Project Description: Brief: This modern luxury House is erected for a Senegal entrepreneur and his family and is situated on the cliff overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. This Sow Villa is located in Dakar, Senegal and was completed in 2011, with SAOTA - Stefan Antoni Olmesdahl Truen Architects, as architects and Antoni ASSOCIATION as the Interior decorator. Site: By combining historical elements of the building's site, consisting of two old bunkers from World War Two, the Sow Villa maximizes its commanding position to make not only a dramatic house, but it is quite magical and mysterious.
Some parts of the old bunkers have been preserved and is now an underground cinema that is open to a water courtyard / moat that extends along the boundary and creating a water feature at the gateway to the property. Lead by timber-paneled walkway to the spiral staircase,It connects back to the house. The spiral staircase itself runs from the lower ground to the first floor and to the second level floor.
‘Whilst the cliffside site presented an extraordinary opportunity for a house on the edge of Dakar’s CBD, the slowly eroding nature of the cliff face required a very carefully considered structural solution.’ says Greg Truen, Project Partner, ’resulting in a building design that seemed to float off the cliff’s edge’.
Approach: The ground floor of the house, which is designed to seamlessy facilitate the indoor and outdoor entertaiment, is arranged in the form of L around the swimming pool, pool terrace and garden. Formal sitting room and the dining room is propped above the cliff and is suspended above the Atlantic Ocean to enjoy the panoramic view of the sea and views of the
back of the home. The kitchen consists of an "American" kitchen or an open kitchen and and traditional one, this one is separated, and together with the garage and staff facilities, are located along the east westy axis and along the northern side of the boundary.From the Entrance one moves past the sculptural circular stair to the Entertainment Room and the double volume Family Lounge which connects up with a floating stair to the upper level Pyjama Lounge. The Main and the two children’s bedrooms are placed on this upper level.
‘The huge overhanging roof which projects over the upper level and the outdoor Living level creates a dramatic double volume outdoor space and gives the entire home a sense of unity’ says partner Stefan Antoni.
One of the features of the house is the spiral staircase, clad in stainless steel, while the treads are clad in white granite. To add to the sense of continuity between the levels the 20mm in diameter stainless steel rods run from the first floor handrail to the lower ground floor, thus making the stairwell look like a sculptural steel cylinder. A skylight above the stairwell as well as floor to ceiling glazing in the lounges adds to the sense of transparency.
The Main Bedroom Suite opens up onto a large terrace which is the roof of the more formal living wing of the house and the element which projects over to the ocean. The Main Bathroom opens into a private garden and outdoor shower situated over the garages.
The study / office sits in a separate block and is joined to the main house by a hallway running along the spine of the building. Under the study/office is a separate fully contained guest room, alongside which is a private gym and reflecting pond.
Materials used: The sculptural modernist exterior and shell is counter balanced with the use of warm and textured materials and finishes. Hardwood timber decks contrast with the textured granite internal floors. Natural timber wall panelling contrasts with the beaten and polished stainless steel panels as well as the black Nero Marquina marble and duco / glass kitchen joinery. Rough cut quarried stone finishes contrast with smooth marble surfaces.
The material selection for the house provided the ideal backdrop for ANTONI ASSOCIATES to make their selection of furniture and decor, from a Carolina Sardi wall installation in the kitchen to the AA designed timber installation in the hallway.
“Throughout the villa, modern works of art, many of which are from the client’s private collection, sit comfortably within this luxury residence, creating an intention that is decidedly sleek and contemporary” says Mark Rielly of ANTONI ASSOCIATES. SAOTA (Stefan Antoni Olmesdahl Truen Architects). Antoni Associates,
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