Nature and nurture

By Jess Binns, Project Consultant Avril Elias, Property Coordinator Catherine de Vincenzo, Photography Chris Allan and Grant Pitcher

In the suburbs of Durban North lies one of the most beautiful eco-friendly new builds in the area. So passionate was this family to “live more gently on this planet” that not one eco-conscious stone was left unturned.

For starters, the house that originally stood on the plot was demolished, and then re-used where possible for the new structure, or given to others to use. This dramatically reduced the amount of rubble that would otherwise have ended up in a landfill.

From the generous-sized master bedroom, you look out onto an indigenous roof garden, abundant with the wildlife that thrives in the natural environment. Not only beautiful to look at, the roof garden acts as a natural coolant to the main living areas, negating the need for air conditioners.

The lush vertical garden that hugs the side of the house, itself visually striking, also fulfils the purpose of controlling indoor temperatures.

The kitchen, made from sustainable bamboo, is supplied by a well-stocked vegetable garden. Resident bees and chickens provide ample amounts of honey and eggs, too. This is self sufficiency at its best.

A system was installed for rainwater harvesting and greywater recycling, as were solar panels, drawing on the natural resources on offer. “I really would like others to understand that being green does not mean you have to compromise,” explains the owner. “Nor does it have to be an expensive process; that’s a complete misconception.”

Architecturally, the home is elegant and refined. Decorative exterior shutters assist with sun control, finished with low-VOC paint in soft earthy tones that meld with the peace and tranquillity of the garden.

The natural pool has been carefully landscaped into the garden – you will find no cleaner pool than here; the reed beds do a perfect job of filtering on their own.Yes, the home has luxurious bathrooms with indoor/outdoor showers, and there are spacious verandhas to accommodate the family’s social life.

A glorious garden surrounds the house, and masses of glass allow the outside in.

There is no compromise in design. The owner adds: “When you walk on our bedroom carpet, you have never felt something so soft; you would never guess that it’s actually made from recycled plastic!”