What does it mean to live outside beautifully? On Friday 13th June 2025, YARDCOM, Scape, and SAOTA met to host the 75 of the best architecture and design industry figures at the Cape Grace Hotel, a location celebrated for its refined elegance and Monaco-esque views of boats on the bay. The scene was set for an afternoon dedicated to UNFOLD: an invitation to celebrate graceful, exquisite design for outdoor living.
The art of sensation
Cape Town’s most dynamic architects, designers, and landscape professionals from firms such as dhk, Peerutin Karol, Clinton Savage, GSQUARED, and more indulged in an afternoon conversation on the nuances of outdoor spaces, which included an enthusiastic exchange with the leading luxury, global brand YARDCOM.
Chanel Besson, director at Scape Magazine, launched the afternoon with a challenge: ‘Today is a means to approach outdoor design not as the final flourish, but as the opening invitation. And so, everything we experience has been curated in true Scape fashion — to indulge in the art of experiencing the outdoors.’
The journey began at the Cape Grace Hotel’s Bascule Bar, where guests meandered through a sound bath, soaking in the songs of birds and the flutter of falling leaves. As the muscles relaxed and nature’s calming effect stepped in, the guests filled out a quiz to uncover which of three outdoor personalities matched their own. It was a thought experiment inspired by YARDCOM’s illustrious range: rich in colours, textures, and sensations. Once they received their result, a cocktail — matching their unique personality — awaited them at the bar. Sweet & Sour Metal, Fresh Cut Grass, and Smokey Embers made their rounds.
Symphony between man-made and natural
A culinary rendezvous followed, hosted in the Heirloom Restaurant upstairs. Each course arose the senses of the natural world. Joining together for late lunch talks, the architects and designers were guided through thought provocations by leading industry figures, Stefan Antoni, Greg Scott, Dion Walters, Franchesca Watson, and Fabio Pellacini. ‘What makes YARDCOM so special is that they understand it’s not only about buildings or forms, but it’s about that magic, that emotion, about making an experience in that environment,’ said Stefan Antoni, commenting on the exquisite YARDCOM showroom in China. The brand’s managing director Damon Ma mirrored this sentiment saying, ‘Luxury homes today are not just about what’s inside. They are about what happens beyond the walls.
YARDCOM is here to truly ignite those feelings with products that reflect and belong in their environment.’ With a focus on using sustainable materials, the brand balances architectural clarity and comfort with environmental consciousness. The design dialogues were centred around the theme of UNFOLD, with each speaker given a word to prompt their presentation. These words ranged from ‘pause’ to ‘transition’, and even ‘creation’, offering a window into how these five design icons interpret the outdoor realm. ‘For me, working with nature is about observation,’ Franchesca Watson said. ‘Nature isn’t static. It’s about listening to nature and listening to your intuition, listening to how design makes you feel’.
Speaking about intuition, Friday 13th June was far from suspicious — in the middle of Cape Town’s winter, the warm glow over the bay and fresh, blue skies welcomed YARDCOM, SAOTA, and Scape’s debut collaboration. On this unforgettable afternoon, guests were encouraged to engage with each of the five senses; the journey was a reminder that good design isn’t just seen — it’s experienced.
