When designing a home, knowing the site well is imperative. So, when Daan and Engela were ready to rebuild their family’s house—something that could accommodate more family and their future retirements—it helped that they were already very in tune with the land. “They’ve spent many holidays in the original house over many years, previously with their parents and now with their children and children to follow,” says architect Guillaume Pienaar, director of pinardarchitecture, who took on the project. “They knew exactly what they wanted.” The site, however, was a tricky one, as it had to withstand intense coastal weather and balance privacy with a busy street nearby. Pienaar decided to embrace the challenges, designing the home to adapt to its setting. A series of interconnected indoor and outdoor spaces draw light, views, and sea breezes throughout the home, acting to facilitate a relaxed way of living, while the windows and doors have all been recessed to protect the interiors from har...