ape Town-based practice Noero Architects does not
design houses that exceed 150 sq m. It’s a self-regulation
that underscores a fundamental studio philosophy.
‘Space is a luxury, a precious resource,’ says studio
director Jo Noero. Intrinsic to his design approach
are unwavering views about the appropriate ways
in which to engage with the South African landscape.
‘In a context as complex as ours, you don’t want
to exclude people,’ he says. ‘You can make a perfectly
good house in a small footprint. It comes down to
quality, not quantity.’
As a result, Noero’s interest was peaked when
his clients presented a modest 200 sq m site on theextremity of a rocky peninsula, an hour’s drive from
central Cape Town. ‘I liked that it was a small site,’
adds Noero. ‘We made it clear to our clients that we
could produce something modest in size that would
satisfy them, despite their lofty ambitions.’
That initial conversation took place the best part of a
decade ago as strict local planning regulations, including
intensive heritage, environmental and architectural
legislation impact studies and fraught negotiations,
resulted in an unusually protracted design process. Yet
the extraordinary delays provided a wealth of time for
the studio to hone every aspect of the project that would
come to be known as Castle Rock Beach House. »THICKENED WALLS WRAP
AROUND THREE SIDES OF
CASTLE ROCK BEACH HOUSE,
BUILT ON A ROCKY PENINSULA
AN HOUR FROM CENTRAL
CAPE TOWN, WHILE THE
FOURTH, GLAZED WALL AND
A MECHANISED GLASS ROOF
OFFER SEA AND SKY VIEWS
C
∑ 183
Architecture