Gorgeous South African Home Sits Amid the Treetops

This modern home in Cape Town, <a href="http://inhabitat.com/interview-with-south-africas-hemp-expert-tony-budden/" target="_blank">South Africa</a> was designed to celebrate the beauty and importance of South African trees. Designed by <a href="http://www.vdmma.com" target="_blank">Van Der Merwe Miszewski Architects</a>, the luxurious home is encased in glass, bringing the beauty of the surrounding trees into every room of the home. The three-storey family home rises near Table Mountain under a <a href="http://inhabitat.com/minimumhouse-energy-efficient-vacation-home-blends-into-the-forest/" target="_blank">canopy of pine trees</a>.

Located in a lush area next to a valley and stream, the house offers 2,475 square feet of living space. <a href="http://inhabitat.com/glass-front-beach-house-harmonizes-with-indigenous-pohutukawa-trees/" target="_blank">Echoing the trees</a> surrounding the property, Van Der Merwe Miszewski created five tree-like architectural elements that anchor the roof, and provide support throughout the open-floor home.

Floor-to-ceiling <a href="http://inhabitat.com/golden-screened-indra-office-tower-enlivens-barcelonas-poblenou/" target="_blank">glass curtains</a> make up most of the exterior walls, creating a unique interior space that is broken up by elements such as a modern fireplace on the top floor.

Because the glass walls prohibit hanging art work, the clients furnished the upper space with their collection of contemporary sculpture, which can be found throughout the living room.

The floors below hold the bedrooms, which meet the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/copper-louvered-provins-police-station-sits-lightly-on-unesco-world-heritage-site/" target="_blank">glass curtain</a> wall. The architects installed sliding glass doors, enabling guests to open the entire wall to bring in fresh outside air.

The kitchen, although mostly enclosed to support the state of the art appliances and cupboards, is flooded with natural light thanks to a high <a href="http://inhabitat.com/restaurant-extends-diners-into-the-sea/" target="_blank">strip of windows</a> that spans the perimeter of the room.

The treehouse home links itself with the majestic African landscape while creating a <a href="http://inhabitat.com/the-ancient-town-of-monsanto-is-built-inside-around-and-on-top-of-giant-boulders/" target="_blank">dialogue between the architectural elements</a> inside and the trees outside.