CAMPS BAY BEACH
This project has an interesting story as our client only wanted to buy one upper plot for his own home… but had one concern – loss of 180º sea views, if the property in front was developed. He thus also purchased the front property to develop both as an integrated project, while keeping one unit.
A good example of medium-density achieving two, often conflicting goals: allowing more units (five vs two) to enjoy a spectacular location (sea/mountain views, long hours of sunlight, ocean breeze, beach access, sunsets, etc); while preserving everyone's views, with hardly any impact on neighbors.
The design is consciously grounded into the slope, with a low profile. Though rezoning was required for a multi-unit complex only five units were designed where six or more, smaller 'cheek-by-jowl' ones could have been housed. The result is lighter, as units clearly enjoy wider frontages, with gaps for privacy, light & space.
A client as end user, has benefits, as more effort goes into desirable concerns, eg quality of finishes/services; sustainability; wider frontages for maximum fenestration; greater gaps (more in-out flow, privacy, outdoor space & gentler overall impact); bigger units (250 to 375 sqm each).
Pedestrian access for the 2 top units is off Strathmore, via private courtyards on the mountain side... Also, access off a side lane, under a security office - the glass 'front door' below it, opens right into the project’s backbone, an 'internal street' connecting all units, garage & path to the beach.
Vehicular access is also from this side lane. Following recent MLB designs for multi-unit complexes, cars are kept out of sight, on a below-grade level treated like another 'entry point' in architectural terms (finishes, lighting & sea views). It serves 15 bays & 5 stores, plus all vertical links,as glass lifts & stairs to units.
All 5 units have extensive front, side & back open spaces (courtyards, decks & gardens) with individual rim-flow pools & water features, while open-plan living levels are transparent; Generous,12m frontages for the smallest units with wide living-dining plus family rooms. Kitchens all have yards, sculleries & pantries.
Upper levels have 3 bedrooms en-suite with balconies or terraces, for the smallest units. All bathrooms have windows and separate wc's, showers & baths, with mostly glass partitions. Main bedrooms have dressing rooms, while the two top units have 4 bedrooms en-suite each & studies, plus domestic self-contained flatlets.
Following the client brief - most forms, spaces & elements belong to a minimalist type of modernism...while the choice of natural finishes & lighting, bring warmth to the design. Extensive landscaping was also applied with removal of aliens, replaced by indigenous vegetation on external spaces - decks, internal street & roofs.
Xico Meirelles
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