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CONSTRUCTION WORLD
OCTOBER
2015
PROPERTY
Louis Phillips Architects & Associates’ contemporary style is
especially beautifully showcased at Pearl Valley Golf & Country
Estate – recently named the Top Residential Estate in South
Africa 2015 by New World Wealth – with no fewer than 78
homes to date bearing Phillips’ unique architectural stamp. “My approach
is to craft a unique design for each client to fit their individual lifestyle
needs, whether it’s a family with children, a business owner working from
home or people who entertain regularly,” Phillips explains.
This individualised approach combines with Phillips’ ability to inter-
pret from his own experiences and intimate knowledge of Pearl Valley’s
unique setting in the Berg River valley, surrounded by the Simonsberg
mountain. “Having grown up in Paarl, I’m familiar with the local nuances,
such as the location of the sun at certain times of the day, wind factors,
and temperature changes as the seasons progress,” he says, “and we take
cognisance of these factors when we design. It’s also become increasingly
important to consider orientation, which is known to impact energy effi-
ciency, as homeowners have developed a greater awareness of and desire
for energy-efficient solutions.”
Phillips’ open-plan style lends itself perfectly to incorporating
outdoor living, which at Pearl Valley means taking advantage of spec-
tacular views – with the estate boasting some of the Cape winelands’
most scenic panoramas. Whether overlooking a lake, the mountains or
the fairway, the ultimate goal is to draw the outside in, bringing these
stunning views to the fore and showcasing the natural surrounds in which
the home is nestled.
In 2013, Phillips and his partners’ simple yet elegant approach was
rewarded when the firm achieved third place in the Grand Prix interna-
tional architectural competition in the residential category. More than
250 designers worldwide entered the competition, backed by prestigious
Italian brand Casalgrande Padana. Phillips’ achievement is all the more
impressive as Casalgrande Padana entered his design without his
prior knowledge.
Louis Phillips’ architectural journey has spanned over two decades.
After matriculating from Paarl Boys’ High School and completing his Bach-
elor of Architecture at the University of Port Elizabeth (now the Nelson
Mandela Metropolitan University) in 1995, Phillips returned to the Cape
winelands. He steadily built up a reputation in the region, completing
more and more luxury homes.
“Pearl Valley is unique and special for many reasons, which differen-
tiates it from other estates,” says Philips. “Apart from the award-winning
Jack Nicklaus signature golf course, which is the estate’s showpiece,
there are the world-class facilities, the integration of lakes that reflect the
mountains and landscape, and of course the views.”
The large, north-facing plots – with options ranging from 900 m² to
1 300 m² - contribute to a feeling of both space and privacy, while the
“clever building-line system” opens up the vistas between the homes,
eliminating the cluttered feeling so often found on other estates.
Phillips’ design journey with a homeowner will start with spending
time with the client to truly appreciate their lifestyle needs. “It’s essential
to really understand both the client and their vision for their home,” he
explains. The view, orientation and spatial flow are then considered,
before Philips begins “an interactive and dynamic process” that culmi-
nates in a final concept that the client loves.
Energy efficiency
Energy efficiency is incorporated in all of Phillips’ designs, which comply
with the new SANS 10400 XA regulations. Double glazing and solar
systems with battery backups are often installed, and Phillips says there’s
also more focus on lighting design, with the emphasis on energy efficiency
and the use of accent rather than directional lighting.
A strongly emerging trend is the move into warmer finishes and
textures, with the combination of durable materials such as natural
timbers, copper, granite and neutral porcelains with contrasting high-
gloss surfaces. Phillips is finding that many people who are spending
money on building big and expensive homes are choosing high-quality
materials that will last for at least 10 years.
Pearl Valley is, unlike many residential estates, fairly accommodating
in terms of architectural guidelines, in the establishment of which Phillips’
played a guiding role. As a result, “If you want to build something unique
and truly special, you can do that at Pearl Valley,” he says.
UNIQUE
architectural style
>
Louis Phillips is synonymous with Cape
Town’s winelands architecture.
Louis Phillips is synonymous with Cape Town’s winelands
architecture. His internationally recognised and highly sought-after
designs are often the preferred choice for homeowners at some of
South Africa’s most luxurious estates.