A Sanctuary for Life

This extraordinary hidden masterpiece against the high slopes of Higgovale has won numerous Architectural awards worldwide, including the prestigious Award for Excellence from the SA Institute of Architects in 2016. This creation is brave, self-aware, well balanced and truly humble with the built form not being the centrepiece of attention and attraction - but the power of the site itself. The renowned StudioMas architects and urban designers understood that the building should not be the central focus, but that the potential and the beauty of the site and the magnificent views onto iconic Table Mountain will only be realized through the relationship between the natural and the man-made

The result of the choice has given the sanctuary a near monastic quality. It is a place for personal reflection and renewal in the midst of nature. The building is made of brickwork, left in its original state on the outside, and is also being covered by plant growth. The individual bricks are shaped and chiselled, like a sculptor would shape stone to reveal a vision.

A series of eight sculptural steel doors open into its most important space, enabling the direct relationship between the interior and the extraordinary natural environment. The tall verticality of the doors defies human scale. From the inside these openings frame glimpses of nature and, from outside the glass reflects nature. The mechanisms designed to make these giant doors work seamlessly is a delight and a testimony to the design team's ingenuity.

The reflections in these glass panels are emulated by the reflections on the water in the natural pool created amongst the boulders on the site. The depth and the resulting dark colour of the water evoke the idea of infinity. The small seating bench on the edge of this pool reinforces the meditative qualities for anyone sitting there. The shape of the rocks gives the pool area a room-like interiority in the garden, equal to the memorability and power of the single room of the sanctuary.

The cascading circular outdoor shower next to the bathroom surrounded by lush foliage will transport you into another realm.

Inside the studio space with an underfloor heating system is an open-plan kitchen with a central island and floating shelves against the wall. The space offers a concealed scullery, two shower bathrooms and a laundry/ utility room with a big12kVa 3-Phase SunSynck inverter with 10 kWh of battery capacity.

The architects' statement that, "17 Glen is a sanctuary for life itself', is no empty claim, and will be true for many generations to come.

Subsequently a mirror and cedar wood cube with magnificent City and Bay views for yoga and meditation was built above the deep natural pool carved into the Table Mountain rock below.

A giant waterberry tree creates a natural canopy for shade over the gravel driveway behind the monochromatic steel sliding gate that provides secure parking for two cars. On the outside there is further off-pavement parking for two additional cars and space to add on large double garaging.

Super security with an electric fence, a 16 channel HikVision camera system and HikVision intercom both with with remote access functionality.

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