The starting point for Graham Paarman’s cabin-like tree house in the famously beautiful wine region of Constantia in Cape Town was a particular spot he’d chosen on his family estate – a clearing among the trees overlooking four square reflection ponds. The estate has extensive landscaped gardens, a manor house and a number of dwellings and buildings arranged along the lines of a modern interpretation of a Cape Dutch Werf – or traditional Cape farmyard.

Architects Pieter Malan, Jan-Heyn Vorster and Peter Urry of Cape Town-based firm Malan Vorster Architecture Interior Design had worked on various buildings on the property for quite some time. Together with garden designer Mary Maurel, they had been instrumental in creating the quartet of reflection ponds in what had previously been a field of lavender.

The ponds seemed to bring a certain magic to the clearing and galvanised Graham’s decision to build a cabin there. He called on the three architects to help him realise his idea for a tree house. I always wanted something in the tree canopy,” says Graham. I never wanted a building that was going to impose itself. I didn’t want something symmetrical. I hoped it would blend in and enhance its surroundings, and would invite the outside in.”

Each circle of the floorplan is a different height, capturing the organic, irregular nature of trees growing together.

The differing densities of the cedar slats enveloping the glass facade provide views in some places and privacy in others.

The compact living area appears spacious thanks to the vastness of the view.

On the first level, the living area, a half-round ring accommodates a patio.

The furnishings are almost all Antonio Citterio-designed pieces by Flexform; the dining table is by Moooi.

The living area includes a kitchen and seating area with a fireplace. 

The coffee table and side table in black steel with marble tops are from Roche Bobois; the natural dyed linen fabrics of the sofa’s scatter cushions are by Mark Alexander from Romo.

A solid, cedar-clad drum contains the staircase.

The bedroom is the place Graham finds himself gravitating to most often. The bed and other cabinetry were all custom-made in solid oak with traditional jointing details.

In the bathroom, as in the rest of the house, the choice of copper by Vola was prompted by the high copper content in the Corten steel used throughout the house.

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