The idea that a structure might nestle cosily into its surroundings while also making a bold visual statement may sound contradictory, but architect Yvette van Zyl’s home proves it is possible. Situated in the coastal town of Mossel Bay, on South Africa’s Garden Route, Yvette’s house – which she shares with her husband Dëon – blends conceptual rigour with an easy-going atmosphere.
The site’s initial attractions included its north-facing aspect and views across the sweep of the bay but, although the couple acquired the plot in early 2019, Covid-19 lockdowns meant construction didn’t begin until the following August. Yvette calls the delay a blessing in disguise, as it gave her the luxury of time to refine her home’s design, which is striking in its simplicity.
‘The building evolved into a simple parallelogram box that perches upon the existing rock band and cantilevers out, with the central outdoor barbecue chimney serving as the main “spindle” for support,’ explains Yvette, who conceived the layout using stereotomic principles (where rooms are carved out of a single structure). The result is a home that is ‘sculptural but ergonomic’.
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When it came to materials, she kept things similarly straightforward: ‘the humble brick was used extensively’. Most of the interior walls are finished in bagged brick for a more textured, imperfect look, while a dark-grey variety is used for the central barbecue chimney.
A white-painted brise-soleil screen, also made of brick, separates the entrance and patio. It’s an object lesson in the creative use of one of the most classic building materials in existence.
The house would be fairly monochromatic were it not for Yvette’s judicious splashes of bright colour. The front door is a brilliant blue, as is an eye-catching section of the exterior that contains one of several porthole-style windows, playfully added to reference the house’s seaside position.
Similarly, the mosaics used in the bathrooms – which have a charmingly retro feel reminiscent of mid-century public baths – are in tones chosen ‘to match the sky, ocean and milkwood trees in the garden’, says Yvette.
Asked about their favourite spaces, Dëon points to the views – he can enjoy the harbour and vistas of the Outeniqua Mountains from the kitchen while cooking, and loves observing the boats going out to sea from his morning coffee spot. Yvette likes ‘to read and birdwatch from bed’.
A sensory experience above all else, this striking yet profoundly comfortable home both cossets and subtly stimulates its occupants. instagram.com/_yvza
