Real|life Spring 2019 ( Issue 60 )_Pam Golding by The Creative Group

IN THIS ISSUE

On the cover

What’s hot

REAL home

REAL trends

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Thirza Schaap’s confident, part of her photographic series plastic ocean

WHAT’S HOT THIS SEASON Things to see, trends to spot, places to be, and the latest property news

ARCHITECT’S BRIEF Michael Lumby had to be innovative in his design for a new three-bedroom family home in De Waterkant, Cape Town

24 BUILDING TRENDS The latest in urban and suburban design

28 INTERIOR TRENDS Wallpaper and fabrics

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REAL luxury

REAL property

REAL people

Pam Golding property section

36 HOME INVESTMENT Advice on smart investments for the home

PROPERTY INVESTMENT A selection of retirement estates that offer unique selling propositions

PROPERTY FOCUS Setting new standards in sustainability

66 BACK CHAT We chat to Henry Abosi, associate director at dhk Architects, lecturer, writer and founder of BeFront magazine

68 PAM GOLDING PROPERTIES See the latest exclusive properties for sale by Pam Golding Properties

DISCLAIMER The publisher of this magazine gives no warranties, guarantees or assurances and makes no representation regarding any goods or services advertised within this edition. © The Advertising Joint Venture. All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be reproduced in any form without prior written consent from the publisher. The publisher Is not responsible for any unsolicited material.

EDITOR’S LETTER PHOTOGRAPH Retha Ferguson

Welcome to our sprightly spring issue with stories full of heart. The term “sustainable” has permeated society on so many levels that its true meaning is often lost in the noise. Luckily we have artists such as Thirza Schaap, whose plastic ocean series of works (opposite) is a beautiful and striking reminder of the impact plastic has on our oceans. We meet architect Michael Lumby, who designs award-winning homes to look better in 50 years’ time than when they they’re newly built (page 18), and we chat to experts in their respective fields about interior design elements that increase the investment potential of a home (page 36). What does the future of property development look like? On page 24 we get a glimpse of where building practices are heading and learn why new garages are built with increased ceiling height. Our two property-investment features focus on the most exciting local retirement offerings (page 47) and sustainable building practices that are winning our developers international recognition (page 59). Like I said, stories full of heart. Enjoy! Debbie

LEFT Inevitable Journey to Mars I by Simphiwe Ndzube, 2016, acrylic and mixed media on perspex print.

EDITORIAL TEAM Editor Debbie Loots | debbie.loots@thecreativegroup.info Creative director Leah de Jager Deputy and online editor Julia Freemantle Copy editor Kay-Ann van Rooyen Accounts and finances Katrien Bezuidenhout Digital management Augment Creative Media Contributors Kim Maxwell, Miriam Manak

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Love the environment! Please recycle this copy of REAL|life after you have read it

REAL art

Artist Thirza Schaap’s plastic ocean project is a collection of beautiful, evocative sculptures she made using plastic waste found on beaches and photographed. Hoping to elicit an emotional response from the viewer with her contradictory installations, Thirza wants to create awareness and reduce the use of plastic.

flirt plastic-ocean.net Candice Berman Gallery

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REAL art

mercury plastic-ocean.net Candice Berman Gallery

REAL art

beehive plastic-ocean.net Candice Berman Gallery

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E B R AT I N

27 YEARS

OF QUALITY SERVICE

STYLISH SOPHISTICATION. TIMELESS ELEGANCE. We do more than kitchens. At Easylife Kitchens we pride ourselves in designing, manufacturing and installing bespoke living spaces for your home. From bedrooms and bathrooms, to studies and kitchens. Speak to our expert designers at one of our 31 showrooms across the country. 2 year kitchen guarantee. Easylife Kitchens, making life easier since 1992. Proudly featuring Jo-Ann Strauss, Easylife Kitchens Brand Ambassador. 0861 327 9543 | 0861 EASYLIFE | www.easylifekitchens.co.za

WHAT’S HOT this season Things to see, trends to spot and places to be

TEXT Julia Freemantle PHOTOGRAPHS Alix-Rose Cowie, Andrea van der Spuy, Connall Oosterbroek and supplied

1. TOTAL ECLIPSE Pichulik’s new Harvest Moon accessory collection is inspired by the Karoo. This, the 14th volume of the brand’s seasonal collections, is summed up by Katherine Pichulik as representing an adventurous young woman seeking self-expression – an odyssey imbued with symbolism. The Harvest Moon palette is likewise inspired by the arid Karoo landscape – dust and dry grass, burnt, cracked orange earth and dolerite pink set against blue skies. pichulik.com reallifemagazine.co.za

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2. HOME COMFORTS Having made a name for itself for interactive decor, Leon at CCXIX recently moved into a heritage house in Woodstock to launch a new shop, Casa Leon. Here, you’ll find curated room settings over 350 m2 floor space on two floors, encompassing fabric, furniture and objets, as well as a café serving Belgian delights and light meals. leonat219.com

3. LIGHT WORK New to local lighting leader Newport, Nordlux will bring Danish design clout to the brand’s already stellar offering. Combining the newcomer’s global design-forward aesthetic and Newport’s knowledge of the local landscape, the partnership will allow clients access to these quality trend-setting designs locally. newport.co.za

4. IN SEASON Furniture and product design studio Lemon has just opened a new space in Sea Point that showcases the evolution of the brand from print studio to furniture designer and distributor. The designs will be displayed to inspire clients and illustrate how to use the broad range of products. madebylemon.co.za 10

WINTER 2019

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What’s Hot This Season

5 6. FARM FRESH Babylonstoren’s new Fynbos Cottages combine the best of what this renowned destination has on offer, with seclusion and adventure added to the mix. Set further back on the property, behind citrus orchards, each cottage comes with a set of bicycles and a golf cart for exploring the farm. And guests have exclusive access to a beautiful pool and bar. babylonstoren.com

5. HOPE SPRINGS Celebrated South African fashion designer Thebe Magugu says his latest collection, titled Art History, is about “piecing together South Africa’s contrasting cultural landscapes in interesting ways”. It features bold colours and prints, and a mix of fabrics. The designer has always collaborated with other creatives; for this collection, the sisters Abi and Claire Meekel created the custom prints. thebemagugu.com

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7. BUSINESS CLASS The Houghton Hotel has been long in the making, and the result is a world-class hospitality offering that caters to business and lifestyle visitors alike. Some of the impressive amenities it offers are an Amani Spa, FitBar Gym, Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course, and a variety of dining options. thehoughtonhotel.com reallifemagazine.co.za

SPRING 2019

8. MEAT AND GREET Reopening under new owners Hansie and Theresa Britz, Grande Roche in Paarl boasts 18 newly done Terrace Suites as well as a new restaurant. Viande (meaning meat in French), the brainchild of renowned chef Pete Goffe-Wood, will serve contemporary nose-to-tail dining in an elegant space that celebrates the farm’s centuries of heritage in an up-to-date fashion. Also in the pipeline for the property are renovations to the Studio Suites and Stable Suite, and the development of a luxury spa. granderoche.com

9. IN FULL BLOOM Life is a Garden is the marketing division of The South African Nursery Association, a nonprofit organisation that strives to promote gardening as a hobby for all South Africans. Studies have shown the right garden can increase a property’s value by up to 48%, says Life is a Garden, and spring is the perfect time to freshen things up. The first stop is always your garden beds. Plant them according to your own style and preferred colour palette – the beauty of flowers is that no colours clash, so unleash your creativity and use the beds as your canvas. lifeisagarden.co.za

What’s Hot This Season

10 10. OUTDOORS IS IN On 20 October, plant and nature lovers are encouraged to celebrate Garden Day. Don a flower crown, plant a tree, swap cuttings with a friend, or teach your children something about the environment – the idea is to appreciate the beauty of nature. Created by Candide, a gardening app that connects gardeners with fellow plant lovers, public gardens and nurseries, the concept is aimed at enjoyment and promoting unity among South Africans. gardenday.co.za reallifemagazine.co.za

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11. IN GOOD TASTE John Vogel’s refined African aesthetic has made him much loved on the furniture scene – his combination of contemporary lines and skilled craftsmanship bridges the divide between modern and traditional. For 100% Design South Africa, he imagined a modern dining space that speaks to a social way of spending time together. vogeldesign.co.za

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12. SLEEP EASY The triple talent behind the design collective Apartment 2B created an engaging bedroom space for 100% Design South Africa, held in August. The trio – Thabisa Mjo of Mash.T Design Studio, Monique Vee, and Mpho Vackier of TheUrbanative – combined their creative strengths for a stylish space that offered sensory inspiration and much-needed respite. @mashtdesignstudio, moniquevee.com, theurbanative.com

13. STREET STYLE Artist r1. brought his graphic style and dynamic aesthetic to 100% Design South Africa in August as the show’s first Feature Artist. As part of his creative activation, he designed the show’s identity as well as a collaborative carpet project with show curator and creative director Cathy O’Clery and leading local designers. r1r1r1.net 14

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RECEIVE A FREE UCOOK SUBSCRIPTION We’ve partnered with South Africa’s premier online dinner kit service, ucook.co.za, who deliver expertly designed recipes, seasonally fresh produce and flexible meal plans to your doorstep. Purchase any GRUNDIG product from one of our authorised retailers and you’ll receive a UCOOK subscription valued at R1190. Visit grundig.com for more details on where to find us and prepare to take your culinary dreams to gourmet level.

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What’s Hot This Season

15. PICTURE OF HEALTH Mediclinic Stellenbosch started operating from a world-class new hospital in Brandwacht, Stellenbosch, in June. The 16 000 m2 facility was purposebuilt for the private hospital group by property developer Atterbury and partners. The eco-friendly building features grey-water systems and water harvesting. The hospital has more than 100 beds, a 24-hour emergency centre and five theatres. mediclinic.co.za 16

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14. MORE THAN A WORKSPACE Workshop17 has opened a new co-working space at The Harrington in Cape Town’s East City Precinct. The redeveloped multi-tenanted retail and commercial building is set among streetside eateries and galleries in a thriving inner-city area. The Harrington features ground-floor retailers such as Bootlegger Coffee Company and East City Cycles, as well as five floors of offices. It offers change rooms, showers and bicycle storage, and there is a MyCiTi bus stop nearby. The collaborative workspace comprises 30 customisable private offices, hot-desking, dedicated workspaces, meeting areas and boardrooms, as well as a Bootlegger coffee corner, a kitchen, a lounge and breakaway spaces. workshop17.co.za/theharrington.com

16. HIGHEST BID A prime commercial property in Midrand recently fetched R29.5 million on BidX1 SA’s online property auction. A local owneroccupier who runs a professional consultancy business bought it. Located in a secure estate in Waterfall, the property includes a corporate office and a warehouse with a gross lettable area of 4.464 m2 and development potential for a further 1.973 m2. bidx1.com/en/south-africa reallifemagazine.co.za

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REAL home

Architect Michael Lumby’s innovative approach to space and affinity for simplicity are manifest in a striking house in De Waterkant, Cape Town

Designing a contemporary house in a suburb known for its historical architecture comes with a unique set of challenges. Michael Lumby’s “three-in-one” house in De Waterkant achieved remarkable integration into the heritage area courtesy of his innovative use of space and a sensitive approach to the setting. Lumby is inspired by international architects such as Portuguese icons Álvaro Siza and Eduardo Souto de Moura, and his work acknowledges their modernist leanings and affinity for humble bold materials – like concrete and brick. Their influence can be seen in his signature style of solid structures, which pay homage to form and surface, and choose subtlety over ostentation.

box

OUT OF THE

TEXT Julia Freemantle PHOTOGRAPHS Ben Johnson

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Lumby’s ability to balance the practical and poetic sets him apart, too. It is evident in the De Waterkant house, where a less-is-more approach gives the project a purity that allows it to stand out from the street while at the same time not drawing attention to itself. The design brief was straightforward: a threebedroom family home, with a ground-level courtyard. This feature became the linchpin around which everything else was designed. “As the site was so small, we decided to internalise the courtyard to create a garden atrium. This became the heart of the house,” Lumby says.

Architect Michael Lumbyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s celebration of humble materials used in innovative ways gives this DeÂ Waterkant home a tactile simplicity where the focus is on the texture and the spaces rather than superfluous detailing.

emoh LAER

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REAL home Built from scratch, the house emerged from a 90 m2 greenfield site among semi-detached row houses so typical of the area. These date from the 17th century, and together form a street scape of a continuous wall of buildings, with the stepped parapet roofs and facade colours creating variation. “As the site had an unusually long street frontage for the context, we decided to visually split the building mass into three separate volumes, varying and stepping the roof lines of each,” says Lumby. “One house becomes three – an abstraction of the suburb’s characteristic vernacular. “The goal was to create something contextual without mimicking the historical fabric through decoration or pastiche,” says Lumby. “By breaking down the form of the building into three parts, each with different heights, openings and quirks, the massing of the building resembles that of the older structures with their narrow street frontages.” In addition to its contextual cleverness, the house also treats space smartly, making the most of the compact footprint, but also not in an obvious way. “I suppose what makes this project unusual is that it sacrifices floor area for volume. And while this might seem insane considering the limitations of a 90 m2 plot, this feature, combined with the split-level arrangement of the spaces, affords the house a spatial luxury not often found in small projects. A vertically sinuous experience.” Lumby’s peers thought so, too, and the house was acknowledged with a SAIA Award of Merit. When asked why he thought it was so well received, he points to how it addresses urban spatial planning with innovation, and the fact that it comes without pretence. “It conforms to its historical context without unconvincingly reproducing the styles of the past.” Reflecting on the project, Lumby is satisfied with the result. “It is gratifying that the initial concept remained untainted and now stands there in built form, and it works.”

OPPOSITE, TOP The architect opted for a sense of spatial luxury over floor area. OPPOSITE, BOTTOM Streamlined forms and a Scandi-inspired palette give the house its tailored aesthetic.

STRONG FOUNDATIONS We talk all things architecture with Michael Lumby

TEXT Julia Freemantle PHOTOGRAPHS Superbalist/Karl Rogers and Bureaux

REAL home

HOW DID YOU GET INTO ARCHITECTURE? Initially, I wanted to get into car design, so I started out studying mechanical engineering. Finding that a bit abstract, I switched to structural engineering along the way and, upon completion, diversified into architecture for its creative quotient. DO YOU HAVE A SIGNATURE STYLE? Style is a difficult thing to define. Every project should be a unique rationalisation of the various factors presented in that case: from contextual and programmatic to financial and material. That said, my mission on approaching each project is to create something practical, beautiful and spatially memorable. As a rule I try to use simple construction methods and standard materials in inventive ways. Ideally, designs should not only last but also get better over time. A building should look its worst at handover, and its best in 50 years’ time. Finishes and materials should require minimal maintenance and age well. IS SUSTAINABILITY A FACTOR IN YOUR DESIGN APPROACH? Definitely, although we should really just be calling it “common sense” by now. Apart from the obvious – optimising sun angles, good insulation, solar power and rainwater harvesting – I try to use sustain able principles for the benefit of the aesthetic and atmosphere of spaces, too. This can take the form of limiting glazing to smaller framed views, for example, to improve a building’s thermal mass as well as its sculptural quality. Or using functional details like sunshading screens or natural-ventilation louvres to add an extra layer of detail to a facade. WHAT KIND OF PROJECTS DO YOU ENJOY MOST? Any project that has an interesting site, a workable budget and open-minded clients. WHERE DO YOU SEE YOUR ARCHITECTURAL JOURNEY TAKING YOU IN TERMS OF FUTURE PROJECTS? I would like to take what I’ve learnt from doing small, single residential projects and apply this thinking to a multi-residential typology – more specifically, dense urban housing in any format. michaellumby.com, info@michaellumby.com, @michael_lumby reallifemagazine.co.za

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5 REAL design

URBAN & SUBURBAN BUILDING TRENDS TEXT Kim Maxwell PHOTOGRAPHS Shutterstock, TÃ©tris

REAL design

These features are being implemented now or are gaining momentum. Which are here to stay in architectural and urban design? Designers are rethinking how buildings can embrace people-centred design so future spaces can enhance the experiences that connect people and organisations. Expect these urban catalysts of change:

FUTURE-PROOF PARKING GARAGES Developers typically design to utilise as much of a building as possible. But what future do parking garages have if vehicle demand keeps decreasing? Traffic engineers are projecting that the US may have already reached peak parking. The architectural answer is future-proofing – designing a garage with flat floor plates and slightly taller floor-to-floor heights so a garage could become the framework of future occupiable space. Today’s parking garage may be tomorrow’s office or apartment. Urban designer Joe Pobiner of the design firm Gensler calls the parking garage the “bones of city 2050’s mixeduse building”. He recommends that clients future-proof new garages by building flat floor plates with a height of at least 3,3 m for future residential buildings, and aim for 4,5 m to accommodate conversion to residential lofts or office spaces. He says if local zoning regulations were to follow decreasing car ownership and/or use and the rising popularity of car sharing and on-demand ride services, on-site parking demand will drop. The property developer Amdec Group is building parking super-basements and abandoning multipurpose garages in its South African developments. These costly super-basements are time-consuming to develop, but facilitate a growing residential trend worldwide: compact apartments. More parking means more residents in apartment units. Also, some parking spaces can then be used for storage, creating more living space in these compact apartments. On the basement levels of The Yacht Club, Amdec’s development on Cape Town’s Roggebaai Canal, versatile spaces offer bicycle and stand-up paddleboard storage on wall-mounted hooks and shelves in a secure environment. The group is also exploring the viability of parking bays with secure storage units above parked vehicles.

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REGREENING More and more property developers are looking at green lungs in urban areas – that is why buildings and homes close to parks attract significantly higher rent and property values. With many people moving to smaller urban apartments, smart developers are designing projects with open spaces in mind. Tétris South Africa senior designer Rachel Andrews says biophilic design is a hot topic in the building and design industry. It is all about increasing occupant connectivity to a natural environment. Creating a living wall is one way to bring nature indoors. Rooftop gardens are becoming more popular in offices and residential developments, too. “A major challenge for developers is to create more green urban spaces and less concrete jungle,” says Amdec Property Development MD Nicholas Stopforth. “We look to trends around urban gardening initiatives, vertical gardens and rooftop gardens, plus parks for dog walking or simply enjoying the outdoors.”

REINVENTING SPACES AROUND FUNCTIONALITY Convertible and functional are the keywords: Spaces are being redesigned to maximise use as needs change. Take Thirty Keyes, a new apartment development in the Keyes Art Mile in Rosebank, Johannesburg. The architectural and interior design is based around a reinvented courtyard living concept that offers privacy, security, natural light, ventilation, thermal regulation and spatial circulation. “The courtyard remains unchallenged in its ability to span interior and exterior settings seamlessly,” says StudioMAS Architecture partner Pierre Swanepoel. He modelled the Thirty Keyes design proportions on a typical Amsterdam city block. Situated near an art museum and galleries, the development “draws on classical precedents of open-air arcades, atriums and colonnades, for residents to escape the urban bustle into a lush shared space”. The first 55 units are due to be completed in 2020.

RE-URBANISE OR REDEVELOP

FLEXIBLE MULTIPURPOSE VENUES

Mixed use is here to stay. These develop ments make it possible to do everything on a daily basis within a conveniently small radius. Downscaling, access to culture and dining, no-maintenance residences and less reliance on driving are all incentives. Businesses based in the suburbs are also impelled to redevelop in mixed-use fashion in order to attract and retain employees. Redeveloping functioning mixed-use neighbourhoods that are sustainable is key to their longevity. Instead of wasted time in traffic, an urban mixed-use lifestyle offers everything on foot: work, restaurants and gyms. Creating healthier mixed-use buildings is also gaining traction. Stopforth says the benefits are not limited to feel-good factors – there are advantages for business too. These include significant savings in operating costs, as well as the asset-value increase of a new green building versus a traditional one. “There is a strong case to be made for building green from the outset, as the Amdec Group believes in doing versus having to retrofit, which often proves costly,” he says.”

The community around the corner is a constant consideration in modern urban and suburban builds. According to the Gensler Research Institute, single-use spaces are becoming obsolete. Why not have a studio or showroom that links with a solo apartment? Future design aims at creating urban catalysts – flexible, multipurpose venues to house year-round activity, opening up additional revenue opportunities and spurring on hospitality and retail development. Sports facilities and convention centres can anchor and revitalise urban neighbourhoods. Pobiner says experience has real dollar value. Franchise architecture and cookiecutter designs are gone. “Now it is all about experience – how buildings and the spaces between them are treated in relation to human-scale design,” he says. “Malls will evolve to include residential units, hotels, offices, even high schools and college campuses. Experience brings customers back, not only for retail offerings but also for the sense of belonging and ownership.”

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REAL design

Incorporating biophilic design in the workplace – like this living wall in a Netherlands office by Tétris – has a positive effect on the well-being of employees.

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REAL trends

Welcome in the new season with fresh patterns and prints, engaging textures and a cheerful palette TEXT Julia Freemantle PHOTOGRAPHS Supplied 1

Cara Savenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Taking Flight wallpaper zooms in on life under our noses. Giant blooms and bees make for a vibrant and impactful wall scene. Pick out accent colours in your decor accessories to keep the scheme consistent. carasaven.com

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REAL trends

TURNING OVER A NEW LEAF

With the floral and foliage trend having been around for quite some time, designers are finding ways to continually keep it fresh. From overscaled blooms and leaves to monotone interpretations, they’re a new breed of a beloved favourite.

2,3

. Foliage needn’t be green nor flowers feminine. Break the rules here and choose monochrome versions for a more sophisticated and neutral take on these classic textile choices. The black-and-white Fern Believer print from Hertex makes a subtle backdrop to just about any decor style, but will look particularly good with natural materials. The Willie Schlechter Protea pattern from Robin Sprong in ochre is an elegant and warm option. Take inspiration from this combination of panelling and paper. hertex.co.za, robinsprong.com

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GO EAST

Inherently fresh and delicate, and often nature-orientated, Oriental-themed patterns are ideal for spring, but also neutral enough that they won’t date across the seasons. These modern takes on iconic motifs make them ideal for contemporary interiors.

. Bamboo, but not as you know it. Romo’s Japura design reimagines the elegant plant in toned-down blue rather than green – making it feel brand-new. This would look excellent teamed with metallics for a really luxe feel. romosouthafrica.com

5. Very graphic in quality, the Pine pattern in the Nippon wallpaper collection from Sandberg – available at The Silk and Cotton Co – almost doesn’t read as foliage, which makes it a really good neutral and understated print for a high-traffic area. Its scale makes it best suited to a fairly expansive wall, so use it in a large space for best effect. silkco.co.za

6. An updated abstract take on the perennial Japanese cherryblossom emblem, this design by Élitis at St Leger & Viney reduces the flowers to almost just an outline, which gives it a modern feel. It’ll look extra sharp paired with contemporary decor and grounded with black accents. stleger.co.za

7. This Shangri-la design in the Nirvana collection from Hertex offers a fresh way to use fabric to add depth to a space and an alternative vertical application to wallpaper. The jewel tones are Oriental in spirit but less traditional than the norm. hertex.co.za

8. The traditional village scene in Where I Build my House from Cara Saven has been given a 21st-century spin with bright colour. The combination of complementary yellow chairs makes the blue and orange in the pattern pop. carasaven.com

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UNDERSTATED ETHNIC

Traditional ethnic textiles and organic patterns have long been celebrated for their inherent craft and textural quality, and are more popular than ever. Often quite rustic by nature, you can use them beautifully in contemporary settings with a slight slant.

It has a beautiful

time-worn

feel, yet looks glamorous thanks to a metallic finish

9. These fabrics from Hertex offer graphic ethnic appeal without being over-the-top. The simplicity of the pattern is key to the look reading as sophisticated. hertex.co.za

10. The Moderna Lua fabric by Mark Alexander, also available at Romo, is homespun authenticity at its best, yet looks super current because it features varying tones of the same hue instead of multiple colours. Pair it with timber, stone and clay tones for an on-point look. romosouthafrica.com

11. Mark Alexander’s Japura Ikat wallcovering, available at Romo, has a beautiful timeworn feel, yet looks glamorous thanks to a metallic finish – a foolproof finish to make a space look high-end. romosouthafrica.com

12. The jewel-like quality of Tiphaine Alston’s Harvest Blue 12

design from Robin Sprong looks edgy and up to date courtesy of a mirroring effect and smart pairing with feminine colours and luxe fabrics. robinsprong.com

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BIRD’S-EYE VIEW

Avian-themed designs offer natureinspired charm. An ever-popular motif that lends itself well to a repeat pattern, it’s a super-versatile theme and comes in all shapes, species and sizes.

13 If drama is what you’re after, opt for quality over quantity with one large visual – mural style. This swan scene from Robin Sprong offers baroque-level impact such that you’d only need to do one accent wall in a space. robinsprong.com

14. Combine two classics with one design. This Cara Saven Leicester motif, inspired by iconic textile designer William Morris, offers period charm without being stuffy or serious – upbeat colours keep it fresh and fun. carasaven.com

15. A painterly effect in pink is the epitome of femininity. Here, watercolour geese take flight in the Xanadu design from Hertex. The movement and flow in the pattern make it a perfect motif for curtaining fabric. hertex.co.za

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HOME

TEXT Julia Freemantle PHOTOGRAPHS Karl Rogers, supplied

Six experts in their fields give their insight into smart investments for theÂ home

REAL luxury

BATHROOMS Emanuele Benedini, owner and CEO of the Italian bathroom brand Agape, answers our questions about bathroom design agapedesign.it

BATHROOM COLOUR TRENDS SEEM TO HAVE CHANGED A LOT RECENTLY. WHICH BATHROOM COLOURS WON’T DATE TOO QUICKLY? I would

and wood go hand-in-hand for amazing aesthetic and functional appeal.

definitely go for something neutral, a nicely weighted shade of grey probably. The more vibrant colours, so in vogue today, will quickly tire after the initial enthusiasm has faded away. Neutrals, on the other hand, allow the items and the surfaces to shine and stand out, acting as an unselfish backdrop for the perfect bathroom composition.

FOR A BATHROOM THAT WILL ADD VALUE AND NOT BECOME PASSÉ WITHIN A FEW YEARS, WHAT TYPE OF BATH WOULD YOU RECOMMEND?

WHAT MATERIALS AND SURFACES WILL ADD VALUE TO A BATHROOM? Marble. This truly timeless material has proven itself. Available in a great number of varieties, marble has an intrinsic value and it can be truly contemporary when wisely matched with other materials – as seen in the Lariana free-standing basin, where marble

It would greatly depend on the environment and its mood. Our Ottocento, for example, is a non-nostalgic reinterpretation of the classic free-standing bath, and would be comfortable in any kind of bathroom, today or 15 years from now. The baths from the Spoon family, designed by my brother Giampaolo Benedini, have been our best-sellers for more than 20 years now, and show that simple yet bold statements have their own timeless value. The Vieques by Patricia Urquiola is a sophisticated piece with a strong personality, yet is an easy complement to many different atmospheres and products.

OPPOSITE A neutral colour like grey gives a bathroom timeless appeal, as does a bath like the Marsiglia, designed by Lucidi Pevere for Agape. ABOVE LEFT Emanuele Benedini. ABOVE RIGHT Baths have seen a recent resurgence of popularity, with the trend of “bathrooms as sanctuary” on the rise. The In-Out bath is a design by Benedini Associati. reallifemagazine.co.za

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REAL luxury

The fully integrated Gaggenau 400 series Vario wine climate cabinet.

KITCHENS Elizabete Nelson, communications manager at Gaggenau, talks timeless kitchen design gaggenau.com/za

WHAT ARE CONSUMERS CURRENTLY LOOKING FOR IN A KITCHEN? Integrated appliances are certainly

WHAT SHOULD YOU INCORPORATE IN A NEW KITCHEN TO ADD VALUE TO YOUR PROPERTY?

a preference, and in terms of appliances trends, customers look for multifunctional appliances such as an oven-andsteam combo or oven-and-microwave combo.

The kitchen should be at least 10% of the value of your home. In addition, accessories such as cupboard hinges and taps, mixers and sinks must be good quality, so don’t cut costs here.

WHAT SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN A NEWLY DESIGNED KITCHEN TO ENSURE IT DOESN’T DATE QUICKLY? Less is more is a trend, so no clutter

WHAT KIND OF FINISHES AND APPLIANCES ARE INVESTMENT-WORTHY? In terms of finishes,

(integrated appliances provide a seamless finish). Ergonomic layout – such as an eye-level oven and built-in extraction – is important, as is open-plan living where the kitchen is part of the home.

wood, stone and good-quality stainless steel are both contemporary and timeless. Special features such as the Gaggenau climate-controlled wine cabinet add significant value.

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GARDENS Garden designer Franchesca Watson gives some tips on creating a garden that will add value to your property franchescawatson.com

WHAT SHOULD YOU PLANT IN YOUR GARDEN TO ENSURE LONGEVITY? If you’re planting for the

associate these with unnecessary maintenance. A terrace is always popular, and a vegetable or herb garden seems to be on most people’s wish list.

long term, trees and shrubs should form the backbone of the garden. Larger plants tend to live for longer than smaller ones, but this is not always the case – for instance, agapanthus will last for generations. As a rule of thumb, though, if the plants you choose are suited to the climate and soil, they will thrive and the garden will become established.

apart is good design that takes into account and works with the architecture – where the garden design gels with the architectural style.

WHAT FEATURES DO PEOPLE MOST COMMONLY LOOK FOR IN A GARDEN? Young families love a lawn

HOW DO YOU ENSURE YOUR GARDEN DESIGN REMAINS TIMELESS? Avoid gimmicks in both design

and a swimming pool, whereas older people tend to

and plant choice.

HOW DO YOU ENSURE THE GARDEN ADDS VALUE TO YOUR PROPERTY? What will set your property

BELOW LEFT A successful and enduring garden design takes into account the architectural style of the house. BELOW RIGHT Landscape architect Franchesca Watson is one of the country’s most prominent garden design experts.

FURNITURE: FUTURE CLASSICS Aldon McLeod, the owner of True Design, a local stockist of authentic international designer products, gives some insight into furniture as investment truedesign.co.za

WHICH CONTEMPORARY DESIGNS DO YOU CONSIDER FUTURE CLASSICS – ITEMS THAT PEOPLE CAN INVEST IN NOW THAT MAY BECOME HEIRLOOMS IN THE COMING DECADES? There are some elegant contemporary pieces from Moroso. Designer Patricia Urquiola’s Fjord armchair with its fantastic curves will become a timeless piece.

WHICH BRAND IS A SOLID INVESTMENT? The Italian brand Cassina is renowned for its collectable furniture. Older pieces in authentic condition with a known provenance tend to be more valuable than newer versions.

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WHICH PIECES DO YOU FIND CONSISTENTLY POPULAR? Cassina’s LC Collection is a best-selling range of investment pieces. [Cassina has the exclusive rights to manufacture and sell furniture designed by Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret and Charlotte Perriand.] They are iconic and timeless, and can be incorporated into any setting, whether contemporary or classic.

WHICH UPHOLSTERY MATERIAL IS BEST FOR RETAINING VALUE? I would recommend leather, as fabric tends to fade and wear over years of use, whereas leather acquires character.

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FURNITURE: MID-CENTURY PIECES We chat to Anikesh Ramani, co-owner of MØDERNIST, a mid-century modern furniture boutique in Parkhurst modernist.biz

WHY THE SUDDEN RESURGENCE OF INTEREST IN MID-CENTURY DESIGN? The good, clean design is understated, which helps to keep it timeless. In our increasingly use-and-throw-away culture, more and more people are also attracted to the older processes where profit was not the main factor in manufacturing, where real care was taken in making something – and a lot of it was done by hand or simple machinery.

WHAT KIND OF PIECES DO YOU CONSIDER PARTICULARLY COLLECTABLE? Good-condition labelled or stamped pieces, which are usually of Danish origin by designers like Finn Juhl, Arne Jacobsen, Børge Mogensen and Hans Wegner, to name a few, are collectable. Japanese minimal design also had an influence on this movement, and vice versa, so there are some great examples from the East as well. Pieces from other Scandinavian countries, Brazil and the US, among others, can also be sought-after.

Japanese minimal design also had an influence on this movement

ABOVE Gavin Thomas and Anikesh Ramani, co-owners of MØDERNIST, a respected source of authentic mid-century pieces in Johannesburg. OPPOSITE LEFT Aldon McLeod, owner of True Design. OPPOSITE RIGHT True Design stocks renowned brands like Cassina, whose Cab chair by Mario Bellini is considered a significant 20th century design.

WHICH NAMES SHOULD A LOCAL COLLECTOR LOOK FOR? Frystark, Artecasa, Kallanbach, DS Vorster and Novocraft are good examples of South African midcentury manufacturers. We used to find a fair number of authentic Danish pieces locally as well, but these have become rare. At MØDERNIST, we now work with a buyer to import original mid-century pieces from Denmark. Our shop Wasteland upstairs stocks mainly locally sourced items.

IS THERE ANYTHING THAT IS A NO-NO IN TERMS OF RESTORATION? Premium mint-condition pieces bought as an investment should always be left as untouched as possible. But such pieces are rare in any case. On the imported Danish items, we do very light wood restoration that retains the character of the piece. Altering the wood in any way that is not reversible is a big no-no, and painting it in a different colour can affect re-sale. There are no issues, however, with re-upholstering a piece in materials that one likes that form part of an interior look, especially if the original or previously re-covered fabric is dated or worn.

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Inevitable Journey to Mars I by Simphiwe Ndzube, 2016, acrylic and mixed media on perspex print.

ART Interested in investing in art? Bina Genovese, joint managing director Cape Town at Strauss & Co, has some advice straussart.co.za

WHAT IS CURRENTLY PROVING TO BE COLLECTABLE IN THE ART SPHERE? Collectors’ tastes and needs are varied, and as such it is difficult to pinpoint exactly what is proving to be collectable. That said, in South Africa, earlier-20th-century moderns are sought-after – Irma Stern, JH Pierneef, Alexis Preller, Anton van Wouw and Maggie Laubscher, among others. In 2018, in order to meet the demands of a noticeable shift in buying trends, Strauss & Co introduced a standalone contemporary art auction to its programme. Emerging young contemporary South African artists that are collectable include Zander Blom, Georgina Gratrix, Mustafa Maluka, Simphiwe Ndzube and Jake Aikman. We have also witnessed a noticeable uptick in interest in the work of photographers such as Jane Alexander, David Goldblatt, Zanele Muholi and Mary Sibande.

HOW DOES A WOULD-BE INVESTOR WITH LIMITED FUNDS CHOOSE WISELY? The old adage that it is advisable to purchase a five-star work by a lesserknown artist rather than a one-star work by a greater artist still stands today. Endeavour to buy the best examples of an artist’s output that you can afford.

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DO TRENDS SWAY WHAT’S MORE DESIRABLE, OR IS THE VALUE OF ART DETERMINED BY OTHER FACTORS? Yes, trends do affect art prices. It is advisable not to be too swayed by what is popular or trendy, as it may go out of fashion as quickly as it came in. Most artists earn their reputation over a long period of time. Other factors that can influence the value of art are artist retrospectives (exhibitions that open the public’s eyes to a particular artist’s oeuvre), museums (we are fortunate in South Africa to have an increased number of museums that are constantly mounting exhibitions that endorse and educate), academic endorsement, galleries (they do an enormous amount of work to promote their represented artists); and exposure in the press (Nelson Makamo’s recent appearance on The Daily Show and Time magazine’s cover has definitely enhanced his reputation).

WHAT CRITERIA SHOULD SOMEONE USE TO CHOOSE AN INVESTMENT PIECE THAT WILL APPRECIATE? If you buy an artist at the zenith of his/her career you are not going to see a return in the short term. It is important to like what you collect as many years could go by before the value increases, if at all.

REAL luxury

Isililo XX by Zanele Muholi, 2014, inkjet print, edition of 100.

Invest in a carefree retirement lifestyle Evergreen Lifestyle has earned an enviable reputation as South Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading provider of retirement living. They take an all-round approach to caring for seniors, and the communities of healthy, happy retirees who call their villages home, speaks for itself. Evergreen offers a Partnership for Life promise that has served its residents exceptionally well.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO JOIN ONE OF OUR VIEWING DAYS CALL US ON 087 808 7000 TO RESERVE A PLACE. WE LOOK FORWARD TO WELCOMING YOU.

info@evergreenlifestyle.co.za

www.evergreenlifestyle.co.za

/evergreenlifestyle

@Evergreen_LV

NEW-GENERATION RETIREMENT Oasis Life set to change the standard of loving your retirement Retirement is not an end but a beginning – an opportunity to experiment and explore, to engage in pursuits you value, and perhaps to reinvent your legacy. For decades, people from their early 50s, but certainly by age 70, were expected to end their career and embrace a life of leisure. That paradigm has shifted, however. Half of today’s 60-year-olds will live to at least age 90. No longer are we interested in a “retirement home”, but there are still certain practical aspects to consider in terms of living conditions, health concerns and the general freedom that comes from scaling down and unlocking a whole new phase of living. With the overarching aim of providing a lifestyle offering based on hospitality, contemporary homes and modern facilities, Oasis Life is set to stand apart from the crowd. See it as ultra-comfortable living, with benefits. Depending on the development, free-standing homes or luxury apartments are designed and finished with care and attention to detail. “Our lifestyle centres are managed by experts in the hospitality industry,” says John Chapman, director at Rabie. “Whether it’s enjoying a delicious meal at the restaurant or attending a movie screening, the standard of living and community aspects found at an Oasis Life development is aimed at allowing our residents to live their best life.” There are three Oasis Life developments in the pipeline in Greater Cape Town, with Oasis Life Clara Anna Fontein in Durbanville well under way. Three showhouses, currently under construction, will be on show in October 2019. “Sophisticated modern living with everything at your fingertips” is the theme of Oasis Life Century City’s luxury apartments, set to be launched in October. Oasis Life Century City will rise along the water’s edge of the former Ratanga Junction. The water body will be rehabilitated and enlarged to create a new recreational destination for water activities and a habitat for birds. Oasis Life Burgundy Estate, planned to launch in November, will enjoy being part of the well-established Burgundy Estate in Milnerton. A combination of free-standing homes and two and four storey apartment blocks (with lifts of course) will be complemented by a modern lifestyle centre. “We want you to love your retirement,” says Chapman. “It’s therefore important to us that you enjoy independence and autonomy, with a fabulous lifestyle being a key focus.”

FROM THE TOP Artist’s impressions of the lifestyle centre at Oasis Life Clara Anna Fontein; Oasis Life Century City; and the restaurant at Oasis Life Burgundy Estate.

www.oasislife.co.za

REAL retirement

retire

I WANT TO

HERE

TEXT Kim Maxwell PHOTOGRAPHS Supplied

And why wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t you, when comfort, aesthetics, technology and design come together in modern retirement estate homes?

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REAL retirement If there is a strong growth push in local property, it’s in modern retirement estates that are designed to please. Developers have researched the market, and are responding to technologically savvy future retirees who travel, enjoy an active lifestyle, and pursue diverse social activities and personal interests. They want to live well, too. We’ve put together a selection of retirement estates in Gauteng, KwaZuluNatal, the Eastern Cape and the Western Cape that offer unique selling propositions.

MALMESBURY FONTEINE VILLAGE AT KLIPFONTEIN FARM LIFESTYLE ESTATE www.klipfonteinfarm.co.za/fonteine-village

DURBANVILLE OASIS LIFE CLARA ANNA FONTEIN www.oasislife.co.za/clara-anna-fontein-homes

CAPE TOWN OASIS LIFE CENTURY CITY www.oasislife.co.za/century-city

CAPE TOWN OASIS LIFE BURGUNDY ESTATE www.oasislife.co.za/burgundy-estate

LANGEBAAN LANGEBAAN MANOR RETIREMENT & LIFESTYLE ESTATE langebaanmanor.co.za

CAPE TOWN

BUH-REIN RETIREMENT VILLAGE

DE PLATTEKLOOF LIFESTYLE ESTATE

buhreinestate.co.za/retirement

www.deplattekloof.co.za

NOORDHOEK EVERGREEN LAKE MICHELLE www.evergreenlifestyle.co.za/our_villages/evergreen-lake-michelle

SEA POINT EIGHTONN www.blok.co.za/developments/eightonn 48

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BROADACRES PARK, JOHANNESBURG EVERGREEN BROADACRES

www.evergreenlifestyle.co.za/our_villages/ evergreen-broadacres

MODDERFONTEIN, JOHANNESBURG HERITAGE ESTATE

heritage-estate.co.za

PORT ZIMBALI LAZULI LIFESTYLE & RETIREMENT ESTATE

lazuliestate.co.za

PORT ELIZABETH HOPEWELL CONSERVATION ESTATE

www.hopewellconservation.co.za

UMDLOTI SHORELINE SIBAYA shorelinesibaya.co.za

KEURBOOMSTRAND THE PLETTENBERG MANOR www.theplettmanor.co.za KUILS RIVER/STELLENBOSCH SOMERSET WEST HELDERBERG MANOR www.devmark.co.za/helderberg-manor

ZEVENWACHT LIFESTYLE ESTATE

zevenwacht-lifestyle-estate.co.za

REAL retirement

Many retirement schemes cater only for the upper market. We address this issue by offering well-priced sectional title ownership properties

COASTAL ESTATES LANGEBAAN MANOR RETIREMENT & LIFESTYLE ESTATE, LANGEBAAN Langebaan Lagoon is a popular West Coast attraction for sailing and kite-surfing. Construction of this sectional title retirement development is set to start in 2020. Investing in the first phases now means a pick of the best stands at launch prices and potential long-term growth.

Riaan Roos, CEO of Multi Spectrum Property (MSP)

THE PLETTENBERG MANOR, KEURBOOMSTRAND Access to a private beach, hiking trails, a wetland, bird hides and bowling greens… This retirement estate on the Garden Route has it all. Sectional title apartments with fibre connectivity are priced from R1.55 million and luxury units from R2.695 million.

PLATTELAND ESTATES

LAZULI LIFESTYLE & RETIREMENT ESTATE,

FONTEINE VILLAGE AT KLIPFONTEIN FARM

PORT ZIMBALI

LIFESTYLE ESTATE, MALMESBURY

In this sectional title luxury development, residents have panoramic views of the sea, and Zimbali Country Club is on their doorstep. They enjoy a balance between privacy and community lifestyle, with access to dedicated trails, conservation and wetland areas, a private gym with a heated pool and more. The estate also offers fibre connectivity and a business centre within a secure perimeter. Phase two of Fig Tree Villas’ three-bedroom homes, priced from R5.295 million, will be completed in November. Sentinel Hill apartments, for completion in 2021, are selling off plan from R1.795 million per unit.

Located in a multigenerational estate, Fonteine Village is a new rural addition for investors aged 50 and older that capitalises on quality lifestyle amenities combined with views of the Swartland. The facility offers an integrated fibre solution that includes a telephone service, internet connection and DStv. Phase three is now selling, and prices for a full-title retirement home with a garage start at R1 899 900.

SHORELINE SIBAYA, UMDLOTI Also on the popular North Coast, Shoreline is billed as the “ultimate coastal retirement opportunity” for active over50s. Located in the Sibaya Coastal Precinct commercial and residential node, it’s close to 6.5 km of beach and to Umhlanga. With 75% of Shoreline Sibaya’s homes sold via sectional title and construction under way, the first transfers take place in October. A key attraction is a planned on-site care centre.

ZEVENWACHT LIFESTYLE ESTATE, BETWEEN KUILS RIVER AND STELLENBOSCH Zevenwacht provides everything a mature resident may want or need in a full title or sectional title model, so investors can benefit from property capital growth. Adjacent to Zevenwacht Wine Estate (residents’ discounts on wine and spa treatments are a plus), the estate offers accommodation options ranging from lifestyle homes and independent living apartments to assisted living suites and frail-care rooms. There are tennis courts and mountain-bike and running trails, plus a clubhouse with fireplaces and a library.

OPPOSITE, CLOCKWISE FROM THE TOP The Plettenberg Manor in Keurboomstrand, near Plettenberg Bay. | Lazuli Lifestyle & Retirement Estate in Port Zimbali, near Ballito. | Langebaan Manor Retirement & Lifestyle Estate in the West Coast town of Langebaan. 50

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REAL retirement ECO-ESTATES EVERGREEN LAKE MICHELLE, NOORDHOEK Expect tranquil views of mountains and water in this lovely multi generational estate on 90 hectares in rural Noordhoek. It borders Table Mountain National Park, is surrounded by wetland, and has a lake for swimming and sailing. Evergreen Lifestyle developed 30 retirement homes (110 more are planned) for over-55s on a life rights basis, located among freehold family homes. All residents benefit from top security.

HOPEWELL CONSERVATION ESTATE, PORT ELIZABETH With plots and lifestyle homes built in a 2 500-hectare nature reserve stocked with non-predator game, Hopewell is an attractive residential lifestyle option only 20 minutes’ drive from town. Eventually, 330 units will also be available to retirees (the purchase model is not defined). “Our target market of early retirement buyer will be spending in the R800 000 to R1.5 million sector,” says Hopewell GM Kevin Taylor. “Guys selling up in Joburg can’t always afford Franschhoek or the KwaZulu-Natal North Coast.”

MULTIGENERATIONAL ESTATES BUH-REIN RETIREMENT VILLAGE, CAPE TOWN More than 100 units have been sold at Buh-Rein Retirement Village in the Northern Suburbs. “Many retirement schemes cater only for the upper market. We address this issue by offering well-priced sectional title ownership properties,” says Riaan Roos, CEO of Multi Spectrum Property (MSP). Independent living and assisted living apartments alike are priced from R919 900. Residents have access to the multigenerational Buh-Rein Estate’s landscaped gardens, running trails and a pool, plus retirement-specific domestic and medical services, including dementia care.

OASIS LIFE CLARA ANNA FONTEIN, DURBANVILLE Clara Anna Fontein Lifestyle Estate in rural Durbanville offers a slice of farm life in the scenic Durbanville hills, with technologically advanced security. Within this larger lifestyle estate, Oasis Life Clara Anna Fontein caters for retirees with one- to three-bedroom single-level homes with a garage, garden and braai area. Priced from R2.38 million to R5.75 million, they’re available only on a life rights model. Advantages include a quality suburban home close to nature, with views and the benefit of home maintenance by developer Rabie Property Group. Residents have access to the estate’s gym, heated pool, tennis and squash courts, as well as an Oasis clubhouse with exclusive amenities.

OPPOSITE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT Evergreen Lake Michelle in Noordhoek, Cape Town | Buh-Rein Retirement Village in Cape Town’s Northern Suburbs. | Oasis Life Clara Anna Fontein in Durbanville. | The Blok development EIGHTONN in Sea Point. | Broadacres, an Evergreen Lifestyle Village in Johannesburg. | De Plattekloof Lifestyle Estate in Cape Town’s Northern Suburbs.

ON SECTIONAL TITLE “Sectional title opportunities gain capital appreciation and allow investors to gain a rental income. Those who invested in our earlier developments have seen as much as 30% capital appreciation from securing a unit to subsequent transfer.”

– Taryn Fleming, spokesperson for Shoreline Sibaya “Sectional title ownership allows the buyer to own their unit in the estate and also to sell, transfer or bequeath it. The owner is responsible for municipal rates and taxes and services, and for a general levy to cover the estate maintenance and expenses. These levies differ from estate to estate.” – Aristy Economacos, spokesperson for Heritage Estate “If someone buys an apartment at De Plattekloof for R1.5 million and lives there for 10 years – if we apply only the national capital growth average of 5% – that apartment will be worth R2.443 million in 2029. That is just shy of R1 million in capital growth.” – Johan Laubscher, owner of Arun Holdings

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REAL luxury ON LIFE RIGHTS URBAN ESTATES DE PLATTEKLOOF LIFESTYLE ESTATE, CAPE TOWN Offering a “five-star lifestyle for the over-50s”, this awardwinning Northern Suburbs retirement estate caters for luxury buyers in the R7 million price range. A full ownership model buys great views and proximity to the city. Tijgerzicht assisted living apartments include lifestyle amenities and a state-of-theart health-care centre. Bloemendal and Lebenstijn independent living apartments have been completed, and the Diemerskuijl independent living apartment scheme is now selling and under construction. More accessibly priced properties range from a Tijgerzicht assisted living apartment at R1.367 million to an entrylevel independent living apartment at R1.586 million.

HERITAGE ESTATE, JOHANNESBURG Heritage Estate in Modderfontein provides a superior community lifestyle for residents over 50 “looking to retire in the timeless elegance of a heritage property built in 1910”. Revamped Heritage House opened in February, with common areas that include a lounge, a home theatre, a wellness hub, a library and a business centre. Guided walks are offered at nearby Modderfontein Nature Reserve. This sectional title estate offers 126 stylish, secure lockup-and-go units fitted with Bosch kitchens. Options include The Firs simplex units; The Oaks apartments and penthouses; and Olive Grove, a new phase to be launched later this year.

EIGHTONN, SEA POINT Priced from R5.85 million for a sectional title apartment, EIGHTONN offers luxury value to an early retiree investor. The urban location and seaside lifestyle suits a more independent resident. Lior van Embden, developer Blok’s sales and brand manager, says EIGHTONN allows for living and working in the city while securing a retirement future on the Atlantic Seaboard. “Our modern apartments accommodate various needs with a variety of floor plans, customisation options and thoughtful design to maximise the available living space,” she says. The development has no frail-care unit, but a 24/7 care concierge assists with medical requests and manages the deli and rooftop wellness studio. There is internet, security services, water-wise fittings and an on-site building manager.

EVERGREEN BROADACRES, JOHANNESBURG Park-like grounds appeal in a popular suburb in Fourways. Residents get to enjoy homes or luxury apartments via a life rights model. A cutting-edge lifestyle centre includes dining, a heated swimming pool, a library and a salon. Primary, recuperative, frail, dementia and palliative care are also on offer.

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“People need to know they have a quality existence and a solid roof over their heads for the rest of their lives. A life rights option provides this in a more secure way than a sectional title scheme. It gives a buyer and their partner the right to live in a property until the end of their days, without concerns about extra or ever-rising costs.” – Arthur Case, brand marketing director at Evergreen Retirement Holdings “The life rights model is the most affordable way to buy into a privileged retirement lifestyle. You have a secure home for life, protected by the Retired Persons Act. You save on upfront costs: no VAT, transfer duty or registration costs and only mandatory legal fees.” – John Chapman, Director, Rabie Property Group “A life right will not increase in capital value the way buying a sectional title property will do – in fact, it’s more like purchasing a life insurance policy – but it can be far more affordable. Ownership of a life rights complex always remains in the hands of the developer, which means the developer is responsible for all maintenance and upgrading costs.” – Cobus Bedeker, MD at Evergreen Property Investments

A SERENE LIFE next to the beach awaits

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AIMING HIGH Balwin Properties is not only raking in awards for its residential estates, but can also claim a world first Balwin Properties has won numerous awards for its new residential estates, including, in 2018, the International Award for Best Apartment South Africa for Paardevlei Square in Somerset West and the five-star Best Leisure Interior South Africa Award for The Polofields in Waterfall Estate. In 2019, Balwin has won four African Property Awards, including five-star Best Apartment and Best Leisure Architecture awards for Ballito Hills and The Blyde, respectively. Notably, Balwin recently broke a world record with its Green EDGE registration of more than 16 000 apartments – the highest number of green homes by any property developer in the world to date. EDGE, an innovation of the International Finance Corporation (IFC), was created to respond to the need for a measurable solution to prove the financial case for building green. The EDGE standard is set at a minimum of 20% reduction across energy consumption, water usage and embodied energy in materials. Solid Green Consulting was appointed to consolidate performance specifications for construction practices across the Balwin Properties

portfolio to create an EDGE-compliant standard specification and to support the registration process. “Balwin Properties has always been differentiated by its innovative approach to environmental management while creating quality lifestyle developments,” says Balwin Properties founder and CEO Steve Brookes. Registration of the 16 094 apartments is expected to be completed over six months. The developments to be EDGE-certified are The Whisken, Kikuyu, The Reid, The Blyde, De Zicht, The Huntsman and Ballito Hills (built to sell); and Greenpark, Greenlee and Greencreek (rental). All these accolades certainly don’t mean Balwin is resting on its laurels. It recently established Balwin Fibre, with the vision to become the best fibre operator in South Africa. In selected Balwin properties, the fibre infrastructure is already installed when an owner moves into their new home. The streamlined installation is then paired with Balwin Fibre’s custom ISP management portal, allowing a homeowner to go from no connectivity to up to a 100 Mbps uncapped, unshaped fibre account shortly after signing up.

TEL: Johannesburg +27 (0)11 450 2818 | Cape Town +27 (0)21 020 0849 | Durban +27 (0)87 049 0121 WEBSITE: www.balwin.co.za

REAL investment

SETTING NEW

sustainability STANDARDS TEXT Miriam Manak PHOTOGRAPHS Supplied

Water shortages and rising energy bills are driving the countrywide demand for sustainable property; we look at how green and award-winning initiatives in this sector are setting up South Africa for a brighter future

The proposed Harbour Arch mixed-use precinct in Cape Town, aÂ development of the AmdecÂ Group.

REAL investment

South Africa’s property sector is becoming greener every year. According to the 2018 World Green Building Trends report, the percentage of developers who’re members of the Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA) rose from 31% in 2015 to 51% in 2018. This will likely translate into more green developments, including residential projects. The report shows that, by 2021, 48% of South African developers will dedicate 60% of their projects to green endeavours – up from 28% in 2015. Various elements are driving the market. “Water shortages and load-shedding make resource-efficient homes increasingly attractive,” says Anthony Stroebel, head of strategy for the Pam Golding Property Group and a GBCSA board member. “Properties listed with green attributes such as energy efficiency and water-saving features receive considerable attention.”

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NEW AWARENESS Sustainability is about more than keeping your utility bills low and safeguarding your water and electricity supply. South Africa’s property industry is driven by increasing awareness around environmental issues. “Homeowners, tenants and investors want to know what is being done to reduce the impact on the environment,” says Amdec Property Development MD Nicholas Stopforth. Grahame Cruickshanks, the GBCSA’s managing executive of market engagement, confirms growing environmental awareness among South Africans. “This informs their choice of homes.” The GBCSA’s independently verified certification systems, Edge and Green Star SA, offer consumers peace of mind by providing a reliable measurement of their homes’ environmental performance. Jessica Hofmeyr, sales, rentals, marketing and operations executive at Century Property Developments, shares Cruickshanks’ opinion. “People are more educated on the subject, and sustainability is becoming a deciding factor on where they live,” she says.

RESILIENT DESIGN What makes a home, apartment or residential development sustainable starts with the way

it is built, says Cruickshanks. “Many developers are using the best-practice approach to designing a building’s envelope – walls, floor, and roof – appropriately for the region, taking into account specific elements such as insulation, correctly sized and orientated windows and doors, shading, as well as building materials with the right thermal mass. This is the ability to store and release heat at different times of the day,” he says. “Technology is added to enhance a building’s performance.” Green architect David Talbot, founder of the multidisciplinary consultancy Platform, explains that it comes down to resilient design, which is defined as the intentional planning of buildings, landscapes, communities and regions in response to vulnerabilities to disaster and disruption of normal life. “Resilient design has become a genuine trend among developers and architects, one that helps occupants deal with Eskom and water outages,” says Talbot. “Individual home owners are looking at this more and more, too.”

WATER-WISER In arid South Africa, water is a big issue, particularly from a property development point of view. As the effects of water constraints are becoming more palpable, more developers are going the extra mile to save every drop. Simply installing rainwater tanks is no longer enough. “We have implemented systems that detect water leaks immediately, and our latest developments including The Precinct in the Waterfall area, The Parks in Riversands and The Campus in Auckland Park, have greywater systems in place,” says Hofmeyr. Amdec Property Development, too, has upped its water-efficiency offering. It has fitted its most recent development, The Yacht Club in Cape Town, with a reverse osmosis plant that provides 35 000 litres of clean drinking water every day, taking it off the municipal water grid completely. Amdec’s future Harbour Arch development will be equally water-wise. “With water scarcity being the new normal, developers must implement water-wise strategies from the ground up,” says Stopforth.

OPPOSITE The Legaro Property Development’s three-storey office development 78 Corlett Drive incorporates shading louvres that constitute a dynamic facade element.

GREEN-STAR BUILDINGS BALWIN PROPERTIES With its popular buy-to-sell and rental developments across South Africa, Balwin Properties announced recently that it broke a world record with the largest Green Edge registration of more than 15 500 units. Developments such as Kikuyu, The Whisken, Ballito Hills and The Huntsman form part of the 16 094 Edge-registered homes expected to be completed in six months. Balwin Properties CEO Steve Brookes says this achievement underscores their commitment to sustainable development and adds to the appeal of investing not only in convenience of location but also in innovation. FOURLEAF ESTATE, PORT ELIZABETH Africa’s first residential development to receive the GBCSA’s Edge final certification, this property is up to 29% more energy-efficient and 25% more waterefficient than the average regular home. 78 CORLETT DRIVE, JOHANNESBURG This office development by Legaro Property Development was the highestrated green building in the country in 2018, and got six stars from Green Star SA. The design incorporates minimalist geometries, with louvres serving as a passive shading device.

GREEN ESTATE RULES Before investing in an estate, first establish its sustainability profile in a high-risk environment, says Louise Martin of Estate Living. Though it has become common for new estates to follow green practices, established ones such as Arabella and Helderberg Village Estate in the Western Cape are now retrofitting their buildings by installing water-treatment devices, for instance. What’s more, their homeowners association rules are reviewed regularly to keep up to date with new sustainable developments.

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CLEVER LANDSCAPING Looking at lowering a development’s water footprint, the role of landscaping cannot be ignored. This goes beyond planting water-wise vegetation. Val de Vie in Paarl, for instance, has implemented innovative irrigation technology interventions that have decreased its Pearl Valley Golf Course’s irrigation footprint by a third over the past summer season. The choice of paving can also help residential developments be more sustainable. At Century City in Cape Town, Rabie Property Group is doing its bit by, where possible, having storm water running into the ground instead of draining off hard surfaces and roads. “This assists with the natural regeneration of the water table within developments,” says Rabie director John Chapman. “By designing your development’s landscape in a certain way, you can also capture storm water in retention ponds,” adds Talbot. “Municipalities are encouraging civil engineers and developers to incorporate such ponds in their developments’ land scaping to retain and store excess rainwater, which can be used for irrigation or even to flush toilets.”

WASTE NOTHING Another trend among developers is to reduce their projects’ waste output. Talbot says the construction phase of property developments tends to generate a lot of waste that often goes to landfill. Fortunately this is starting to change, thanks to new legislation. “The City of Cape Town has implemented rules prescribing that waste-management plans have to be submitted along with building plans. This is pushing contractors to recycle more waste rather than send it to landfill,” he says. Innovative building techniques that produce less waste than bricks-and-mortar construction are also gaining traction. Cross-laminated timber (CLT) construction, for example, involves the use of large prefabricated sustainably produced wooden panels to build walls, roofs and floors. According to Talbot, the environmental impact of CLT is lower than that of many conventional building methods. “Bricks, for instance, need to be fired, which uses a lot of energy. In Europe, CLT is even used to build multi-storey buildings.”

TOP GREEN RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS BALWIN PROPERTIES are top awardwinners for their environmentally conscious building practices, from the use of ecofriendly appliances to sustainable solarsupplemented electricity. Its Kikuyu and The Whisken developments are some of the first in South Africa to bring more economical and cleaner energy to residents through the introduction of solar energy. CEO Steve Brookes says it is a concept they are looking to roll out in future developments. STEYN CITY in Midrand has used energysaving resources in all its buildings from the outset, and thousands of indigenous trees were planted across the sprawling estate. Steyn City’s 3 000 m2 clubhouse with its grass roofs and thriving plant life has minimal environmental impact. By involving the local Diepsloot and Cosmo City communities in the construction of the clubhouse, the estate also provided local employment. “These will be among the first Edge-certified projects to include solar PV technology, offering energysaving benefits to residents and setting an exciting trend in green homes,” says GBCSA managing executive Grahame Cruickshanks. BLOK’s new development in Sea Point, EIGHTONN, harvests rainwater and has a borehole connection and a filtration system, with water running into tanks in the basement of the building. Says MD Jacques van Embden: “This is added to the already efficient glazing, water heating and smart energy products and appliances we always include as fundamentals of a good building and home, ensuring we are working harder to create more sustainable buildings and living habits.”

OPPOSITE Legaro Property Developments’ 78 Corlett Drive office development has a 6-Star Green Star SA rating. RIGHT Blok’s EIGHTONN development in Sea Point is water- and energy-efficient.

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MORE THAN SOLAR

RETROFITTING

Energy efficiency has always been a key driver of the green building sector in South Africa – one that more property developers are now taking to the next level. Solar panels alone no longer suffice. “From an energy-efficiency perspective, we focus on LED lighting, better facade design, double glazing and other efficiency measures,” says Amdec investment manager Antonie Jordaan. The Rabie Property Group accommodates solar panels where possible and installs heat pumps instead of geysers across its projects. “We aim for designs that introduce the maximum amount of natural light to reduce the requirement for artificial lighting,” says Chapman. “This, along with energyefficient glazing, reduces heat gain in summer and heat loss in winter, thereby decreasing a building’s electricity usage and lowering its carbon footprint. “Harvesting energy from the sun and using long-life LEDs reduce the running costs over the long-term life cycle of a development.”

As the number of green developments grows, more homeowners are retrofitting their existing homes. This also applies to developers like Century Property Developments, which constantly re-evaluates its plans from a sustainability point of view. “We have built a solar plant at our Carlswald and Crowthorne luxury apartment complexes in Midrand,” says Hofmeyr. “Both complexes feature new water-management technology that allows us to monitor the quantity of water used. We have installed rainwater-catchment systems, too.” Talbot confirms the popularity of retrofitting, adding that it is not limited to residential projects. “Big funds like Growthpoint are retrofitting their existing spaces with green building technologies and having them rated.”

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ABOVE Steyn City in Midrand features landscaped green belts and parks, green roofs and thousands of trees. BELOW Designed by David Talbot of Platform, this Betty’s Bay house sits lightly on the indigenous forest floor.

The addition of solar power will save residents on their monthly electricity bill Steve Brookes, CEO of Balwin Properties

Balwin Propertiesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; new upmarket residential development Kikuyu in Waterfall makes use of solar energy as aÂ considerable portion of daily electricity usage.

REAL design

A MAN OF MANY TALENTS We chat to Henry Abosi, associate director at dhk Architects, lecturer, writer and founder of BeFront magazine, about the things that matter to him

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back chat

WHAT IS YOUR DEFINITION OF HOME? It’s wherever I can gather more than two of my five siblings at the same time. Which could be anywhere on three continents. WHERE DO YOU LIVE? Well, that’s a tricky one. I’m in New York City right now, was based in London earlier this year, and spent a bit of time in Gaborone. Let’s just say it’s been a crazy 2019; I kind of live everywhere and nowhere. But Cape Town for now. GROWING UP, WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BECOME? Depends on the phase of childhood. For the most part I dreamt of playing in the NBA; I actually had a shot at trying out for a college team but then I broke my ankle. Oh, well! In my late teens I wanted to become whatever it was that Al Pacino’s character was in Glengarry Glen Ross. Honestly, that character shaped my perception of confidence in many ways. WHY DID YOU BECOME AN ARCHITECT? I was spatially creative as a child, rearranging every room in the house and being fascinated by the sun paths in different rooms. However, I chose something different to study and then switched to architecture at the 11th hour, setting off a series of Lemony Snicket events that would culminate in me sitting here writing this today. WHAT IS YOUR OWN FAVOURITE DESIGN AND WHY? If I have to choose, it would have to be the Needle Gallery, a 40 m-long galleria that runs through the cultural precinct envisioned for the redevelopment of the old Christiaan Barnard Hospital in Cape Town. OTHER FORMS OF CREATIVE OUTLETS? Film! The art of filmmaking influences a lot of my creative output. befrontmag.com dhk.co.za reallifemagazine.co.za

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After several years of below par performance, the stage appears to be set for a modest rebound in South Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s national housing market. As price corrections improved the perceived affordability of properties, buyers are gradually returning to the market once more, resulting in an increase in confidence and enquiries and even, especially in high-demand areas and key hubs, shorter times on the market for correctly-priced properties. And now that the dust has settled on the election, it is encouraging to see that the national housing market is starting to show promising signs which augur well for an uptick in activity.

Signs of an emerging turnaround in the South African property market

Certainly, the signs of an emerging turnaround are evident in the Pam Golding Residential Property Index, where we already note continuing indicators of a gradual recovery in the South African housing market, with national house price inflation inching up to 3.8% in June 2019. The Western Cape leads the rebound, at 6.5% in the same month, while KwaZulu-Natal is also experiencing a slight uptick. While any rebound in the national economy and housing market is unlikely to be swift, there is finally a sense that we are at least beginning to move in the right direction. In this edition, we are delighted to showcase homes that inspire, that provide the space for families to gather and for dreams to be realised. Set in enviable locations, these properties exemplify the very best of South Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s residential housing market. Dr Andrew Golding Chief Executive, Pam Golding Property group

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