beach house, perlemoenbaai

Perlemoenbaai is a small slow-town outside Gansbaai with magnificent views overlooking Walker Bay Reserve along the coastline and Maanschynkop Nature Reserve behind the coastal town of Hermanus.

The site location posed various challenges, such as strong coastal winds and western sun exposure into the view and with a limited budget only essentials were possible.

The client’s brief was to have a small three-bedroom house with a guest bedroom, which she could rent out from time to time. Wheelchair access was also necessary for her elderly parents. 

The site slopes towards the road, creating a lower level for covered parking and a private guest suite. The upper level is built around the ocean view and a protected courtyard. The view is experienced from the courtyard at the rear of the building and living space. Large stack away sliding doors allow the living space to open and close according to the wind direction.

Finishes are minimalistic and robust to accommodate sand, water and pets. Walls are plaster painted except for bathrooms, which have been mosaic tiled to ceiling height. Floors are polished aggregate inside and outside. All joinery cupboards are built from sanded SA Pine rafters and manufactured on site by the contractor’s roofing carpenter.

We believe this beach house is a true reflection of a good simple build, which accommodates all issues from client requirements to practical construction solutions.