Textured plaster intended to mimic nearby rocky outcrops coats the thick walls of Hytte Riverview, a house overlooking an estuary in South Africa by local studio KLG Architects.
The 110-square-metre home is nestled into the rocky, sloping landscape of Rooi Els in the Western Cape, enjoying views of the Rooi Els River flowing into False Bay and the sea beyond.
Responding to this setting, KLG Architects combined thick, rough walls that shelter from the weather with expanses of full-height glazing, "striking a delicate balance between refuge and prospect", the studio said.
KLG Architects has completed house overlooking an estuary in South Africa
"The design's dual nature ? open and outward-facing on one side, solid and sheltered on the other ? ensures that the home provides comfort, serenity, and a deep connection to the distinctive environment," director Jan Douglas told Dezeen. "It offers a sanctuary where residents can feel both protected and connected to the landscape," he added.
The compact, single-storey home is organised based on this "dual nature", with a large living area projecting out northwards towards the sea with full-height sliding glass doors and decked wooden terraces including a swimming pool on either side.
The home's central space is flanked by a pair of bedroom wings
This central space is flanked by a pair of bedroom wings overlooking an enclosed, stone-paved entrance courtyard to the south, which is sheltered by a w...