In Cape Town’s Vredehoek, Ohkre Collective has created a penthouse where light takes the lead – a poetic, pared-back space that celebrates stillness, craft and the quiet power of restraint
High above the slopes of the city bowl, where the wondrous mountain meets the sky, a penthouse sits quietly... Not demanding attention, but rather inviting it. The Vredehoek penthouse, designed by Ohkre Collective for two Danish photographers, is a striking study in restraint — where architecture recedes and light takes centre stage. ‘The brief was to create a clean, calm backdrop where light could move freely,’ says Phillip Nel, co-founder of the design-led studio. ‘Over time, the design became less about adding and more about carefully subtracting, allowing the architecture and light to do the speaking.’
From the outset, it was clear this would not be a home of visual clutter or overstatement. The clients’ deep appreciation for light — in all its nuance — informed every decision, from surface finishes to spatial openness. The result is a home that does not shout, but breathes…
Walls are intentionally left bare, allowing the whimsical dance of shadow and sun to perform uninterrupted. ‘Light was almost a material in its own right,’ Phillip recalls. ‘With photographers as clients, there was an inherent understanding of how light transforms space, which is why we created clear wall planes to give light the freedom to move, fall and create texture. The interplay of light and shadow became the art.’ And this art is best experienced in moments: morning light pouring through fluted glass in the bathroom, or golden hour casting long shadows across pale timber floors.
The palette, intentionally earthy and subdued, consists of timber, natural stone and linen — materials chosen for their honesty, tactility and ability to age with grace. ‘These materials bring warmth and softness without needing embellishment,’ Phillip emphasises. ‘We wanted everything to feel grounded. Elevated, yes — but never over-designed.’
Spatially, the penthouse is a masterclass in flow and proportion. Transitions between rooms are seamless, with sightlines and symmetry designed to reduce visual noise. ‘Flow was foundational,’ says Phillip. ‘Each space leads intuitively to the next, allowing the home to feel both independent and interconnected. It’s what gives the home its rhythm.’ That rhythm is subtle but powerful — a quiet confidence that emerges when every decision is made with care.
While the aesthetic is undeniably minimal, there is soul in the details. Many furnishings were custom-designed or sourced from local artisans, bringing a layer of South African craft into the heart of the home. ‘We collaborated with makers on everything from joinery to ceramics,’ says Phillip. ‘Those pieces added a sense of authenticity and texture that grounded the otherwise minimal palette.’
It’s this commitment to both place and people that elevates the project from sleek to soulful. It forms the heart of Phillip and his co-founder Heinrich van Zyl’s ethos for Ohkre Collective’s design philosophy — from the initial brief to the final fittings.
Of this project, Phillip emphasises collaboration as key. ‘We worked with a trusted network of craftspeople, builders, and fabricators who understood the precision and care this kind of minimalism demands. The synergy across teams made this more than just a design – it became a shared expression.’
Among the many spaces in the penthouse, it’s the bathroom that Phillip returns to with a particular fondness. ‘There’s something incredibly serene about the way light filters through the fluted glass and plays across the stone surfaces,’ he enthuses. ‘It feels like a private retreat – both monastic and indulgent.’ Yet, perhaps what he’s most proud of is not a single space, but the overall restraint of the project. ‘It takes discipline and conviction to hold back — and that’s something we’re proud of throughout.’
Resisting trends and focusing instead on timelessness, the home is built with longevity in mind. There’s no flash or fad, only integrity, stillness and proportion. ‘Timelessness isn’t a style,’ Phillip offers. ‘It’s an attitude, one that values quality over novelty and allows homes to breathe and evolve.’
In the Vredehoek penthouse, intuition meets intention. The city is ever-present through large openings that dissolve the barrier between indoors and out. ‘The surroundings, from city views to mountain shadows, are always present but never forced,’ says Phillip. ‘We left room for stillness, for emptiness even, so that the architecture could breathe.’
It’s a space that reflects both its setting and the deep creative sensitivity of those who live within it. In many ways, this penthouse becomes a portrait of its owners, rendered not in paint or print, but in light, shadow and form. As Phillip explains, ‘It encapsulates our belief in thoughtful, grounded design. It doesn’t rely on opulence or excess, it finds beauty in restraint, in craft, in quiet detail.’
This is contemporary South African living in true form — not loud or ostentatious, but layered, luminous and deeply intentional. A calm canvas for a considered life.
Text by Lynette Botha
