Arklow Villa III: A Restored 120-Year-Old Cottage in Cape Town

Douglas & Firm Architects just lately renovated a 120-year-old Victorian residence in Inexperienced Level, Cape City. The one story cottage takes its title from when it was beforehand a part of a collection of three an identical cottages referred to as Arklow I-III. The brand new construction is predominantly comprised of South African Pine timber, brick, and pure stone, although authentic options have been preserved when doable.

The entrance of the house stays largely the identical as earlier than, however two home windows protruding from the roof add a contact of modernity. The roof harvests rainwater that’s used to function the washer, dishwasher, and loos.

Designed to supply a wholesome combine of personal and public areas, the house is split into two zones. The bottom flooring maintains its authentic, non-public format with the addition a WC and staircase. As a way to convey some gentle into the beforehand darkish house, a courtyard was added to the rear.

The subsequent stage encompasses a bed room, a toilet, and a research that appears over a comfortable residing house. A number of inside furnishings from Douglas & Firm’s furnishings vary is on show in a number of rooms, together with the E.1027 Credenza and McSorley’s Great Saloon bar cart.

All through the house, roof trusses are uncovered to convey a component of nature into the house. Any further trusses have been eliminated and used to create placing inside particulars.

Whereas the entrance façade of the house nonetheless affords a quaintness paying homage to the construction’s previous, the rear affords a very trendy counterpart. Massive sliding doorways open up onto a terrace that overlooks the brand new courtyard under.

Images by David Southwood.