32 Mitchel St, Hermanus
32 Mitchel St, Hermanus
MODERNIST HOUSE
Client’s Brief
Our client tasked us with updating an existing bed & breakfast to accommodate their personal use while preserving the privacy of tenants. The design challenge was to create a seamless integration of private and guest spaces without compromising the comfort, functionality, or charm of the property.
A key priority was enhancing the sea views from all rooms — a defining feature of the location. To achieve this, spatial layouts were reimagined, and interior sightlines were carefully planned to frame the natural scenery wherever possible.
A central design solution was the use of a spine feature wall, which functions as both a visual focal point and a physical divider. This allowed us to elegantly separate the private areas from the guest spaces while maintaining a sense of openness and flow throughout the property.
The result is a thoughtfully reconfigured B&B that balances personal privacy with guest hospitality, all while celebrating its coastal setting.
HERITAGE RENOVATION
Client’s Brief
Hermanus into their ideal retirement home — a peaceful retreat with a great location, strong connection to nature, and potential for privacy and ocean views.
After an extensive search, we discovered a neglected heritage house nestled within a protected greenbelt. Though the property had been long overlooked, it offered unique character, history, and the opportunity to create something truly special. Initially surprised by its condition, our client saw the potential and agreed to purchase the property.
We undertook a sensitive renovation, carefully preserving the heritage value while reimagining the layout to suit modern living. The result is a beautifully restored four-bedroom home that maximizes sea views and privacy, while remaining deeply respectful of the original architecture and natural surroundings.
This project stands as a thoughtful blend of old and new — a quiet sanctuary with timeless charm and contemporary comfort.
MODERN CONTEMPORARY
Client’s Brief
Our client acquired a compact, sloping site in Voëlklip, Hermanus, offering dramatic mountain views and limited sea views. Their vision was to create a modern, contemporary home that seamlessly blends indoor and outdoor living, while addressing the unique challenges posed by the site.
A primary requirement was that all main living spaces — including the kitchen, living areas, and two principal bedrooms — be located on grade, with direct access to a level garden and pool. Achieving this on a steeply sloped plot required a highly considered and innovative design approach. Through careful planning, we delivered a solution that enables effortless, single-level living with strong indoor-outdoor flow.
The basement level was used to house the utility areas, double garage, and a third, spare bedroom, optimizing the site’s verticality without compromising the client’s desire for privacy and easy access on the main level.
Another key aspect of the brief was to maximize natural light while providing protection from prevailing winds and seasonal rain, common in the Hermanus climate. The final design strategically positions rooms, courtyards, and openings to capture sunlight, shield against harsh weather, and frame key views.
The resulting home is a thoughtful response to both site and climate — a clean, contemporary retreat that harmonizes with its natural surroundings without compromising on comfort, function, or elegance.
MODERN CONTEMPORARY CONSTRUCTION IN PROCESS
Client’s Brief
Our client acquired a narrow double erf in Voëlklip, Hermanus, with the ambition to design a modern five-bedroom home that takes full advantage of its exceptional coastal location. The brief called for a ground and first floor open-plan living arrangement, with the ground floor functioning as an extension of the entertainment zone, incorporating a braai area, pool, and seamless indoor-outdoor flow — all within a contemporary architectural language.
A key request was to maximize sea and beach views by positioning the house to look over the existing neighbouring property, while carefully maintaining privacy and respecting the character of the surrounding area. Equally important was the desire to frame the dramatic mountain backdrop, ensuring that the internal layout offered visual connections to both the ocean and the mountains.
The home needed to be flooded with natural light throughout the day, while also providing shelter from the prevailing coastal winds and seasonal rain. Achieving this balance of openness and protection required a precise and thoughtful design strategy.
This project is a response to both site and setting — a bold, modern residence that celebrates its views, enhances liveability, and reflects the client’s lifestyle and vision.
NEW FARMHOUSE
Client’s Brief
Our client acquired a beautiful, spacious sloping site at the foot of the mountain in Chanteclair, Hermanus. Their vision was to create a Farmhouse-style home that celebrates natural materials and offers open volumes with exposed trusses. The design prioritises panoramic mountain and sea views while ensuring protection from prevailing winds and maximising natural light throughout the home.
The residence includes:
This home reflects a harmonious balance between rustic charm and modern functionality, perfectly suited to its unique setting.
NEW MODERN-CONTEMPORARY HOUSE
Client’s Brief
Our clients secured a beautiful, expansive site in Fernkloof, Hermanus, with a clear vision: to create a modern, contemporary four-bedroom home that responds to the landscape and celebrates natural elements. A mature tree on the property was carefully preserved, becoming a central feature around which the design evolved, strengthening the home’s connection to its environment.
The main residence boasts open-plan living spaces, a generous swimming pool, and a seamless indoor-outdoor flow that enhances the coastal lifestyle. In addition to the primary dwelling, a separate two-bedroom guest house was thoughtfully positioned to ensure privacy, block unwanted views from neighboring properties, and provide comfortable independent accommodation for guests.
This secondary structure complements the main house both functionally and aesthetically. They embrace natural, tactile materials—including a traditional thatch roof, exposed poplar trusses, and hand-laid Klompie clay tiles—offering a timeless character that is deeply rooted in the surrounding landscape.
NEW MODERN-CONTEMPORARY HOLIDAY HOUSE
Client’s Brief
Our client acquired a compact, triangular site in Onrus, Hermanus, with the vision of developing a modern, contemporary lock-up-and-go holiday home. The goal was to maximise the potential of the restricted land area while thoughtfully responding to the site’s unique coastal context.
The design calls for a three-bedroom residence with primary living spaces located on the first floor to take advantage of surrounding views and natural light. Emphasis is placed on a sleek, low-maintenance architectural language that suits a relaxed holiday lifestyle, while addressing the challenges of the site’s limited footprint and irregular geometry. The home embraces both functionality and aesthetic appeal, offering a tranquil retreat within a vibrant seaside setting.
Hemelrand, Hemel en Aarde Valley
Breevlei, Hemel en Aarde Valley
NEW SEA RESCUE BUILDING
Client’s Brief
The design and construction a modern, purpose-built Sea Rescue Station in the Hermanus New Harbour that reflects the NSRI’s mission, identity, and operational needs. The facility serves as a highly functional, visible, and symbolic base of operations, reinforcing NSRI’s commitment to saving lives on South African waters.
SHOPS AND OFFICES
Mitchell Street, Hermanus
RENOVATION
Hermanus Hospice Shop
NEW AND HERITAGE SHOPS AND OFFICES
Cornercade, Longstreet, Hermanus
GECKO BAR AND HARBOUR ROCK RESTAURANT (PHASE 1)
New Harbour
