Humble Materials Get an Elevated Treatment a ’70s-Inspired Home in Cape Town
For his longtime friends, architect Michael Lumby works magic by investing in craftsmanship over expensive finishing and materials.
For his longtime friends, architect Michael Lumby works magic by investing in craftsmanship over expensive finishing and materials.
Sometimes the key to making something great out of an imperfect situation isn’t optimism, but ingenuity. That was true for Robyn and Clinton "Clint" Campbell, a Cape Town couple who, after living in a studio apartment for five years, were ready to purchase their first property.
Unfortunately, their budget was at odds with their desire to maintain a short commute to the pricey city center, where Clint works as a creative director and Robyn helps lead an advertising agency. They found themselves drawn instead to Vredehoek, a suburb at the edge of town that’s tucked into the foothills of Table Mountain. Its remote location and high winds—known to have sucked windows right out of their frames—factor into the affordability of the area’s compact homes.
The Cape Town house that architect Michael Lumby designed for his friends Robyn and Clint Campbell is clad in simple, inexpensive brick in varying patterns that allow its facade to curve. The facade has a similarly rough finish. "I wanted something that will age and patina with time and be low maintenance," says Lumby.
Photo: Elsa Young
After more than a year of looking, the pair toured a single-story 1940s structure that sat opposite one of Vredehoek’s many parks. Clint brought along his longtime friend Michael Lumby, a Melbourne-and Cape Town–based architect, to get his take. "It was an unremarkable, cheaply put-together worker’s cottage," Lumby says, recalling the disconnected interior. But the price was right.
The home is located in the suburb of Vredehoek, which means "peaceful corner." Ironically, the city’s notorious winds can get particularly fierce there. With that in mind, Lumby designed fixed-glass windows framed in sheet metal. Some feature powder-coated steel panels that open for ventilation.
Photo: Elsa Young
A three-seater Ella sofa and footrest in Vega Anthracit by Sofacompany anchor the living room. The steel coffee table is by Lim and the rug is from Coral & Hive. The shelving and cabinets are custom from Holz Cabinetry. The lamp is from Vamp and the lampshade is from Skinny laMinx. The chairs are from Chair Crazy and the television is from Samsung.
Photo: Elsa Young
See the full story on Dwell.com: Humble Materials Get an Elevated Treatment a ’70s-Inspired Home in Cape Town
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