THE POLO HOUSE - AWARD WINNER BY BEVERLEY HUI ARCHITECTS

This Iconic Home was crowned with the prestigious award for Best Single Unit Development at a ceremony at the International Property Awards in Dubai 2013.

Located in Val de Vie Estate in the Paarl-Franschhoek region, it was commissioned by Guardian Project Management, in which the Olympic Swimmer Ryk Neethling is a shareholder.

Guardian presented Beverley Hui Architects (ArchitectCapeTown), with the challenge of designing what was originally to be a boutique hotel located on prime property overlooking the Val de Vie Polo field. The site is located at the center of the field with pristine views to Simonsberg Mountain to the East, and overlooking club house and paddocks to the South. The architect made reference to Polo iconography while not being overly stated. The tryptic roof created balance and a sense of poise, with each roof topped by a clock tower element. The glazing echoed the tryptic concept, and the extra-height windows and doors enhance the views from the inside and emphasise the grandeur of the outer facades of the building as they tower over the green Polo Fields. Painted pure white, the building sparkles and contrasts with the smooth greens lawns and violet mountain landscape that surrounding it.

The property competed against a number of residential property developments in the African and Arabian regions. Olympic swimmer Ryk Neethling was the first to own the house and he sold it for a record price of R22 500 per m² at the time. The Polo house was selected for its unique design and location.