on Monday 13 September 2010



The extraordinary Gubbins House in Bridle Road at the base of Table Mountain in Cape Town, South Africa is a project by architect Antonio Zaninovic and landscape & interior design company Rees Roberts + Partners LLC.

Antonio Zaninovic Aldea is a young architect born in 1973 in Santiago Chile. With its great affinity for energy-efficient and landscape-orientated architecture during his education in School of Architecture he focused himself on Bioclimatic architecture and Environment and Climate as design guidelines. He worked as a architect for Steven Harris Architects from 2000 till 2005. He founded his independant firm in 2005 and within his company he offers clients custom-made design which meets specific requirements with strong emphasis on the integration of the landscape and consideration of unique climatic conditions.

Rees Roberts + Partners was formed in 2007 giving the Interiors and landscape divisions formerly of Steven Harris Architects a distinct presence within and beyond the firm.They create interiors  full of art, light and views in close connection with location and the character of the individual. They received Honor award of American Society of Landscape Architects - ASLA for designing landscape of this house.

The landscape of this 1,750 square meters site fully integrates the built structure with its rugged and diverse natural environment. Surrounded by conservation land on three sides, this exceptional site of sits at the base of Table Mountain with sweeping views down to the city and harbor below. Approaching from the top of the road, a blind door gives entrance into a concealed courtyard, ensuring total privacy from the street and an adjacent neighbor and also giving protection from the strong southern winds.

The visual centerpiece of the garden is the natural swimming pool framed by its local balau wood deck. This ecologically balanced, self-cleaning swimming pool combines the natural cleansing properties of plants with sand and gravel filtration and skimming systems, eliminating the need for harmful chemicals. Plantings from the rich native Fynbos weave throughout the garden, drawing on the region's remarkable biodiversity. Dynamic outdoor living spaces add to the unique visual and lived experience of the landscape, which marries high design with innovative systems and ecological soundness. The landscape design continually creates a seamless relationship between the interior living spaces of the house and the garden rooms outside.





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