House Levin, Saldanha Bay

Abstract

House Levin (1969), Saldanha Bay, Western Cape. For this house Fagan mediates the requirement for open and flexible space with the cellular nature of quieter and more private spaces, all within a controlled container. The central volume extends the Modern Movement typology of the free plan upward, while cellular spaces define its boundary. Fagan often creates a woven wall internally, here through the use of natural timber balustrades that are extended upwards to meet the roof and provide partial privacy between the double volume living space below and the bedrooms above. Fagan manipulates roofs in innovative ways to allow solar gain and views where necessary. That of House Levin breaks centrally to allow light to penetrate the circulation volume.