- Project: Beachyhead Residence
- Location: South Africa, Plettenberg Bay
- Year: 2020
- Area: 900 m2
- Photography: Adam Letch
Overlooking the shimmering shoreline of Robberg Beach, the Beachyhead Residence by SAOTA is a masterful expression of sculptural minimalism and coastal living. Located in the exclusive seaside enclave of Plettenberg Bay, South Africa, this modern home is perched just above the dune line—designed to frame breathtaking ocean views while maintaining a quiet presence in the landscape.
A Box That Embraces the View
What began as a simple architectural box evolved into a refined residence that thoughtfully balances raw materiality with delicate details. The home’s outer shell—finished in rough natural textures—echoes the colors and tones of the dune, contrasting with the smooth soffits and reveals that taper gracefully to frame the expansive horizon.
“We wanted to design a house that blends with the land but offers a focused connection to the sea,” SAOTA explains.
Understated From the Road, Open to the Ocean
From the street, the home presents a modest scale, with the main living areas tucked below. A horizontal canopy, planted with indigenous vegetation, defines the entrance while softening the architecture with natural elements.
As one descends into the home, the layout opens dramatically toward the ocean. A sculptural vertical void slices through the center, separating the home’s southern and northern volumes. This feature serves both a visual and environmental function—flooding the interior with northern light and anchoring the circulation with a suspended staircase lit from above.
Layered Geometry and Light
The staircase geometry extends diagonally outward into a cantilevered entertainment terrace, offering panoramic views of the Robberg Peninsula and Outeniqua Mountains. Below, a rim-flow pool on the lower terrace is raised slightly above the surrounding timber deck, creating the illusion that it floats within the platform—a shimmering reflection of the sea beyond.
The kitchen, centrally positioned, acts as the heart of the home. It connects to both the open-plan living areas and a sheltered northern courtyard, while its volume opens upward to the bedroom gallery, allowing soft, indirect light to permeate the space.
A Home in Harmony with Nature
Beachyhead Residence achieves an elegant balance between architecture and setting. The home is carefully nestled into its sloped site, hovering just above the landscape. The indigenous planting, timber decking, and textural palette of stone and concrete connect the home to its environment with grace and restraint.
Every design move—whether in light, form, or material—reinforces the intention to create a contemporary coastal retreat that feels both expansive and grounded, private yet open, minimal yet expressive.
