sanctuary
Luxury private residence, Plettenberg Bay, South Africa
Project Area: 925m2
Project Lead: Tommy Joyce
Status: Completed
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Situated in Plettenberg Bay along South Africa’s Garden Route, Sanctuary is a private residence characterized by a bold sculptural composition of interlocking volumes, pronounced cantilevers and a deliberate contrast between solid and transparent elements.
The architectural form is defined by two distinct upper-level volumes, expressed through substantial white concrete surfaces and finely articulated charcoal vertical cladding. Their contrasting proportions and material treatments establish a strong geometric composition, while the projecting horizontal slab creates a continuous architectural plane that visually unifies the building.
The upper volumes extend beyond the recessed ground-floor façade, introducing depth and shadow while giving the heavier structural forms a sense of suspension. Large expanses of glazing beneath these cantilevers reduce the visual mass at ground level, reinforcing the distinction between the solid upper structure and the transparent living spaces below.
The principal living areas open directly onto a generous covered terrace and landscaped gardens, establishing a continuous relationship between internal and external spaces. Deep overhangs provide passive solar protection, while the arrangement of the building volumes allows for privacy without compromising natural light or openness.
Materiality is deliberately restrained, with finely textured white concrete, charcoal vertical cladding and expansive glazing defining the architectural character. The surrounding landscape provides a softer counterpoint to the building’s precise geometry, allowing the sculptural forms to remain the primary expression of the design.
Sanctuary is an exploration of architectural mass, proportion and structural expression, where carefully composed volumes and refined material detailing establish a distinctive yet understated residential identity.
