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Project Name: Two Close Between

Location: Llandudno, Cape Town

Date Completed: 2020

Architect: James Mitchell – Abon Studio

Others involved: D-One Automation

For Abon Studio, the driving forces of this project were problem solving with the privacy aspects, whilst preserving the beachfront views. This dual living home built on site existing between two properties, with the ability to be transformed into a single four-bedroom home with minimal impact to the initial design. The design not only works for the clients requirements of a spacious yet private home with ocean views, but remains respectful of the neighbouring properties and landscape.

The main objective of this three level home was to retain the views of the ocean whilst maximizing privacy between the dual living and also from the surrounding homes, which are situated around all four sides of the site. Abon Studio created spaces that would not interfere with the surrounding homes, which involved a lengthy design development process. The two dwellings have been given individual entrances for privacy between the two, and one wall that separates them. The dwellings can then become one should this be removed, to be enjoyed as a single family residence. The option of this transformation was a primary aspect of the brief.

The suburb is located at the base of a mountain made from Granite rock. Some areas of the beach are surrounded by enormous boulders that position themselves as if they had been strategically placed there, where some of the boulders lean against one another forming natural openings in-between. The large off shutter concrete wall on the East elevation of the home has a primary function of forming a privacy boundary from the neighbouring properties but it is also a representation of the boulders with its size and colour, where the windows reflect those openings in-between. When entering the beach from residence, there is a transition in nature from walking under trees, to walking between the boulders to surrounding yourself with fine white sand. By flowing the external material pallet through the front entrance area, Abon Studio achieves a similar transition. A combination of off-shutter concrete, dark features, granite and wood in the double volume and main kitchen begins this journey, moving to a lighter feel in the ocean facing living space with a combination of light grey, white features, granite and wood.

For Abon Studio, solving the challenges of suiting the clients, providing space and respecting the existing properties became the most rewarding moment of the project. The name Two Close Between came from the successful completion of this. The name is derived from the constraints of the sites and surroundings, along with the functionality of the building.