Gilbert Colyn (1969)
Project Architects:
Stefan Antoni and Leah Johnson
Quantity Surveyor:
SBDS
Consulting Engineers:
Moroff & Kühne
Main Contractor:
Mansvelt Construction
Interior Design:
ARRCC and Home Owner
Interior Décor:
OKHA
Artwork:
Tanya Bonello, Marti Kossatz, Michaela Rinaldi and Anton Smit
Landscaping:
Nicholas Whitehorn
Project Photographer:
Adam Letch and Stefan Antoni
For more information:
Kirsty Kirsten, SAOTA Media Manager
W +27 21 468 4400
E [email protected]
OKHA PRODUCTS:
Then there are quite a few OKHA products showcased in the house. Herewith a list:
Harvey Slope Sofa
Jada Sofa
Liaison Coffee Table
Movement Coffee Table
Burbuja Coffee Table
DC Dining Chair
STM Full Arm Swivel
Dejour Standing Lamp
All OKHA products are designed and manufactured by OKHA.
They are handmade and can be customized according to client specifications, making them unique and of the utmost quality. They are available internationally.