CLIFTON MYSTERY, CLIFTON
FWJK Architecture recently unveiled its design for their latest
R130 Million residential ultra-high-end luxury development in the
heart of Clifton, Cape Town. Set along the prestigious Victoria Road,
this bespoke 1,200m 2 development, made up of 8 uniquely designed
apartments, is wedged into the landscape along the Atlantic Seaboard
and becomes one of the last developments of its kind to break
ground along the most sought after stretch of land within the greater
Cape Town area.
The brief was to create a modest yet elegant small-scale
development that epitomises everything about luxury and attention
to detail. Iconically perched above the cliffs of the Atlantic Ocean,
the architectural language becomes a contemporary interpretation
of the surrounding built fabric that is sensitively carved into the
existing mountainside.
The splayed concrete framed façade is made up of recessed
balconies with planted terraces and an additional layer of sliding
timber shutters that not only offers protection from the natural
elements, but also allows the façade to change in appearance as
these shutters are moved though the course of time.
The material palette
made up of natural
stone, concrete and
timber has strong
historical ties to the
area, whilst an extensive
use of floor to ceiling
glass maximises the
spectacular views over
the Atlantic Ocean.
The incorporation of a small coffee shop on ground floor provides
a much-needed active street edge, enhancing the streetscape, and
reinforcing a sense of place.
Each apartment is made up of spacious open plan living areas
that flow onto outdoor terraces, each with their own splash-pool
and overlooking the iridescent coastline.
Developers: FWJK Developments
Architects: FWJK Architecture
Project Managers: FWJK Project Management
Quantity Surveyors: FWJK Quantity Surveyors
Structural Engineers: FB Consulting Engineers
Fire Protection Engineers: Sparq Consulting
203 OXFORD, OXFORD PARKS
203 Oxford is a premium grade commercial development designed
by dhk and the latest addition to the Oxford Parks precinct. Covering
11,000m 2 , the building has four floors with 500m 2 of ground-floor
retail space, as well as a 200-seater atrium. Once complete, the
building will be occupied by Life Healthcare, one of the largest
private hospital operators in South Africa.
The shape and orientation of the site influenced the dynamic form
of the building. A small portion of the site faces busy Oxford Road,
acting as a catalyst and gateway into the precinct. Therefore the
front face needed to be an iconic and attractive design. In response
to this dhk introduced a distinct architectural feature – a geometric
protruding glass box. Moreover, a large recessed terrace wraps
around the top floor with a projecting white roofline podium that
provides shade and frames the building. A large portion of the building
stretches along Eastwood Road. In order to reduce the monolithic
linear form, dhk introduced two contrasting façade treatments. The
first includes vertical scattered punctured openings sheathed in
glass, while the other is clad in aluminium panels and punctured by
horizontal openings. A recess above the vehicular entrance further
fragments the building and brings the architecture to a better balance
human scale.
The contemporary 203 Oxford is set for completion in November
2020. In addition to the building, dhk is also responsible for the urban
design framework for the Oxford Parks precinct, as well as several
other buildings and the basement podium.
www.dhk.co.za
16 Project Watch