Restio River House is a project designed by SAOTA. Perched on the banks of the Buffels River, Pringle Bay, South Africa – this house has an easy living permanence that lets in the sun and the natural beauty of the surrounding indigenous vegetation and mountain valley.

The architecture is clean and robust. It has a gravitas to it. The materials are hard wearing and resistant to the tough coastal climate and its winds that periodically sweep the bay.

The planning of this SAOTA-designed family holiday home is nuanced and sophisticated, built to fully grasp the daily rituals of holiday living.

The individual open-plan rooms flow seamlessly, forming one extended living zone and central space. The welcoming kitchen and lounge area is at the centre, with a sofa in the kitchen large enough to seat the entire family. The living rooms have a direct relationship and the flow between these spaces add a unique dynamic to the house. A sense of mystery is created through the various spaces glimpsing each other.
Five years of living on the property before building, presented insights to the complexities of the site. This came with an opportunity to study and carefully consider the relationship of the house to the sun path. The house faces due north with a large stairwell that floods morning light into the kitchen area.

The westerly facades of lounge and terrace look towards Cape Point, the most southerly tip of Cape Town?s False ...