- Project: Glen Villa
- Architect: ARRCC
- Location: South Africa, Cape Town
- Year: 2022
- Area: 300 m2
- Photography: Adam Letch
At the foot of Table Mountain in Cape Town, ARRCC has transformed a contemporary residence into a world-class private retreat that redefines luxury living. Known for their bold yet refined approach to architecture and interiors, the design team revitalized the original house by Antonio Zaninovic, carefully layering new architectural volumes, landscaped terraces, and Afro-minimalist interiors. The result is a seamless blend of urban sophistication and natural tranquility — an “urban resort” designed for modern living.
Architecture: Expanding the Home’s Connection to Nature
Pavilion Redefined
The most striking intervention by ARRCC is the creation of a new garden pavilion, which replaces a modest open structure. Cantilevered from the rocky slope and suspended among mature trees, this glass and stone pavilion blurs the boundary between interior comfort and the rugged mountainside setting.
The pavilion features:
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Lounge and bar areas enclosed in floor-to-ceiling glazing
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Bespoke dining area anchored by a custom table by Martin Doller, integrated with lighting and greenery
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Outdoor cooking zones with pizza oven and BBQ facilities
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Sculptural brass fireplace by Barry Ashmole, inspired by 1920s diving helmets
A walkway links the pavilion back to the main villa, while an intimate boma firepit area recalls ARRCC’s acclaimed design for the Cheetah Plains Game Lodge, reinforcing the project’s identity as an “urban safari resort.”
Penthouse Main Suite
ARRCC converted and expanded an upper-level bedroom into a penthouse-style main suite, redefining how the home engages with Cape Town’s cityscape. The suite includes:
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A pajama lounge clad in cedar strip and bronze
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Marble and travertine bathroom offering serene, spa-like luxury
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A custom bed platform on a marble base, perfectly oriented toward panoramic city views
This private retreat balances intimacy with grandeur, encapsulating the villa’s philosophy of relaxed yet refined living.
Interior Design: Afro-Minimalism Meets Luxury
Working with interior designers Mark Rielly and Nina Sierra Rubia, ARRCC curated interiors that are tactile, layered, and deeply connected to the landscape. Their Afro-minimalist design approach celebrates the raw and the refined in equal measure.
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Natural materials: textured timbers, concrete, stone, leather, and woven textiles create a grounded palette.
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Luxurious details: glossy metals, polished brass, and soft furs introduce moments of glamour.
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Bespoke craftsmanship: local artisans such as OKHA, Martin Doller, and David Reade contributed custom furniture, lighting, and decor pieces.
One of the interior highlights is the wine room, where ebonized oak, a gold-leaf ceiling, and bronze lighting combine to create a shimmering jewel box that contrasts with the villa’s more understated areas.
Landscaping & Outdoor Experience
The villa’s landscaped terraces play a vital role in enhancing the “urban resort” lifestyle. Extensive lawns, sheltered courtyards, and outdoor dining areas extend the living space outward, offering opportunities for entertaining, relaxation, and quiet reflection.
The garden pavilion and fire boma connect seamlessly with the terraced lawn, while carefully placed openings throughout the home frame Table Mountain and Cape Town city views. The architecture, interiors, and landscape work together to immerse the inhabitants in nature without sacrificing privacy or comfort.
A Fusion of Urban and Natural Living
Director Jon Case describes Glen Villa as an “urban resort” — a home that balances cosmopolitan glamour with Cape Town’s raw natural beauty. By layering architectural precision with artisanal craftsmanship and integrating the home into its mountain-side site, ARRCC has created a residence that is both timeless and distinctly African in spirit.
Glen Villa by ARRCC demonstrates how thoughtful design can transform a private residence into a sanctuary of luxury, nature, and modernity. From its suspended pavilion and Afro-minimalist interiors to its penthouse main suite overlooking the city, the home is a celebration of South African architectural excellence. Situated at the base of Table Mountain, Glen Villa represents the future of luxury living in Cape Town — refined, grounded, and unforgettable.
