Dear design industry, this is it. The moment has finally arrived, and we are elated to unveil the SHORTLIST for our Residence of the Year category. After rigorous deliberations, where our esteemed jurors meticulously assessed each submission, and a week of intensive tallying, we stand at a pivotal juncture for our industry, about to make history at our inaugural event. This announcement goes beyond mere recognition; it showcases the zenith of architectural excellence and innovation in South Africa. These are the top performing residences across South Africa. So, without further ado, and in no particular order, we proudly stand in partnership Infinity Surfaces and alongside Oggie to present to you The Residence of the Year Shortlist…
Residence of the Year:
Metropolis Design for 14C Peter Cloete Avenue: Located in Constantia and completed in 2022, this home came from a brief to create a sanctuary away from the bustle of professional life. The project produced a comfortable and spacious haven with qualities of intimacy and a relationship to the landscape, placing sustainability and thermal performance in all seasons amongst the top priorities.
Paragon Architects for House O: Completed in mid-2022, House O is structured as a series of pavilions focused on flexible spatial arrangements. To create this habitat, Paragon turned to the archetype of the atrium house, with an internal courtyard wrapped on all sides by the house, creating a peaceful sanctuary at its heart which opens to the sky.
Chris van Niekerk for Mountain House: This home, set on the slopes of the Constantiaberg mountain, is derived from a primordial investigation into shelter and dwelling. Completed in 2022, the design places equal importance on both occupant and environment with simple, unadorned materials, benefitting its owners by addressing everyday requirements and processes of life in a measured way.
Meshworks Architecture + Urbanism for New Highveld House: New Highveld House offers a reverence for cyclical change, an innovative answer to a desire for comfort and permanence, and an appreciation of natural forms and materials. The project prioritises truth to materials, and the design was inspired by an unfolding journey rooted in pre-colonial forms of space-making, challenging traditional domestic typologies of the Highveld.
SAOTA for Upper Albert: The form and massing of this project responds to Cape Town’s need for densification. The project combines the personalities and needs of the clients with a considered response to the urban environment, manifested in a sculptural, contemporary building that weaves itself into the history of the site and its surroundings.
Thomas Leach Architects for Brick House – 17 Peri Road: This compact dwelling with its rectangular structures, raw brick, and varied volumes stands out as a contemporary structure. Completed in 2023, the careful cluster of rectangular cubes allow for the gutters and roofs to be concealed, while the raw brick superstructure is expressed internally on all walls, all designed with a restrained pallet of materials.
Residential Block of the Year:
VDMMA for 29 Queens Road: Located at 29 Queens Road, Sea Point, is a compact block of 16 new micro apartments. The brief called for repurposing the suburban single residential site for apartment living, and consequently, promoting the densification of this vibrant and varied neighbourhood.
Boogertman + Partners for Cape Station: The forecourt of Cape Town Station, a landmark in the Cape Town CBD, has been reimagined by Boogertman + Partners as a vibrant mixed-use space that includes 6 700m2 of modern retail space, accommodation for 3 085 students and a world-class public square. The development was conceptualised to serve students seeking quality affordable accommodation in the city.
Hours Clear Architects for Clarens: Clarens multi-residences responds to the need for authentic and comfortable living in close proximity to the urban amenities and lifestyle offered by Fresnaye, Cape Town. The dynamic building envelope creates a diverse range of living spaces and seamlessly connects interior and exterior experiences, while the terraced courtyard typology maximises natural light throughout the medium-density living spaces.
Residential Interior of the Year:
JVR Architects for Killarney Hills: Killarney Hills dates back to the late 1950s, when the tropical modernism of Brazil deeply influenced cutting-edge Joburg architecture. Rather than doing a period renovation, this design followed the spirit of the original building and not only it’s style albeit with a contemporary edge.
ARRCC for Glen Villa: ARRCC has given new life to a contemporary Cape Town home on a beautiful, treed site at the foot of Table Mountain. ARRCC’s additions fuse seamlessly with the existing architecture, originally designed by architect Antonio Zaninovic, while simultaneously enhancing a powerful connection with the surrounding landscape and magnificent city views.
ATTIK Design for Sunset House: Bathed in natural light, this Llandudno renovation seamlessly merges indoor and outdoor spaces, creating a serene and inviting haven. Each space encourages family interaction, blending functionality with natural elements to create a nurturing retreat that feels like an extension of the landscape.
Clinton Savage Interiors and Architecture for Schrywershoek Cottage: Schrywershoek Cottage, nestled beside the aqua coloured waters of Churchhaven Lagoon, underwent a significant renovation project that enlarged its original small main building into a spacious holiday cottage. Throughout this renovation, preserving the character of the existing structure was paramount, with a deliberate effort to celebrate and integrate its unique features into the new design.
