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Zazen, a 4 bedroom 4 bathroom property
in Cap Estate, blends the healing powers of art and nature all
in an eccentric tree-house design.
The house Zazen (translation "Sitting Meditation")
was designed by Canadian architect Frank Hamilton. Originally
one of the only six homes in the area of Cap Estate St Lucia,
Zazen sits on 1 1/4 acres of sprawling hillside. The wooden
structure was created to blend into the "wilderness"
of what was mostly vegetation at the time. The plot of land is
kite shaped and the house was placed strategically on it, to
line up to the points on the compass.
The house is built entirely of red cedar and greenheart, which
has been stained dark brown. The ground floor is tiled with
red clay tiles to give it a rustic atmosphere; while the
upstairs floors are all wooden
The
main entrance leads straight into the private inner courtyard
with a linear-shaped pool. Around the pool there are numerous
sun beds for spending lazy afternoons; and a swinging hammock
between two palm trees provides an alternative venue for an
afternoon nap. There are four bedrooms. The guest bedroom is
located on a wing over the kitchen and itself is a
self-contained unit away from the rest of the house. The
master bedroom sits over the living area and one section of
this is entirely open, with no walls or windows. This room is
simply furnished, with a large four-poster bed as its focal
point. The bed is at the same level as the railing of the
ocean; and the evening sunsets are framed through the
wide-open space like a huge piece of art. Just off the master
bedroom is the master bathroom, which is cantilevered off the
side of the house. The tub sits in one corner and directly
across from it is the shower – stall.
An open doorway leads off the bedroom three. The room is
painted in soft lavenders and blue and is ideal for a small
child. A little loft above the bed makes for a cozy hide away
and is accessed by a ladder and a rope hanging from the
ceiling. A narrow staircase down to the ground floor leads to
the fourth bedroom. This is decorated in a Japanese theme,
with hand-painted wall paintings representing the four
elements.
Down another corridor and a short flight of stairs is the
large open-plan living and dining area. This living area has a
large built-in sofa against the back wall, which is covered in
green, orange and bright madras fabric, over which hangs a
huge mirror, providing a reflection of the beautiful scenery
outdoors. This room is a wide-open space with a roof but no
windows or doors, so you simply feel like part of what is
outside.
The
patio is an extension of the living area and here there are
clusters of unusual variety of potted plants. The front lawn
slopes downwards and it abounds with color provided by a
variety of flowering tropical shrubs, such as purple and
orange Bougainvillea, crimson Ixora, red Pride of Barbados,
white Frangipani, a bamboo grove and a cluster of very
uncommon black sugar cane, imported from Martinique lend their
own exotic touch.
Despite the size of this house, the numerous vertical angles
protect is from the elements; yet the window passes freely
through, so it is always cool. Zazen is truly an artist’s
house that in itself is truly a work of art.
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