Forces of Nature

Designed to invite the outside in, this pared down space, hugging sand dunes and sea on a wild South African coastline, provides a peaceful weekend retreat

There are not many places in the world where you are guaranteed to see dolphins and whales swimming in the water that flanks your house every day. But the icy, deep waters of Britannia Bay, an unspoiled cove with five kilometres of whitewashed beaches, make this the ideal playground for these charming mammals. It’s this view that Cape Town couple Caroline and Manie Maritz chose to prioritise when building their remote holiday home here.

‘I wanted to be able to see the ocean from wherever I stood in the house,’ says Caroline, a former fashion designer, buyer and trend forecaster, who now teaches yoga.

When they discovered the plot over a decade ago, Caroline’s vision for the house was so immediate she says she sketched the basic design for it on a scrap of paper while driving back to town after putting in the offer. ‘I wanted a u-shaped courtyard house, with a pool in the middle. The West coast is known for wind, so this was a great solution, but I also loved the idea of the home facing onto the pool and being able to watch everything from my kitchen, which is where you’ll usually find me because I love cooking,’ explains Caroline.

What was a practical decision has in fact had a profound impact on the way one experiences the space – the kitchen and living area are edged in water on both sides as a result. The doors on either side open completely, which Caroline says makes it feel you are ‘living on a boat’.

Architect Luke Scott was tasked with interpreting the couple’s vision (they are both drawn to the simplicity of Australian ‘beach house’ architecture), while accommodating the building restrictions for the area, which require white walls, and pitched roofs. Durability and low-maintenance living were also on Caroline’s wish list.

‘The house is built for families on holiday. The kids can literally run in from the beach into the pool. All my bowls are wooden and the floors are concrete screed. When you are relaxing you don’t want a space you need to fuss about or worry that things will get broken,’ says Caroline.

When the bad weather rolls in, she says the house is an equally enchanting space to inhabit, thanks to the steel doors and windows, which seal the house. ‘It faces northwest, so when we get a winter storm the house is directly hit by it. The waves look like they are going to engulf the house; the wind, thunder and lightning is incredible and wild,’ she says.

The house sits on an isolated 630m2 plot, but the entire property is decked (another solution to thwart the wind and sand). A recent addition to the property is a square ‘book nook’ that perches on the beach-fronted deck, providing a sunny sanctuary, and where guests can retreat.

The house itself is designed for friends to holiday together without feeling cramped: the bedrooms are separated into three distinct quarters. On the ground floor, there are two cosy bedrooms and a bathroom. The floor above, where the main living area can be found, is also home to the main bedroom and children’s’ bunk room. Tucked behind this you’ll find a staircase that leads to another two bedrooms. ‘It’s great for weekends away as each family can have their privacy,’ says Caroline.

Other clever touches create both memorable and unique experiences. The warm outside shower is a much-loved feature, and ideal for warming up after surfing or swimming. The fireplace, clad with Table Mountain sandstone bricks from the West Coast, roars on wintery days, and it’s where everyone huddles after rambling walks on the beach. Caroline describes her retreat as ‘heaven’, and declares she literally relaxes as she walks through the door. One can see why.

The home is available for holiday lets through www.thebeachhouse.co