- Project: La Lucia
- Architect: SAOTA, ARRCC
- Location: South Africa, La Lucia, Kwazulu Natal
- Year: 2021
- Area: 677 m2
- Photography: Karl Beath
Set among protected milkwood trees on the north coast of KwaZulu-Natal, La Lucia by SAOTA and ARRCC reimagines contemporary beachfront living with a focus on effortless sophistication and natural integration. Located just south of Umhlanga in the seaside suburb of La Lucia, this residence combines architectural simplicity, responsive design, and textural interiors to deliver a refined, modern South African beach house.
Seamless Integration with the Landscape
Nestled into its coastal setting, the home is shaped by its environment—framed ocean views, filtered sunlight, and the natural canopy of milkwoods. The bronzed anodised aluminium sliding screens, which cocoon the building, are not only visually iconic but also mimic the delicate patterns of milkwood branches, offering protection from wind, rain, and sun while forming the home’s signature façade.
“The surrounding beauty of the environment inspired so much of the design,” says Mark Rielly, ARRCC Director. “It’s about crafting spaces that reflect both the location and the people who live in them.”
A Dramatic Yet Understated Entry
A floating timber platform flanked by two milkwood trees guides visitors to the front door. Inside, a double-volume entrance hallway reveals a sweeping ocean panorama framed by aligned timber slatted ceilings that draw the eye forward. The design delays the reveal, creating a moment of pause before unveiling the full impact of the sea-facing views.
Ground Floor: Coastal Flow and Flexibility
The ground level is conceived as a seamlessly connected indoor-outdoor space, integrating:
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Sea-facing terraces and pool decks
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A west-facing garden bathed in afternoon sun
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Flexible sliding screens that modulate privacy and spatial openness
Whether opened as one continuous zone or closed off for intimacy, the layout promotes unobstructed coastal living, encouraging interaction with the environment while offering shelter from it.
Interior Design: Sophisticated Simplicity
The interiors by ARRCC express restraint, texture, and comfort:
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Polished sand-toned concrete floors
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Bleached timber finishes
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Soft leathers and grey linens
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Neutral palettes enriched with charcoal, teal, and azure accents
The indoor and outdoor lounges were designed to function as a single unified space, with adjacent dining tables facilitating entertainment on a generous scale.
“The interiors are not over-designed but rather confidently relaxed,” says Rielly. “Each piece was selected to create an elegant yet understated beach lifestyle.”
Upper Level: Privacy with a View
Upstairs, four sea-facing bedrooms open onto private terraces, blending retreat with immersion in the setting. When closed, the bronzed aluminium screens provide privacy and protection while contributing to the façade’s rhythm and texture. These patterned panels double as functional elements and artful exterior design.
External Materials Echo the Shoreline
Materials for the outdoor spaces reinforce the beachfront connection:
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Weathered Iroko timber on decking and ceiling slats
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Honed sandstone
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Polished light concrete flooring
The pool and entertainment deck are raised slightly to offer uninterrupted views over dune vegetation, creating a natural transition between the built form and ocean horizon.
A Refined Response to Coastal Living
La Lucia by SAOTA and ARRCC offers a luxury beach home experience that is at once deeply connected to nature and precisely controlled in its expression. Through context-sensitive design, innovative environmental protection, and curated textures, the house exemplifies how architectural clarity can elevate a relaxed lifestyle into a harmonious, life-enhancing retreat.
