Attention, all burgeoning supervillains: A gorgeous — er, I mean wicked — cliff-side house in a “secret” location in Africa has all the makings of becoming your new favorite evil lair. Privacy? Check. Lots of square footage? Definite check. Uber-private location? Check, check. While this house would tickle any movie baddie pink, the residence was actually constructed to lure musicians to its pristine setting as its architects designed the house to boast a state-of-the-art recording studio. The view isn’t half bad either.
Designed by the London-area Studio Seilern Architects and renowned architect Muzia Sforza, Gota Dam Residence: A House on a Rock (their name, not ours) is an incredible architectural achievement. From its overhanging timber-clad, cantilevered floors which perfectly frame views of the mountainside to its dual transparent enclosures which allow the owner to feel they’re living among the landscape, GDR has it all. Furthermore, those same timber slabs also protect the home’s main living spaces from the harsh African sun.
“The area is, to say the least, breathtaking and awe-inspiring, and deserved a piece of architecture that is equally awe-inspiring,” said the architects to Dezeen. “The cantilevered roofs and stretched terraces give the house the appearance of being gently floating above the rock. The views and the drama of the granite cliff plunging into the dam were the inspiration for the concept.”
Though it was designed to house the creative genius of some lucky musician, one can’t help but imagine what it would be like to live in this luxurious and secluded abode. Fancy a dip? Gota Dam Residence also comes standard with a refreshing pool that features a lot of the same gorgeous views as the house itself. Moreover, the home’s 16,145 square feet of space — which also includes a decked patio, enclosed library and piano room, and an abundance of open-air foyers — assures that anyone can find peace even if they aren’t the only residents.
“All elements are oriented in such a manner as to create physical adjacencies and visual privacy where required,” the architects continued.
It may look like the stuff of dreams, but Africa’s Gota Dam Residence is the beautiful creation of an inspired architect who’s likely watched a few too many Bond flicks.
Outdoor security cameras are not always practical if you live in an apartment or rental. Drilling into an exterior wall may be off-limits, while pointing a regular indoor camera through a window can create another problem once reflections start showing up after dark.
Baseus is trying to solve both issues with the new PrimeSentinel W1, a $69.99 security camera designed specifically to monitor the outdoors through glass. It mounts directly to a window without drilling and uses a 4K Starlight sensor with an F1.0 aperture for full-color monitoring during the day and at night.
This post is brought to you in paid partnership with Best Buy.
Technology evolves every day, transforming how we live and work. Our devices are becoming more than tools we use. They are increasingly capable companions that help streamline day-to-day routines and spark creative ideas. If you have been waiting for the right moment to upgrade your tech setup, the Discover Samsung Shopping Event offers an opportunity to explore what connected, AI-powered living can look like.
With AI progressing so fast, it's only a matter of time before we start getting AI companions like the ones we used to see in movies like R2-D2, Wall-E, or Baymax. Now, Singapore-based OKA Technology has unveiled Mori, a cute little AI companion that looks less like a conventional home robot and more like someone turned the Pokémon Foongus into a table lamp.
Mori isn't meant to clean your house or control your smart home, but to serve as what OKA calls a "Nature Companion." It uses subtle movements, warm lighting, nature-inspired sounds, and small reactions to make its presence around the house feel calming rather than distracting. Mori can sit quietly while you read, sway along to music, welcome you when you enter a room, or encourage you to slow down for a moment without requiring a screen or a conversation.