Waterside by SAOTA and ARRCC: Sculptural Beach Sanctuary in Clifton

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Elegant contemporary living room interior with a beige sofa, modern decor and an open shelf filled with decorative items highlighting the luxurious design of the home and stylish architecture

Located in an exclusive nine-story building on Cape Town's famous Clifton coastline, Waterside by SAOTA and ARRCC, with interior works by Karen Stanek from KS Designs, presents a stunning reimagining of three connected apartments as a flowing, sculptural living space. Completed in 2009, this project stands as a masterpiece of modern coastal luxury, harmonizing architecture, art, and nature into a single cohesive whole.

Redefining Layout: A Vertical Architectural Experience

The transformation began with a complete reconfiguration of the layout, connecting three apartments across two levels. The design team at ARRCC focused on spatial clarity and natural flow, starting with the removal of the front panel to create a fully glazed double-height living area opening onto spacious ocean views and an encompassing balcony.

The entry experience is now reimagined from the upper level, where a majestic staircase opens to the living area and ocean horizon — creating a dramatic focal point upon entry. Inspired by natural boulders and coastal topography of Clifton, interiors feature wave-like wall surfaces and curved staircases, reflecting the surrounding environment.

Sculptural Staircase as Central Element

"The staircase design is inspired by the natural curves of surrounding mountain contours," says ARRCC. "It was created to frame the ocean view and guide smoothly through the home."

Subtle backlighting softly outlines the curves of the double-height staircase, flowing into the cinema ceiling, bar details, and throughout the living and bedroom spaces — blurring the boundaries between architectural function and artistic expression.

Interior Palette: Coastal Materials and Natural Tones

Natural finishes evoke the context of a seaside home:

Marble and wooden flooring
Patina copper surfaces
Green marble elements
Wave-textured walls
Smoke mirrors, reflecting the ocean and concealing structural columns

Individual details include:

Handcrafted bar counter, also serving as a serving area
Custom-designed bookshelf, inspired by coastal features
Bronze library with soft hidden lighting and low ceilings for a cozy atmosphere

Each space was meticulously crafted to harmonize with the landscape, while adding tactile luxury.

Art Curation and Custom Furniture

KS Designs led the curation of an extensive collection of client art, integrating works with custom-designed furniture to create an environment that reflects form and function. Contributors include:

OKHA (furniture and lighting)
Louw Roets
Artists represented through local Cape Town galleries

This collection transforms the penthouse into a private gallery, blending minimalist spatial design with layered material textures.

Lifestyle and Leisure Spaces

Main living area: Framed by ceiling curves, opening to an ocean-facing balcony, with hidden lighting and architectural integrity
Cinema room: Enclosed with curved ceilings echoing the design
Dining and entertainment areas: Seamlessly transitioning into each other, based on natural materials and views

On the lower level, the guest bedroom wing and bathroom maintain material continuity with natural stones and beach finishes.

Private Retreat: Master Bedroom and Bathrooms

The master bedroom is positioned to fully embrace the 360-degree view of Clifton's private beach area. Key features include:

Double-sided biofuel fireplace between bedroom and bathroom
Free-standing bathtub with direct ocean view
Silicone bathroom and polished stone accents

The bedroom connects to the main living area through slatted partitions, ensuring both visual flow and privacy.

Conclusion: An Elegant Expression of Coastal Luxury

Waterside by SAOTA and ARRCC demonstrates how architectural excellence, artistic curation, and natural inspiration can transform a space. Through bold architectural decisions, curation of carefully selected interiors, and a harmonious palette, this home in Clifton captures the essence of an elegant beach lifestyle in one of South Africa's most valuable coastal locations.

Photo © Greg Cox and Emma Jackson Waterside by SAOTA and ARRCC: Sculptural Beach Sanctuary in Clifton

Photo © Greg Cox and Emma Jackson Elegant contemporary living room interior with a beige sofa, modern decor and an open shelf filled with decorative items highlighting the luxurious design of the home and stylish architecture

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