ARCHITECT GREG TRUEN TRANSLATES THE OPTIMISM OF THE MID-CENTURY MODERNISTS INTO A CONTEMPORARY AFRICAN CONTEXT
From busy Kloof Nek Road in Cape Town, architect Greg Truen’s house plays a little game with passers-by. The road is one of the city’s and the country’s oldest—it was originally a supply route for soldiers linking Camps Bay and the Atlantic seaboard with the city. The wall outside his house, facing the street, is made from stone, like the remnants of historical walls you find all around Cape Town.
“Whether it’s the wall down Buitengracht Street that separates the Bo-Kaap from the city, or the walls at the castle or around the harbour, they all use exactly this kind of construction,” says Truen. They’re part of the fabric of the city—immediately familiar and at home on the winding road between Table Mountain and Lion’s Head. “Kloof Nek Road is a very strong representation of the urban environment,” explains the architect. “The wall tries to set up a dialogue with the history of architecture in Cape Town.”
Beyond the boundary, however, is a tantalising vision—a glass roof that peeps over the top of the wall with a kind of inverted pyramid floating inside it. “It becomes a light box at night.” This mysterious “hat” on top of the house is part of the building’s response to what the architect calls its “powerful” but complex site. “It’s got a set of almost opposing forces at work,” he muses.
NATURAL PANORAMA
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Denne historien er fra August - September 2019-utgaven av Singapore Tatler Homes.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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ELEMENTS OF MIRÓ
The vivacious, eclectic and emotive work of artist Joan Miró inspired this apartment design by PI Architects
A MEETING OF HAIVES
SuMisura crafts a perfectly personalised family home that incorporates a couple's disparate design preferences harmoniously
ALL THAT GLITTERS
The Poroda House by Makhno Studio blends classic and contemporary influences to reinterpret the golden age of cinema with all the sophistication and none of the pomp of the bygone era
The Art of the Bespoke
At The Residences at W on Sentosa Island, interior design firm Chalked masterfully crafted distinctive interiors for its Flamingo lounge and multiple residential units, including a ground-floor and a penthouse apartment, each showcasing its full potential through innovative design and thoughtful functionality
CURATING NARRATIVES
Step inside the art-filled home of Krystina Lyon and Mark Budden, showcasing a deeply personal collection of contemporary Southeast Asian works and midcentury treasures
A Vibrant Kind of Comfort
Architology Interiors transforms a Singapore apartment into a stunning sanctuary using bold, statement-making furniture from Roche Bobois, resulting in a unique blend of style and comfort
THE SECOND RENAISSANCE
Refreshed by its original interior designer after two decades, this home harmoniously blends art and design into a cosy medley of colour and elegance
Tactile Futures
Delve into how architects are bridging the gap between time-honoured craftsmanship and high-tech design to uncover new possibilities for the built environment
Your Very Own Next-Door Paradise
Discover the allure of Anantara Desaru Coast Residences, where luxury meets the serene beauty of the Malaysian coastline, offering a breathtaking escape for discerning Singaporeans
All in the Family
With over 40 years of experience, Edmund Kok has built a legacy now carried forward by his sons. Together, they helm design firm Trace Design & Build, which excels at crafting luxurious, bespoke landed properties