DIGEST

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THE COLONY IS A KIND OF CREATURE IX BY CHRISÉL ATTEWELL AVAILABLE FROM BERMAN CONTEMPORARY Stained wood and glass 40 x 30 x 8 cm – POR ‘I wanted to investigate the burnt body of the forest, to find signs of healing and life. The bark of dead trees looked like the burnt skin of a creature. I peeled away at the skin, picking at the scabs, expecting raw infected flesh, but instead I found patterns. Underneath the bark of the dead trees was bare wood, tattooed throughout.’ – Chrisél Attewell bermancontemporary.com @bermancontemporary

Photograph courtesy of Berman Contemporary

Architecture Designing to follow, not lead p210 Garden Uplifting a community one seed at a time p212 Wine Building a bridge through wine p213 Education Mentoring the next generation p214 Food Sharing food with new friends p215 Finance Mapping your future in property p216 Tech Adapting to an alternate reality p218 Wellness Embracing tech for positive change p220 Fashion Shifting your mindset for good p221 Art Fostering a community in the arts p222

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designing to follow, not lead

With a prediction that the majority of the world’s population will live in urban areas by 2050, it’s imperative that these inner-city zones also hold space for community cohesion. Open City Architects’ director, Bettina Woodward, shares her thoughts

Above Open City Architects’ director, Bettina Woodward

House and Leisure Photography of Rowan House and Block House by Greg Cox / Architect Mariam Kamara’s remarkable Hikma complex (above) and Dandaji Daily Market (right) in Niger; created by architects Adele Naude Santos and Antonio de Souza Santos, Rowan House (above right) is an iconic South African home – originally designed in 1972 and later restored by Open City – it is coincidentally, now home to Bettina Woodward; the Block House is another one of the duo’s notable spaces (bottom left); Japanese architect Toshiko Mori’s cultural centre in Senegal was constructed using exclusively local materials and techniques (left and below right). 211

uplifting a community one seed at a time

On a trip to The Jardim Farm in Noordhoek, contributing sustainability editor, Jackie May, discovers a unique garden that feeds a family and serves a community, all of which is symbolised in its unique stained glass window...

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Above Jardim Barn has been designed as a place for real, in-person connections; previous collaborations have included artists like Andile Dyalvane (above, left), Mpho Vackier, Zizipho Poswa and Candice Lawrence It’s a windy day when I visit the The Jardim Farm, located about two kilometres from Noordhoek beach. From my car, clutching my sun hat, I walk past a striking stained glass window, the only opening to the south eastern side of a renovated barn. This wall faces the Gomes family home, while the other sides of the barn open to south peninsula views, nature’s elements and a large frepit.

Rotem Shachar, one half of MR Design Studio’s creative duo, is responsible for the barn renovation, and explains how the building is an album of family memories executed not in images but in materiality. The interior wood cladding represents Justin Gomes’ upbringing in Cape Town; a lattice-like brick wall evokes images of Angela Gomes’ childhood in Benoni; the round window, designed by artist Andrew Whitehouse and made by stained glass artist, Anika van der Merwe, is a reference to the Notre Dame cathedral and the years Angela and Justin lived in Paris. While the window is a reminder of more carefree days, its design is an interpretation of an aerial photograph of the family’s vegetable garden. In the middle is the harvest table, with fve purple strips symbolising Justin, Angela and their three children, while around the table are the beds of organic vegetables.

Although a private property and home to the family, and a menagerie of animals, the barn is used for public functions and their vegetable garden has become a community hub. Stretching across the front of the property, the vegetable garden is an oasis of verdant, organic vegetables. Planted in 2015, Angela harvested her frst crop in 2016 and since those early days the garden has grown to provide food not only for the family, but also the surrounding community. On Saturdays, families visit to pick vegetables and during the week, Angela ofers workshops and school programmes about food growing and the meaning of organic. She is also integrally involved with food growing in neighbouring community, Masiphumelele. Here she assists Yandiswa Mazwana, founder of the Masi Creative Hub, with seedlings, workshops and networking. There is a quiet global revolution underway and The Jardim Farm is a part of this revolution of growing food, sharing seeds and knowledge about local and organic food systems. In cities across the world, communities are using open spaces – curb sides, pavements, empty plots, their own gardens – to grow food.

I wander around the garden once more and spot a small shed. The previously underutilised space has been transformed into a meditation room flled with indoor plants. This is where Justin wrote his illustrated book, ‘The Cloud that Helped People See’, an allegory about the COVID-19 pandemic and how it has helped people understand the devastation we have caused to the planet. Justin writes about a tribe of faceless people with their machines who ‘took more from the Kingdom than they could ever eat or drink’. After a cloud envelopes the tribe, they were forced to stop and be still and they realised that the small things are the big things.

Before I leave, Angela picks up a halved green pepper to show me the seeds she is saving. These will be planted, shared and then ofered to her family and to her community once more. It truly is the small things that are the big things. @thejardimfarm @jackiemay_sa

Photograph by Rotem Shachar

building a bridge through wine

Lauren Manuel McShane engages with a new narrative surrounding Cape Town’s wine culture, and chats to tenacious entrepreneur, Lindile Ndzaba whose brand, Khayelitsha’s Finest Wines, is paving this connection

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mentoring the next generation

Global brand, Sanpellegrino, believe in the power of growing and nurturing young talent within the culinary industry, which is why they created the S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy – a platform to connect, educate and mentor the next generation. The project spans an18-month period leading up to the global Grand Finale. Paul Prinsloo tells Lynette Botha about his experience

Chef Paul Prinsloo describes himself as a simple guy who likes to keep things uncomplicated. Having grown up in Klerksdorp in the North West, he moved to Cape Town seven years ago and says that it’s the best decision that he’s ever made. It’s in the Western Cape where he really started to pursue his culinary career, having known from the age of 14 that he wanted to become a chef. While Paul has worked at various restaurants since starting out, it was during his time at The Restaurant at Waterkloof that he became interested in the S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy competition.

‘One of the Chef de Parties I worked with was entering this competition I knew nothing about. I was intrigued and went home to research it, and it was there and then that I decided that I would enter the following year,’ he says. ‘I had no idea then that I would actually make it to the Africa and Middle East regional that was held in Dubai.’

As a part of his preparation for the grand fnale of the S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy 2019-21, Paul was mentored by renowned French chef Gregory Czarnecki, who worked at several Michelinstarred restaurants in Paris and has cooked for plenty of superstars before setting down roots in Cape Town.

‘When I frst entered my dish, it was completely my own recipe and idea, but when I got selected to compete again in the Africa and Middle East regional in 2019, he really helped me to refne the dish. He guided me on methods and ingredients as well as helping with plating,’ says Paul. ‘His involvement as a mentor to me played a huge part in getting me to the grand fnale.’

The dish Paul entered was called ‘Bouillabaisse 2.0’ a classic that he reinvented to make modern. ‘This is where Gregory gave me profound input on the favour of the dish. I would practice it once a week for six weeks and he would taste it and give his input each time, teaching me how to tweak it. I’m sure by the end of our practice runs he was a bit tired of eating Bouillabaisse, but it helped a lot,’ Paul laughs.

When asked why he feels that it’s important for projects such as S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy to exist, he answers, ‘Sanpellegrino plays such an important role in the global food industry, supporting and nurturing younger chefs to become the next generation

Above A creative illustration of Chef Paul’s finale dish, Bouillabaisse 2.0

of “greats”. It is an amazing platform and just the exposure received from the Academy itself is spectacular. I’m honoured to have had this opportunity.’

While Paul didn’t take the 2019-2021 title he certainly made his mark on an international stage, and was recently appointed head chef of Gåte Restaurant at Quoin Rock. @paulthinus @spyoungchefacademy @sanpellegrino_ofcial Entries for the 5th edition of the S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy (2022-23) are currently open.

Illustrations by Grace Crooks / LOOKBOOK Studio

Vitra DKR Eames Wire Chair from Nest. Ripple Champagne Saucer from Ferm Living. Bottoms Up Vase in electric blue by HAY. Green glass from Homesense. Tivoli Orient Carafe in pale yellow from Normann Copenhagen. Havana Goblet in amber from Soho. Red bottom glass from Homesense. Knoll Tulip Chair from Nest. Muuto Nerd Chair from Nest. Bit stool from Normann Copenhagen. Round Outdoor Harvest Table from James Mudge.

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sharing food with new friends

Connecting through food is nothing novel, but after two years of uncertainty and isolation, coming together to break bread with strangers in fun and creative environments has been a tonic for so many, says Iga Motylska

Above It’s time to join the table and pull up a chair 215

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Above An orginal sketch of Steyn City’s City Centre before development began

mapping your future in property

More than just a wise move financially, investing in lifestyle-estate living is an investment into your wellbeing. Lynette Botha finds out more...

One of the key reasons that property is an attractive investment is due to it being seen as a stable place to put your money. Investing in the right property ensures attractive returns, but more than fnancial gain, the right realty can truly transform your way of life.

A 2021 study conducted by wealth intelligence frm New World Wealth found that lifestyle estate living is on the rise for many reasons: it provides security and privacy; a safe outdoor lifestyle and sense of community; myriad facilities (gyms, pools, parks, schools) all in one location and limited and controlled trafc.

South Africa is recognised as a global pioneer in estate living and, if you have the means, there’s no shortage of choice in this arena, but there are those that are a cut above the rest – particularly if you’re looking at your property as an investment. Enter: Steyn City.

This Johannesburg landmark since 2015, has since its inception enabled potential buyers to see upfront precisely what they were buying into, as all infrastructure was already in place – a marked departure from usual practice, where purchasers are encouraged to imagine the amenities and accommodation that will form their future home.

Early investors are already reaping rewards, according to Giuseppe Plumari, CEO of Steyn City Properties, as well as investors at the brand-new City Centre, which ushered in a new way of urban living when it launched last year, where similar returns can be expected in the future.

Steyn City is continuously transforming and being developed, which of course has an impact on the value of its properties. Recent updates to facilities include a 300m lagoon and the Ultimate Helistop (allowing residents and nonresidents alike to schedule fights around the city and beyond), adding to its already impressive amenities, which include an 18-hole Nicklausdesign championship golf course with award-winning clubhouse, children’s play nodes, a choice of eateries, resort pools, a 45km foodlit promenade ideal for cycling and running, a 50km MTB track, food-lit tennis courts, fully equipped gym and outdoor workout stations – plus the on-site AAA-grade ofces at Capital Park and the renowned Steyn City School campus. All have contributed towards the development’s ranking as one of the world’s top 10 residential lifestyle estates, according to New World Wealth.

The innovative design of homes, which make a drastic departure from traditional solid, monolithic apartment blocks, is also exciting. The City Centre repositions homes as communities, with each apartment forming part of a smaller cluster where there is signifcant emphasis on green landscapes, in keeping with Steyn City’s philosophy (the development’s famed indigenous parkland was previously a disused quarry until the planting of thousands of shrubs and trees transformed it into a haven for bird and plant species). Equally important is the sense of light that abounds throughout the City Centre – not only in the apartments, where rooms are large enough to accommodate a king size bed with ease, but even in the 2 000-car super basement, where architectural cut-outs turn a typically dark and dingy space into a brightly illuminated, easily navigable one.

While investing in a property here is a smart fnancial move, it’s an even smarter choice for quality of living and peace of mind. 010 597 1170 / steyncity.co.za @steyncity 217

adapting to an alternate reality

Welcome to The Metaverse! Here, ownership and design take on a whole new meaning as this parallel universe becomes a reality, writes Mila Crewe-Brown

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We’re living in a world where virtual real estate has already outpriced many equivalent brick and mortar properties. A world where architects have a future in designing SimCity-like urban spaces rather than physical ones. A world where digital twins can predict future outcomes in the construction and engineering sector and avatars sport the season’s latest digital fashion from Balenciaga. In this new online universe, Snoop Dogg has his own virtual world the Snoopverse, of course

But, we’re still living in this world so to speak, not that one. But wait… what?

Enter: the Metaverse, an umbrella term for a shared 3D virtual space (or spaces). There, instead of reading your House and Leisure as a paper iteration… even a digital iteration, you’ll slip on your VR glasses and walk among the very walls of one of the featured homes or engage with some of the design products featured in 3D. You’ll hang out with your friends (the ones who live in New Zealand) on a beach in Sardinia. Or you’ll gather in one of Meta’s Horizon Workrooms with internationally based colleagues to present a project this last example of a Covid-constrained workforce being one of the drivers behind the Metaverse’s hurtling pace of progression.

The Meta we refer to above is in fact Facebook, who relaunched as a technology company that is ‘helping bring the Metaverse to life’ according to the brand. They’re joined by companies like Epic Games, Microsoft and Roblox and are (allegedly) building ethics and regulation into its fabric from the start, with one of the biggest issues being: who owns assets and content which doesn’t exist tangibly in the real world? That’s where NFTs (non-fungible tokens) come in, attaching a unique identity, value and ownership to each asset.

Brands like Decentraland Architects (whose own blockchain-based open world famously sold a plot of virtual land for $900 000) are using a combination of 3D design and coding with blockchain technology to create ofces, homes, furniture and accessories for this, the internet’s next chapter. It’s design on a whole new level, for a whole new client the player or avatar. For architects and designers, this is the next frontier. ‘Architecture is going to be very important in the Metaverse. It might be digital, but the experiences are visceral and powerful and they’re going to be better if the spaces they happen in are beautifully designed,’ says Greg Truen, director of SAOTA, who have already fully integrated VR technology into their design and presentation process.

Together with architect Alba de la Fuente, Argentinian digital designer Andrés Reisinger created Winter House: a pink-hued, Modernist-inspired hideaway that we’d happily leave the tethered world behind for. When auctioned, ten of Andrés’ furniture pieces collected an impressive $450 000. Our pick of the crop The Hortensia Chair is a voluptuous and highly tactile armchair so covetable that Moooi is mass producing real versions of it, cloaked in 30 000 laser-cut pink polyester petals.

If this digital-frst system gains momentum, then the design industry as we know it will be fipped on its head with demand now preceding supply.

The sustainability implications of this kind of model would completely disrupt the current status quo, as resources would be used only when the demand exists.

Used responsibly, the Metaverse is expanding design horizons, birthing new job titles and generating new income streams. The future is now. @milaproudfoot

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Visual created by Reisinger Studio Above A render by Argentinian artist Andrés Reisinger, known for his futuristic designs that hint at an alternate reality

embracing tech for positive change

Celebrating sisterhood and the power of safe spaces for women to talk, question, learn and feel seen is at the heart of what Khwela Womxn aims to achieve. Binwe Adebayo talks to its founder to learn more

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Illustrations by Robynne-Elaine La Cock

Photography by The Slum Studio

shifting your mindset for good

Lifestyle writer, Nabeela Karim, highlights the clothing crisis impacting third-world cities and how small changes really can make a difference

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