LIV

ING

NO: 6

Rich aroma.Refined taste.

Find your inspiration

120374

Rich aroma.Refined taste.

Find your inspiration

120374

www.theartistsofafrica.co.za

www.dorado.co.za

LIVING

CONTENTS7 >

12 > Circa on Jellicoe

26 > Steel and nature in perfect harmony

34 > Bring it on – Summer 2010 here we come! SA Fashion Week, Summer Collection

44 > Coffee brand leads the way in Italian household consumption

52 > Transcending trinkets

56 > Highlights from Design Indaba 2010

64 > Success of Decorex Cape Town bodes well for design sector

8 >

LIVING

72 > REcreate: Designing a second life from the old and discarded

81 > Glass wonders from Preciosa

88 > Retile? Why not paint?

90 > The Grand Café & Beach opens in Table Bay

94 > A lifestyle district at the forefront of urban design

102 > Herrondale Wildlife Eco Estate and Waterberry Haven: Making life worth living

116 > Architectural excellence live

17905_BG_Forethought_A4_v1.indd 1 27/05/2010 12:14

MusicDanceDramaDesign

Visual Art

PO BOX 91 LADY GREY 9755 * TEL 051-603 0046 * FAX 051-603 0480PO Box 91 Lady Grey 9755 * TEL 051 603 0046 * Fax 051 603 0480

PUBLISHER >

Cameron Bramley

cameron@designmagazine.co.za

EDITOR >

Jacques Lange

jacquesL@iafrica.com

CONTRIBUTORS >

Veruska De Vita , Bev Hermanson,

Stacey Rowan, Karuna Pillay, Sidhika Sooklal,

Suné Stassen, Anri Theron, Russel Thomson

SALES TEAM >

Francois Fassler and Jeff Malan

PRODUCTION ASSISTANT >

Charl Lamprecht

ADMINISTRATION & ACCOUNTS >

Claudia Madurai & Michelle Swart

CREATIVE DIRECTOR >

Jacques Lange

DESIGN & LAYOUT >

Bluprint Design

Cover image courtesy of The Everard

Read Gallery

PUBLISHED BY >

DESIGN>INFORMATION

Tel: +27(0) 82 882 8124

Fax: +27 (0) 86 678 8448

www.designmagazine.co.za

DESIGN>LIVING is produced by DESIGN>INFORMATION. No material may be reproduced in part or whole without the

express permission of the publisher. No responsibility will be accepted for unsolicited material. The publisher accepts no

liability of whatsoever nature arising out of or in connection with the contents of this publication. The publisher does not

give any warranty as to the completeness or accuracy of its contents. The views and opinions expressed in DESIGN>LIVING

are not necessarily those of the publisher, its endorsers, sponsors or contributors.

© 2010 DESIGN>INFORMATION

CREDITS

LIVING

11 >

CIRCA ON JELLICOE

By Bev Hermanson

It’s a Saturday morning and the residents of

Rosebank, one of Johannesburg’s elite

northern suburbs, are flocking to the art pre-

cinct on the corner of Jellicoe and Jan Smuts

Avenues to enjoy a coffee, browse through

the book store and view the artworks on

display. This is the vision of Mark Read of

the Everard Read Gallery, whose brief to

Pierre Swanepoel of StudioMAS architec-

ture & urban design was to create a multi-

functional space on what once was a narrow

parking lot.

12 >

LIVING

13 >

Top row: The Circa building commands the corner

while the Everard Read Gallery forms a demure

backdrop.

Left: A walkway connects the Circa building with

the fire escape.

14 >

LIVING

15 >

The Everard Read Gallery was started back in 1912 in the

central business district of Johannesburg. In a bid to

escape the crime ridden inner city, the Read family chose

to relocate the gallery to Jellicoe Avenue in Rosebank,

where a domestic residence was converted into a flow-

ing, bright viewing space for various artworks, sketches,

sculptures and artifacts. Then in the 80s, the Reads pur-

chased the property facing Jan Smuts Avenue, across

the road from the gallery. For the next 15 years the land

was utilised as extra parking for the gallery, however,

during this interval, the seed was sown to do something

more meaningful with the site. Mark Read set about

finding an architect that could share his vision and

eventually settled on the award winning practice of

StudioMAS. He briefed Pierre Swanepoel, the senior

partner, to come up with a concept that would become

a dynamic multi-functional building that would com-

plement the existing gallery.

“It was very challenging to conceptualise a building

that would take best advantage of what was essentially

a long narrow utility area. We came up with a triple storey

building that is an elliptical shape, transparent, yet self-

contained,” says architect Pierre Swanepoel. Known as

Circa, which means ‘thereabouts’ or ‘approximately at

that time’, the new building occupies the north western

corner of the Rosebank precinct. It is within walking

distance of the various malls, craft market, banks and

the many hotels and restaurants in the district. With

the building of a Gautrain station in the suburb, it is

expected that this area will become a vibrant node and

an attractive destination for visitors and residents of

Gauteng to visit.

“Mark had initially wanted to extend the gallery across

the street, but as the project unfolded he decided to

leave the existing gallery as it was, merely paving the

road between the two sites to create more of an ‘art

in the street’ atmosphere,” Swanepoel continues.

“The new building is a very theatrical space that has

been split into three levels with a circular staircase

that ascends around the perimeter. It’s a place where

people can meet and interact in a highly inspirational

environment.”The concrete stairs which encircles

the central structure.

The aluminium fins that clad the

exterior of the structure.

16 >

LIVING

www.forestflooring.co.za Tel: 011 466 0701 Fax: 011 466 2919

forestflooringforestflooring

designer f loors & t imber decks

18 >

LIVING

It was extremely difficult to piece the building together

to achieve the elliptical shape, says Swanepoel. Much

of the structure had to be constructed virtually ‘by

hand’ to achieve the uniformity desired. The central

structure is made from concrete, which is encircled by

concrete stairs. To ensure a level of privacy, this was

then clad with aluminium fins that allow natural light

to filter in during the day and artificial light to splash

on to the surrounding pavement area at night. “The

fins resemble the structures used for a Zulu kraal,

shielding the interiors from the bright African sun.”

The structure was conceptualised to become an integral

part of the public spaces with a coffee shop and book

store that will spill out on to the paving. The streetscape

lends itself to the showing of large sculptures and two

large glass sliding doors are the perfect answer to the

need for security, while offering transparency and a feel-

ing of openness to the space.

The ingenuity of the design has given this landmark a

triple storey structure with a top level lounge and deck

that takes in 270 degree views clear across to Northcliff

hill. The lounge, designed by Christine Read, and adjoin-

ing kitchen area is large enough to cater comfortably for

gatherings of 50 or so people and the west facing deck

is perfect for sundowners. The first floor, covering

around 177m2 is a multipurpose exhibition space with

seven movable screens that can be dropped through

the floor to the level below should the need arise for

more exhibition space on the ground floor.

19 >

20 >

LIVING

Named Speke, after John Speke, the pioneer who sought the

source of the Nile, this ground floor space is ideal for dis-

playing treasures of contemporary art and artefacts, all

things passionately collected by Mark and Christine from

Africa and around the world. The top level, known as the

Darwin Room, is linked to a fire escape via a walkway. This

metal structure will eventually be covered by a vertical gar-

den, allowing visitors the experience of descending

through a green world of foliage, should they wish to do so.

The top level lounge,

known as the Darwin

Room, designed by

Christine Read.

The top level deck that

takes in 270 degree

views clear across to

Northcliff Hill.

21 >

Circa’s multipurpose

exhibition space

22 >

LIVING

In addition to displays of artworks and crafts, Circa will be used

for a variety of cultural events that will encourage gallery support-

ers to rethink the definitions of art and other cultural pursuits.

“One can say that Circa is a small building with a big attitude,”

says Swanepoel. “One that is inspired by a new world economy,

where commercial gain is tempered by a concern for urban and

natural environments.” <

“Introducing the Lightweight Solution”

Pre-CastPurpose Made

PavingLintels

Hardware

Tel: +27 12 804 8337, Fax: +27 12 804 5913PO Box 65306, Erasmusrand, 0165

747 Trans Road, Silverton, Pretoria (off Dykor road, turn at Supaquick)www.concretejungleprecast.co.za info@conctretejungleprecast.co.za

Concrete Jungle Pre-Cast is a well established manufacturer and supplier of quality purpose made and standard pre-cast building products.

Allow us to turn your creativity into reality! Don't be confined to the norm as we manufacture

your designs in high quality concrete!

www.cobra.co.za

26 >

LIVING

27 >

Steel and nature in perfect harmonyGone are the days when the use of steel in residential

architecture signified the minimalist industrial aesthetic

favoured by the Modernists and Structural Expressionists

of the 20th century who mainly opted to combine the

material with glass and concrete.

As a construction material, steel has unique properties

that allow architects to achieve innovative and incredible

structural results that few other materials can offer. Yet,

steel is still considered by many as a material that is

more suited for industrial, commercial and civil structures

rather than for residential application because of its sup-

posed ‘clinical’, ‘dominating’ and ‘masculine’ associations.

28 >

“The image of steel as an aesthetic construction material has

lagged somewhat in this country, but there are signs that this is

changing,” says Hennie de Clercq, executive director of the South-

ern African Institute of Steel Construction (SAISC). In recent years

SAISC, in collaboration with other local institutions, has developed

several initiatives to promote steel as an aesthetic building

material. These include a guest speaker programme and the

Steel Awards, which also incorporates a Residential Category,

among others.

In an interview with Engineering News, de Clercq said that recent

Steel Award winners, such as the Gauteng-based Highveldt

House, winner of the Residential Category in 2009, have contrib-

uted significantly to the image of steel in smaller-scale buildings,

while iconic structures, like the Nelson Mandela Bridge in Johan-

nesburg and the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, are evidence

of the effectiveness of steel and the local capacity to design

and build these structures.

Highveldt House project details:

Architect:

Van der Merwe Miszewski

Architects (Pty) Ltd

Structural Engineer:

WSP Structures Africa (Pty)

Ltd

Quantity Surveyor:

Turner & Townsend (Pty)

Ltd

LIVING

29 >

Focusing on smaller structures, the judges of the 2009 Steel

Awards highlighted the Highveldt House as a prime example

of a project that achieved outstanding results in the way in

which the architects incorporated steel as primary construction

element in a residential setting, while also integrating it fully

into a protected, natural and unspoilt environment by combin-

ing it with timber. Highveldt House is set in a typical South

African Highveld landscape, within the Cradle of Humankind,

which enjoys World Heritage Status. Accordingly, say the judges,

the central design task was the integration of the structure into

this unique environment, which was accomplished in out-

standing manner.

The project site is surrounded by a remarkably diverse land-

scape, which includes an oak forest, a white stinkwood forest,

open meadows, poplar groves, a river, a lake, typical Highveld

koppies (hills) and an open, natural veld. The site is slightly

elevated and shallowly carved into one of the koppies, on

Project Manager:

Turner & Townsend (Pty)

Ltd

Main Contractor:

IQNC Imagine Construction

(Pty) Ltd

Steelwork Contractor:

Cosira International SA (Pty)

Ltd

30 >

which stand numerous white stinkwoods around which the

house has been set. The elevation and the positioning of the

building on the site enables spectacular views to distant hills

where the various elements of the diverse landscape seam-

lessly join.

The house is designed as a series of pavilions arranged be-

tween the horizontal planes of the floor and the roof. These

planes are located within a section of the stinkwood forest, on

the edge of an intrusion of veld and are elevated above natural

ground by an ‘apparently randomly measured forest’ of skew

columns – two legs per column – to give the feel of tree trunks.

Shortlisted projects in the Steel Awards – Residential Category

Dune House (left)Architect: Slee & Co Architects Pty LtdStructural Engineer: DMS Structures cc

31 >

LIVING

The columns, in turn, support a grid, about which the planning

and layout of the pavilions and functions are ordered, but

which together form the structure’s skeleton, which consists

entirely of linear steel elements partially clad in different tim-

bers, fixed to concrete bases. While enclosure is transparent,

terraces project into the forest and over the adjacent veld fa-

cilitating the harmonious integration of the structure into its

unique surroundings.

The Steel Award judges were particularly impressed with how

steel was used in this project, saying that despite the many

advantages of steel as a construction material, it has not been

Toulon House, Sabi Sabi (right)Architect: Nicholas Plewman ArchitectsStructural Engineer: Victor Booth

32 >

extensively used in the South African residential sector as a

prominent construction element.

They added that in this country, steel is not popularly perceived

to be easily conducive to a ‘warm, relaxed home atmosphere’

while many are also doubtful of its aesthetic qualities in a res-

idential setting.

This project debunks these notions most emphatically. High-

veldt House demonstrates clearly how warmth can be created

with steel. Here, the juxtaposition of steel columns and rafters,

clad in timber, framed in glass and successfully integrated into

its environment, have created a warm and homely atmosphere

par excellence.

The judges were, overall, in awe of this project. “Over the last

few years our judging team has had the opportunity to visit

and assess some stunning houses and most cannot compare

to Highveldt House, which is not only aesthetically magnificent

Shortlisted projects in the Steel Awards – Residential Category

Beach house, Rooi Els (left0Architect: Slee & Co Architects (Pty) LtdProject Architect: Guillaume PienaarStructural Engineer: Cegela Consultants

33 >

LIVING

but is also an example of exceptional attention to detail and con-

struction quality.

The judges listed the elements that stood out for them: double

sloping columns at each column position; steel I-beams with

webs in-filled with timber to give a feeling of warmth; of the

same design were the internal columns, which were so carefully

planned they did not interfere in any way with the living spaces;

perfectly proportioned cap plates to support the single rafter

beams with timber in-filled webs; the hand railing, balustrades,

steel stairs and framing of the enormous glass walls all contribute

to the enormously high standard of finishing.

“This project could pave the way for showing the ‘steel objectors’

that steel can easily be part of an excellent solution, in a vari-

ety of settings, including sensitive public spaces, in the con-

struction of warm, beautiful homes,” concluded the judges.

This article was adapted from a feature published in Steel

Construction, Vol. 33 No. 6. <

Ukhuni Lodge, Mziki (right)Reserve, ZululandArchitect: Joy Brasler ArchitectStructural Engineer: Linda Ness Associates cc

34 >

By Karuna Pillay

Top: Darkie. Above: Mantsho.Nabeela

Top: Colleen Eitzen. Middle: Ephymol. Above: DM Classics.Soda

LIVING

35 >

A nation of outdoor lovers gasped a sigh of relief as the on again,

off again, yes it’s happening, SA Fashion Week Summer 2010

show finally took root. Not only did the loss of the previous chief

sponsor present many hurdles in staging the SA Fashion Week,

but, understandably, this year’s Summer showing did not live up

to its predecessors. The ‘x factors’ so to speak, were missing.

The one saving grace, for me, was the new format adopted this

year, where buyers and the media got an opportunity to inter-

act with the designers and examine the garments up close. This

endeavour proved to be the highlight of many seasoned Fash-

ion Week attendees.

The one thing on everyone’s lips was: ‘So what’s new?’ The ex-

pectation was greater then the delivery this year, this being the

time of the Soccer World Cup where the world’s eyes focus on

South Africa. We should have seen local designers pull out all

the stops, showing collections that made one gasp with sur-

prise, admiration and pride to be part of the SA fashion industry.

But, it’s not all negative as the collections that were shown were

good ... Although, they were just good … nothing outstanding,

nothing brilliant and nothing we have not yet seen before. Yes,

fashions and fads come and go and with a year gone by here

was a chance to make things special and to stand out from the

rest of the crowd.

Let’s look at what SA Fashion Week’s Summer collections indi-

cated as what would be fashionable this year after an exception-

ally cold Winter and post-World Cup.

TRENDS OBSERVEDSome trends for Summer 2010 include the layering of light-

weight fabrics to give the illusion of water cascading off the

body and a mix of sheer and heavy weight fabrics to show off a

style choice. Men be prepared for the unveiling of the ‘reach for

the heavens’ legs - smooth, glowing legs uncovered by shorts.

The ‘reach for the heaven’ legs, paired with ladies shorts are

making a big appearance together, not forgetting long pants for

both casual and evening wear.

The men’s wear selection did not disappoint as they showed

both casual and immaculately tailored suits, shirts, shorts

and underwear.

Top: Darkie. Above: Mantsho.

Top: Colleen Eitzen. Middle: Ephymol. Above: DM Classics.

36 >

AMANDA LAIRD CHERRY(in partnership with DAC, worked with crafters

from Gauteng)

An overwhelming fresh breeze of light, sheer

fabrics created a sense of ease and comfort.

The use of fabrics lent itself to the fluidity in

the design of fresh, simple, ready-to-wear

garments. Her colour palette of pale blues,

white, creams and khaki added to the almost

cloud-9 relaxed look. This collection is sure

to be a hit with the trendy earthy natural

women.

GUILLOTINE

Guillotine showed us the simple beauty of

black and white. The collection started with

the entrance of models with glow sticks and

a lamp shade. The black and white showed

off the garments design, the fabrics unique

textures, with vinyl and leather being thrown

into the mix. Again, layering played a huge

part of this collection.

LIVING

37 >

NIGHT SHOWS – DAY ONE

SUPERELLA

‘Bring the big top’ to SA Fashion Week was a sure hit

with all the attendees. This collection was funky,

quirky and, let’s just say, for the young at heart. A

clown walking down the runway with a bunch of

gold/yellow balloons certainly said this was not

going to be an ordinary collection – it was going to

be fun, fun, fun. Dresses, skirts and pants, both

long and short, matched with loose flowing tops

made of geometric shapes. All very comfortable

and funky. As to how many people will be seen in

it, is another question.

38 >

TWO

‘Keep it simple’ is the best description for this col-

lection. The fabrics were comfortable and stretchy,

allowing the body to form curves that would in-

dicate a unique cut to each garment, therefore

unique garment to each model. The colours of the

collection brought out the contrasts between

beige and cream, a dark secret-bearing grey and

a light baby pink. This is a comfortable collection

that many will be seen in. Hold your breath,

count to 10 and be overcome by calmness – this

is what this collection is going to give you.

RJKAY CREATIONS

The dot is used in every culture around the globe

to symbolise the life energy given off by the sun. In

saying that, this collection had a life of its own.

An inspired mix of solids and patterns, in the form

of skirts dresses and pants, all showed immacu-

late tailoring. The use of blue, my favourite co-

lour, next to black was indeed eye opening,

bright, fun and spoke of a summer lost in the

deep blue relaxed ocean.

LIVING

39 >

NIGHT SHOWS – DAY TWO

CHIMERA

The clothing presented in the collection was

loose and comfortable, with the designer

using belts to emphasise the waist and

shape of the garments. She even showed us

that it is okay to wear more then one best

item at a time. Jackets, waistcoats, dresses,

skirts, pants and even hoodies made an ap-

pearance, showing us that fashion is what

you make of it.

40 >

KAREN MONK KLIJNSTRA

A feel good summer of fun is what this

collection portrays. It has a certain rain-

bow nation feel where colours, cultures

and expressions are rolled into one,

making a unique garment that not only

appeals to locals but people all over

the world. As the saying goes “lekker

awesome”.

LOXION KULCA BY OLÉ LEDIMO

If you have ever wanted to see men’s fashion take

centre stage, this was the time. Loxion Kulca pre-

sented a challenging, yet confident, collection

that told every man it’s never too late to bring your

African roots to life. This range had attitude, and

its casual appearance embodied the funky hip

street-smart attitude of today.

LIVING

41 >

NIGHT SHOWS – DAY TWO

GUGULAM

A sexy earthy soulful collection greeted the audience.

The full range of women’s wear ranged from flowing

dresses to the, oh so hot, figure-hugging shirts, to

pants matched with tailored blouses. This collec-

tion brought back the days gone by of an older

styled collection, yet it still had major appeal to

today’s fashion conscience women.

42 >

SYLVESTER FALATA

This was a fitting conclusion to SA

Fashion Week. The designer, a first

timer, was bold and exciting, making

use of colours never used in men’s

fashion before. The candy/pastel co-

lours certainly gave the collection an

edge and appeal for those hot sum-

mer days. The use of one-piece jump

suits, that were knee length, was in-

spiring and the safari styled opening

creation,was, for me, the best I have

seen in years. The use of lightweight

fabrics namely raw silk gave the

clothes an easy feel on the skin, yet

never lost its masculine look. All in all,

a job well done.

Images courtesy of SAFW. Photographs by Ivan Naude,

Clarisse Pieterson and SDR Photo. <

LIVING

43 >

NIGHT SHOWS – DAY TWO

44 >

Cover of the 2010 Lavazzo calendar by Miles Aldridge. Model: Lydia Hearst.

44 >

Coffee is coffee is coffee. Yeah, right. Most

South African coffee drinkers will know the

difference between their favoured brand ver-

sus another, and the milk and two sugars

won’t mask any inconsistencies. In Italy

where the art of roasting and blending was

perfected, the scenario is even more appar-

ent. But what sets one coffee brand apart

from the others? Flavour and roast alone

won’t get consumers to reach for it amongst

the crowdedness of the coffee aisle, nor will

the pull of caffeine. So what does?

Historically, many suppliers got onto the coffee band-

wagon either as roasters or vendors; coffee became

popular in the United States after tea drinking became

politically incorrect. Coffee is drunk the world over. In

Africa coffee preparation is a daily ceremony; tea and

the Taj Mahal aren’t the only things big in India and

LIVING

45 >

By Veruska De Vita

the Nepalese drink coffee like it’s water. The same goes for the

Italians. Cue Francesca Lavazza Corporate Image Director of

Lavazza. She comes from a line of coffee marketers and

knows that to make her brand stand out she has to keep it

firmly entrenched in the lifestyle and habits of her target mar-

ket. Since 1993, Lavazza has produced an annual collector’s

calendar as part of the company’s worldwide marketing cam-

paign. “This year’s calendar is all about music, Italian music,”

says Francesca. Just making good coffee is not enough any-

more, it’s about turning a brand into a lifestyle, one that con-

sumers cannot live without. The annual launch of the Lavazza

calendar is a glittering and pricey affair, one that is well worth

the budget. The 2010 calendar, which was launched in Octo-

ber 2009, has music at its epicentre, with a splattering of film,

finesse, fashion and irony.

“Like coffee, music inspires, it ignites creativity and this is

what we wanted to bring across. Each picture in the calendar

tells a story with a sense of humour and a sense of time, an

indication that something happened before and will happen

after, there is continuity. There is also a sense of irony, like the

image has two souls, two interpretations” says Francesca.

The Lavazza marketing committee chose Miles Aldridge, an

English photographer, to capture the images. “We liked Miles’

style, his innate sense of aesthetic, his appreciation of all that

is Italian. We shot the calendar in Italy in a film studio, spe-

cifically because we have a history of motion pictures and we

wanted to capture this also,” says Francesca.

The calendar launch was set in Torino, a city in the north of

Italy known as the capital of coffee, and journalists from all

over the world were invited to attend.

46 >

LIVING

Nessun Dorma from

Puccini’s Turandot. Model: Georgia Frost.

Con Te Partirò (With you I will leave/Time to say goodbye).Model:

Daisy Lowe.

47 >

Guarda Che Luna (Look, what a beautiful moon).

Model: Alexandra

Tomlinson.

‘O Sole Mio (Oh, my sun). Model: Bianca Balti.

48 >

“We wanted to include the city, the coffee bars, the history,

the vibe and then launch into the rest of Italy, and then world-

wide. The marketing campaign in Italy is different to the vari-

ous campaigns we apply in the rest of the world. The cam-

paign in Italy called Campagna Paradiso was launched in 1993

and has made Lavazza the preferred coffee brand in Italian

households,” says Francesca.

The day after the 2010 calendar was launched, every bar in

Torino, where Lavazza is served, had a Lavazza hostess stand-

ing at the door, clad in slinky black, handing out postcards of

the calendar images. Around her neck and on her wrists, cos-

tume jewellery – tiny espresso cups and saucers and minia-

ture teaspoons – the attention to detail noteworthy. The host-

ess also handed out cellphone accessories to patrons, so that

they too could have dangling miniatures of cups, saucers and

spoons.

On the sides of the buildings, giant posters of pictures from

the previous calendar were replaced with the new ones, over-

night. These posters were placed strategically in piazzas, with

high foot traffic, and outside the Lavazza Headquarters.

“Lavazza started in Torino so for this reason also we thought

it apt to have the launch in the city. Lavazza started as a gro-

cery store in 1895 in the historic district. The shop specialised

in roasting and selling coffee. What set it aside is that it was

the first company to vacuum pack ground coffee. This helped

the brand win over Italian consumers, as you can imagine,”

says Francesca.

It was during the 60s that Lavazza started its communication

and TV campaigns using well-known actors as brand ambassa-

dors. One of the actors, Nino Manfredi, would utter the slogan

49 >

LIVING

“Lavazza Coffee: the more of it you down, the more it picks you

up” which would prove to be unforgettable in the mind of the

Italian consumer.

“In the eighties we expanded into other European markets,

opening subsidiaries in France, Germany, Austria and the UK. We

also opened in the United States. Then in Spain and Portugal. We

entered two emerging markets a few years ago – Brazil and In-

dia,” says Francesca.

With the expansion into other territories, a larger advertising and

marketing campaign was necessary and so in 2002 the first La-

vazza calendar in colour was launched. “We decided from the

start to collaborate with well-known photographers. To date,

we’ve worked with the likes of David LaChapelle, Jean-Baptiste

Mondino, Ellen Von Unwerth, Finlay MacKay, Annie Leibovitz and

Miles Aldridge,” says Francesca.

Other Italian brands doing the calendar rounds are Campari and

Pirelli, with Pirelli, a tyre brand, bringing the sexy back to the

months of the year. Amongst these brands the calendar has be-

come art, or rather, collectible art. What better way of keeping a

brand top of mind than with a calendar that hangs behind the

kitchen door or in the office, a point of reference that is also an

object of beauty.

“Lavazza is spirited. If the brand were a person, she would enjoy

the irony of life and have a positive outlook. She’d be someone

who wouldn’t take herself too seriously, that’s the kind of hu-

mour she’d have,” says Francesca. <

50 >

Baciami Piccina

(Kiss me, little one).

Model: Lydia Hearst.

Va’ Pensiero (Thought

goes, aka Chorus of the

Hebrew slaves) from

Verdi’s Nabucco.

Model: Alek Alexeyeva.

LIVING

51 >

52 >

Top row (left to right): Heart; Steel flowers; Snow pet; Snow pet and Steel flowers.Second row (left to right): Bird of prey; Growable cog; Lily family; Lily family and Time Immemorial.Third row (left to right): Takbok; Takbok and Heart.

53 >

LIVING

Transcending Trinkets

By Sidhika Sooklal

54 >

During the last few decades, communication de-

sign has become a field wherein designers have

started to cross-pollinate and transcend into other

design fields in order to stay ahead of the rest.

This transition has produced a hybrid breed of

new designers who are readily able to morph with

the dexterity of a chameleon and produce innova-

tive work and new product ranges. Elske Nel is a

prime example of this transition. At the tender age

of 23, she has already received industry accolades

that would make designers twice her age envious.

Holding a degree in Information Design, Nel’s most

recent achievement, Trinket, launched in 2009,

has proved to be an instant success.

Nel, who has always enjoyed making things with

her hands, fondly reminisces over her university

sense of enjoyment that it brought her. During one

such project, Nel produced a range of brooches,

which she aptly named ‘Trinket’. The idea lay dor-

mant for a year, until Nel resigned from her job in

advertising to pursue her freelance ambitions.

Nel started manufacturing Trinket products in July

2009. The range of designer brooches is made of

a combination of steel, Perspex and wood and. Nel

has paid special attention to every hand-crafted

brooch by giving each a unique name such as Ysbeer,

Hymns for a small bird, Snow Pet and Night Owl.

The collection includes animals, flowers, fruit, clocks

and crowns. Nel explains that the world around

her, music and good design all serve her as sources

of inspiration. Indicatively the latest addition to

Trinket is a collection of rockets that came about

as she was listening to the new Goldfrapp album,

Head First.

Trinket is stocked throughout South Africa at ex-

clusive boutique stores as well as South African

singer, songwriter and entertainer, Nataniël’s

Kaalkop Studio stores. However, Nel’s ambitions

have not ceased there. She works as a freelance

communication designer and has also branched out

into wallpaper design and is currently in the pro-

cess of producing packaging for Kaalkop Studio.

The rapid success of Trinket has seen it being ex-

hibited at Design Indaba 2010 as well as the upcoming

African Fashion Week (30 June – 3 July 2010). Nel’s

aspirations for Trinket have grown as well, and in June,

she will be travelling to England and France to meet

with prospective stores that have shown interest

in the Trinket range. <

LIVING

55 >

Top row (left to right): King of hearts; Growable cog and Tassel & spikelet.

Second row (left to right): Oh Dear; Oh Dear; Bunny rosette and Bunny rosette.

Third row (left to right): Hymns of a small bird; Ysbeer and Ysbeer.

All images courtesy of Elske Nel.

HIG

HLI

GH

TS F

ROM

56 >

A highlight of the South African design industry calendar is

surely the annual Design Indaba Conference and Expo. Design

Indaba has grown in stature to become a highly-regarded

event on the world design stage, from humble beginnings

in 1995 to a jam-packed conference and expo that exposes

design trends, design thinking, design the profession, design

contributions to mankind’s development, and not to forget,

design education. As the Design Indaba institution has

grown, it has taken a leadership position in South Africa and

has driven advocacy programmes to promote the creative

industries among business, government, academia and civil

society.

Running from 24 to 26 February 2010 at the Cape Town Inter-

national Convention Centre, over 40 speakers addressed

more than 2 400 delegates over three days. The main plenary

sold out for the sixth year running. This year also saw the

introduction of a new registration option, which allowed

professionals and the design curious to also benefit from

the Young Designer’s Simulcast. The simulcast, which was

also sold out, offered additional delegates a live feed to

the auditorium to view proceedings at a cheaper rate and

benefiting from the pearls of wisdom and insights shared

by the lineup of speakers, that ranged from design super-

stars to the rising stars.

Conference topics ranged from puppetry to social solutions,

from traditional design disciplines to radically new design

genres, turning the Design Indaba into an elixir of creativity

and innovation. Adding a curveball to the mix, Design Indaba

introduced a ‘mystery speaker’, genomic researcher, Dr J.

Craig Venter, who spoke about the possibilities of designing

life via a live satellite link to La Jolla in the USA.

57 >

LIVING

Adding some additional spice, the Friday morning’s

lineup of power-women included uber trend fore-

caster, Li Edelkoort, who spoke about the redefini-

tion of families and radically concluded with a future

vision of the bordello. Following her were Han Feng

and Christien Meindertsma, and then, blockbuster

homemaker, Martha Stewart. Stewart’s presentation

goes down as the most talked-about session at De-

sign Indaba in the 15 years of its existence, when

large numbers of delegates mockingly walked out in

defiance of her gross display of self-promotion and

insular points of view.

The conference was overall a huge success and was

enlightening to many seasoned and new design pro-

fessionals, as well as avid followers of design.

The Design Indaba Expo opened with much pomp

and pageantry on the third evening. The Expo fea-

tured more than 280 exhibitors, including 80 first-

time exhibitors and 40 emerging creatives. The core

Design Indaba Expo show drew well over 35 000

visitors, including 379 journalists and 427 buyers –

one third of which were international.

DESIGN>LIVING selected its top-five exhibits at the

2010 Design Indaba Expo based on innovative design

thinking, clever use of materials and application of

design principles that go beyond the obvious. These

five featured exhibits represent the ethos of what

many Design Indaba speakers alluded to as innova-

tive approaches that elevate the common and cur-

rent perception of design beyond mere aesthetics.

RAW Studios: KLiK furniture

The KLiK system grew naturally from an office furni-

ture design that RAW Studio did for the Tribeca Cof-

fee Company. At its root is a large slotted panel in

grid formation. Into this panel, the user can slot an

58 >

Views of the Tribeca Coffee

Company’s offices using the KLiK

furniture system. Images

courtesy of RAW Studio.

59 >

LIVING

Construction of the Cibitoke

School, Burundi, using the

EarthBag Construction System.

60 >

array of modular elements such as shelving, work-

tops, cupboards, drawers and storage boxes. The

panels are fixed and spaced from the wall so that the

plywood clipping system can do its work. KLiK af-

fords the opportunity to fit offices or homes in a

unique, yet modular, way which can be modified as

requirements change.

EarthBag Construction System

The EarthBag Construction System blends the an-

cient technique of building with earth and modern

materials, combining the benefits of both. The com-

bination resulted in a custom-designed and patented

polypropylene bag, developed and manufactured in

Cape Town.

The system allows for the bags to be filled by almost

any earth fill material to construct sustainable build-

ings with multiple dimensions. The benefits of Earth-

Bag include using local labour and materials, recy-

clable by-products and reducing the carbon footprint

by 70%, compared with standard materials. The

EarthBag building system reduces the use of timber

and water and provides exceptional thermal insula-

tion while also damping acoustics. Further benefits

include its structural durability, termite and corrosion

proofing, and non-toxic and fire resistant properties.

The final factors that make this a superior designed

product worthy of mention is that it is inexpensive,

that it allows for free-flowing design applications,

that it is user-friendly, and that it is easy to build.

UMCEBO Trust

Umcebo is an isiZulu word meaning ‘treasure’. The

Umcebo Trust, established by Robin Opperman, was

born out of his work as a special needs art teacher.

Examples of Umcebo Trust’s

range of beautifully beaded

chandeliers and décor items.

61 >

LIVING

Umcebo has a primary goal of empowering young

crafters, particularly people with special needs and

other community members to use and develop their

artistic talents as a means of personal and creative

development, as well as to generate income. Umcebo

believes that personal empowerment and improved

self-awareness is brought about through art, craft,

creativity, exposure to business, learning and teach-

ing. Umcebo takes this philosophy further and offers

it more broadly, through its dynamic workspace and

retail outlet at uShaka Marine World, Durban. Here,

individuals and organisations throughout the region

collaborate in the development of unique arts, crafts

and other projects.

On show at the 2010 Design Indaba stand was Um-

cebo’s signature range of beautifully beaded chande-

liers inspired by nature and its bright unique colour-

ful sparkle. What caught our eye, as visitors walking

into the expo, was the Eco-Tree, a 6m-high structure,

clad in recycled material – plastic bottle caps, beads

made from plastic bottles and corks.

Fundi Light and Living

Fundi Light & Living is passionate about designing

and manufacturing high-quality lighting and décor

products with a unique South African aesthetic. Its

product range and manufacturing capabilities are

diverse because it strives for constant innovation.

Products include lamp shades, wooden and metal

lamp bases, pendant fittings, woven products, tex-

tiles, cushions, runners, wall art and more. Their

work ranges from one-off sculptural pieces to high-

volume production. A selection of Fundi Light

and Living’s lamp shades

and lamp bases.

62 >

While we resisted featuring design for design’s sake,

we cannot ignore the 2010 Design Indaba Most

Beautiful Object in South Africa initiative.

Most beautiful object in SA

An award scheme where everybody has the opportu-

nity to vote for their personal favourite is priceless.

“So what is beautiful to you? The simplistic, minimal-

ist and definable or the unexplainable, the breath

taking and indescribable?” asks the Design Indaba

website. The finalist included the W-Table by Frank

Bohm, Polyhedra Modular Coffee Table System by

Haldane Martin, Twi-light Table Lamp by Snapp De-

sign, Fibre in Motion by ALPACAFelt, Emotive Series:

Love Table by 1010 Creative, Luhle! by Khumbulani

Craft, Flow Ring by Emma Anne Jewellery, Hand-

spring Puppet Company by David Krut Publishing,

Ostrich Barstool by Tsai Design Studio, The Tulip by

Urban Africa and Wooden Chandelier by David

Krynauw.

But there can only be one. Votes were cast via SMS

and South Africa has chosen what is beautiful to

them. The Design Indaba Most Beautiful Object in

South Africa 2010 is Anatomy Design’s Lab Light.

Anatomy Design describes their product as: “Created

out of a fascination with utilitarian equipment, the Lab

Light exists on the borders of engineering and design,

using the functionality of laboratory equipment and

harnessing the beauty within it. Constructed out of

black steel and solid spun brass, this object portrays

functional aesthetic with a touch of nostalgia.” <

LIVING

63 >

The Lab Light by

Anatomy Design,

winner of the 2010

Design Indaba Most

Beautiful Object in

South Africa.

64 >

LIVING

65 >

66 >

Patriotic fabrics, wind pumps on scatter cush-

ions, bathrobes of bamboo, bedding from corn

husks, birds everywhere and contemporary

cuckoo clocks had home interiors flying high at

Decorex Cape Town 2010.

With 35 220 visitors flocking through its doors

– 10% more than in 2009 – Decorex Cape Town

confirmed that the Western Cape’s decor and

design industry is alive and well.

This performance is a hat-trick for Decorex SA,

being the third Decorex exhibition in a row to

show an increase in visitor numbers, despite

the flattened economy. (Decorex Joburg showed

25% growth on the previous year, while visitor

numbers for Decorex Durban increased by 7%).

Sponsored by Plascon, with DStv as media

partner, Decorex Cape Town celebrated its 12th

exhibition at the Cape Town International Con-

vention Centre from 23 to 27 April with the

show theme ‘Breath of Fresh Air’, living up to its

promise. More than 340 local and international

exhibitors, including 69 first-time exhibitors,

showcased their products and services.

Says Melanie Robinson, director Decorex SA:

“Visitors expected something special, cost-

saving and trend-driven, which our exhibitors

delivered in true form. We were optimistic from

the onset that the exhibition will contribute to

the region’s decor industry – from design and

manufacturing to retail – and the positive feed-

back from exhibitors confirmed that there are

marked signs of economic improvement.”

Robinson mentions that it is noticeable that

consumers retain their shopping habits ac-

quired during the economic downswing:

“There’s less impulse buying as consumers are

much more discerning and tend to shop around

before making the final purchasing decision.

Having so many options under one roof made

Luxurious finishes.

LIVING

67 >

Decorex Cape Town the ideal spot for compara-

tive shopping, ranging from high-ticket items

and investment purchases to small appliances

and affordable decor items.”

Cairey Slater, general manager exhibitions,

cites the show’s continuous reinvention as one

of the main reasons for Decorex Cape Town’s

success.” It is key to stay on top of local and

international industry trends and interpret

these new directions in a novel, yet accessible,

manner for trade and consumer visitors alike.

Special projects and fresh initiatives such as

the ‘MAKE Theatre’ dedicated to home improve-

ment; the ‘Home Tweet Home’ design challenge

aimed at charity, as well as the industry confer-

ence ‘Conversations on Architecture’ reflecting

on the built environment, added to the allure of

the exhibition. Building strong business part-

nerships with sponsors and exhibitors are also

vital to our success.”

TRENDSAlthough the pace of new trends introduced to

the design arena shows signs of slowing down,

innovation and new product lines are vital to

keeping consumers interested and satisfying

their search for the novel and the fresh.

AFRICA THE CREATIVE HUB The new design direction on everybody’s lips is

the way the African continent has become a

major source of inspiration for the design

world. The African influence was most evident

in the Plascon 2010 Colour Forecast stand.

Using the Plascon 2010 Colour Forecast as her

design inspiration, Yolande Wieners from d² Interiors in Durban created a stand to match

these colour trends. Expressing the 32 new

Stylish bedrooms to help relax and refresh.

Africa on display with Plascon’s colour forecast.

68 >

colours in the four diverse palettes through

different textures, moods and hues, the stand

reflected Plascon’s eco-consciousness and cur-

rent philosophy about recycling and re-using.

The stand conveyed its message so effectively

that Wieners won an excellence award for her

interpretation of this new love affair with all

things African.

According to Anne Roselt, Plascon colour man-

ager and colour forecaster, one of the reasons

for the global interest in Africa include South

Africa’s selection as host nation for the 2010

FIFA World Cup.

The public response on the 2010 African Fine

Art’s Stadium Collection also pointed towards

the immense interest and pride in new South

African icons. The Stadium collection consists of

a series of iconic fine art photographic images

of the 2010 FIFA World Cup stadiums in South

Africa’s Host Cities, captured through the lens

of local fine art photographer Dennis Guichard.

PATRIOTIC DESIGN

Local designers find inspiration on their own

doorstep. Natural materials flourish and prod-

ucts are woven, plaited knitted and whittled

from fibres ranging from wood, raffia, cork,

rattan, leather and feathers. Recycled materi-

als, ranging from plastics to porcelain, shells

and cardboard, to rusted and corroded surfaces

have an undeniably South African feel.

African cotton prints, naïve black and white pat-

terns, folklore and traditional and spiritual

motifs are used in earthy colours brightened up

with yellows, blue and greens. Detailed embroi-

dery and beadwork, seen on handmade craft-

inspired objects, also find their way to sophis-

ticated upmarket fabrics and finishes.

Bring fresh spaces to life.

69 >

LIVING

As a motif, the Protea is still very popular and

can be seen in fabric prints as well as wall tat-

toos and vinyl stickers to adorn fridges and

other kitchen appliances. Fast becoming the ‘it’

symbol of the year is the wind pump. This iconic

image of the Karoo landscape finds its way to

scatter cushions in tints of fashionable grey and

muted browns. Consumers are also investing

in home-grown craft aimed at upliftment and

job creation.

Brisk sales and trade interest at the stand of

the DTI’s South African Handmade Collection

Pavilion, as well as the CCDI’s craft shop, indi-

cate that the excesses and style-first approach

of the past have been replaced by the era of

emotion-in-design. “What people want now is

to make emotional connections – to be sur-

rounded by things that mean something. More

than ever we want to be comforted by beauty,

quality, great craftsmanship and eco-conscious

design,” says Robinson.

GOING, GOING GREEN

Green buzz words abound – from salvage chic,

to re-use, retrieve and re-process. The greening

of the exhibition was a major draw card, tap-

ping in on the immense consumer need for

guidance towards more conscious living. New

attractions such as the Pick n Pay Living Green

Pavilion with its eco-caring house supplied by

Greenstuff.co.za set a new benchmark in green-

minded product displays. It focused on sustain-

ability, mindful green living and eco-solutions,

illustrating that green living can be both beauti-

ful and affordable. Pick n Pay’s Fresh Living

kitchen also proved to be hugely popular, con-

firming that culinary cocooning is the stay-at-

home-for trend of the moment.

Decorex Cape Town sponsored the planting of 55

trees to help offset its carbon footprint, which

A sense of texture and life.

Engaging spaces to interact with.

70 >

is part of its drive at making the show a zero

waste event – from reducing and recycling, pack-

aging and re-use of materials such as banners to

eco-friendly printing and green breathing spac-

es throughout the exhibition. This process also

entails the types of show lighting used; the au-

tomatic switching off of lights outside show

hours; using recyclable material for stands,

and educating exhibitors on waste prevention.

MADE IT MYSELFDIY is clearly no longer the poor cousin of the

decor world. The mantra ‘made by my own

hands’ elevated its status in design circles, es-

pecially contemporary designs with a modern

sensibility. This renewed interest in DIY sprout-

ed a variety of activities to hone visitors’ cre-

ative talents and DIY-know-how. Experts at the

Make Theatre, hosted by Aidan Bennetts, en-

ticed visitors to tackle home makeovers on a

shoe string budget and tackle do-it-yourself-

decor with confidence. The topics, ranging from

modern mosaic work, to easy-to-do wall tat-

toos and contemporary paint techniques, re-

flected the upsurge in edgy DIY.

THINGS WITH WINGSAll things avian rule the roost as one of the

year’s hottest trends from puffins and peacocks

on tea towels, to weaver birds on wall paper

and antique birdcages housing delicate pot

plants. This winged trend also inspired the cre-

ative Home Tweet Home fundraiser. For this do-

good design challenge Decorex SA put out a

bird call to decorators, fabric houses and decor

magazines, in support of Little Angels, whose

aim it is to provide a place of safety for babies

and children.

Taking part were well-known personalities from

the Cape’s interior design scene including John

Salome Gunter’s winning decor stand.

Modern Kitchens to inspire.

LIVING

71 >

Autard of Autard de Bragard Design & Decora-

tion; David Strauss of David Strauss Interiors;

Esther Schumacher of mywalltattoos.com,

Katie Thompson of REcreate; Maarten Peutz of

Professional Home Services, Condé Nast House & Garden, Elle Decoration and VISI.

Birds’ natural nest-building artistry got the

creative juices flowing. Using off-cuts from

the studio floor or recyclable material from the

bin, the designs also tread as light as a feather

on Mother Earth.

A birdhouse parading as a golf cart, designed

by John Autard, was chosen as the winning en-

try by judges John Sofio – Los Angeles based

architect – and designer, Aidan Bennetts. Au-

tard’s blend of sharp design with humour and

fantasy was a step outside the box. Covered in

faux-grass to resemble a mini golf course, the

bird house came equipped with wheels, while

a handle (made from a recycled golf club) could

also be used as a perch for the ‘birdie’ to rest on.

First runner-up Katie Thompson from REcreate

used dustbin finds such as discarded crockery

and cutlery to turn the blank birdhouse into an

orchestral masterpiece. Thompson’s philoso-

phy is repurposing items in the home to create

renewed interest and a new talking point.

Taking third place, the team at Elle Decoration opted for an ultra modern birdhouse design

featuring black line drawings on a crisp white

background. The key words are young, contem-

porary, urban and graphic. “We love the bird

theme and find our inspiration in the bower

bird – the male goes out and collects things like

buttons and pink ribbons to attract a female”.

The Home Tweet Home initiative raised R15 000

for Little Angels. Decorex Joburg will be held

from 5 – 9 August 2010 at Gallagher Convention

Centre, Midrand. <

Birdhouse by Elle Decoration.

72 >

LIVING

73 >

REcreate: Designing a second life from the old and discardedKatie Thompson is a South African designer with a special passion: She loves

designing original and collectable furniture, lighting and interior accessories

by repurposing objects that others might consider junk. For Katie, found old

objects like milk and booze bottles, oil containers, typewriters, suitcases,

medical trolleys, scales and baking trays are pure inspiration. With these she

creates contemporary décor pieces that ooze character and tell stories of the

past and the current.

74 >

Here enters REcreate, the company that Katie

Thompson founded in 2009 as a means to channel

her passion for retro materials and repurposing

those to create contemporary applications for high-

end décor and interior design. Under the REcreate

label, Katie has transformed the ordinary to the ex-

traordinary and converting junk into desirable col-

lectables, tapping into her past experiences work-

ing in the interior, furniture and fabric industries in

London and Cape Town for several years.

Katie never works within established stylistic

boundaries. She creates an eclectic combination of

styles, materials and finishes. This approach and

design sensibility highlights her passion and her

ability to find the beauty and hidden purposes in

old and discarded items. A hoarder of all things

useless, impractical, broken, colourful and shiny,

Katie’s eclectic product collection tells tales of her

Surrealist and Dadaist passions.

Describing her design philosophy, Katie says: “Not

throw anything away and creating new functions or

use is my core philosophy. I love junk! The more in-

valuable something is to someone else, the more

valuable it is to me. It is amongst these found, raw

items that I find inspiration and each found object

dictates what purpose the new product should

have. A found old Hoover tells me that it wants to

be a standing lamp. An old scale simply, but quite

obviously, wants to be a new clock. I listen intently

to what the source materials ask me to do with

them and then respond with a design solution.”

LIVING

75 >

76 >

“Dadaism and Surrealism have been major influ-

ences on my work. I studied Art and Art History at

school and remember being quite disinterested

most of the time until the day we learnt about the

‘absurdities’ of Surrealism and Dadaism. These

movements continue to influence much of my cur-

rent work in profound manner. The most influential

artist I have come across is Marcel Duchamp who

signed a urinal and declared it to be an artwork. I

love the questioning behind this! Why should an

artwork be on canvas with a brush and paint? Who

determines what form a chair should be?”

The REcreate product range also has another con-

scious dimension – sustainability. “The fact that my

products are helping to eliminate a negative impact

on the environment is just another exciting aspect

to my business. To source my raw materials, I often

go to garage clearances, do junk shop hunting as

well as picking up things that others are throwing

away.”

The buyers of REcreate products come from diverse

backgrounds and generational demographics. “My

clients include anyone with a sense of humour and

an eye for design. Most people can identify with my

products as they – or their grandmother – ‘used to

have one of those’. Each of my products has a certain

sentimentality connected to it that most people

can relate to. I feel that it makes even the most

‘ungreen’ person want to recycle. I get a lot of

comments, ‘I had one of those, but it broke and I

threw it out years ago. I never thought about con-

verting it into a light!’” says Katie.

LIVING

77 >

78 >

LIVING

What makes the REcreate range even more special

is that every product and product part is custom

made. “All the products are one-off pieces and

therefore I am constantly looking for new materials

and processes to add new ingredients to the prod-

ucts. All manufacturing is outsourced to Cape Town’s

best trades and craftsmen. Although the raw mate-

rials that we work with are discarded or broken

junk items, I am in fact a perfectionist. This combi-

nation, as well as having great working relation-

ships with all my suppliers, result in high quality

finished products.”

Working with old and discarded artifacts as core

materials for constructing contemporary furniture

obviously poses some unique challenges. Katie ex-

plains: “Because much of our raw material is old junk,

we often battle with skew angles, rusty edges,

broken handles and wobbly parts that all need to

be repaired and dealt with before production be-

gins. One has to be sharp and involved in all the

aspects of production to foresee these problems.

The challenges from a manufacturing and process-

ing side are that each item is outsourced to at least

three or four different suppliers. It is extremely time-

consuming since every product passes through

the hands of several specialist craftsmen. However,

the technical input of all these trades people is

what makes such a unique and perfectly finished

product.” <

tb///

bdth

li32984

SYMMETROPHOBIA~ The fear of symmetrical things.

www.afi.co.za Tel: 0860 111 234 Your World is our World

There are lots of things to be scared of. Insurance needn’t be one of them.

At Alexander Forbes, we’ve learnt a thing or two over the years about putting motor and household insurance-related fears to rest. We provide the widest cover with the least exclusions, and we give you the option of an up-front discount on your premium when you sign up with us, which puts money back into your pocket immediately. We also give each of our clients their own personal consultant who deals exclusively with their policy and all matters pertaining to it. Simply, we make insuring as effortless and as comprehensive as possible. Because we believe that while some fears in life might need to be accepted, insurance-related fears are just irrational.

Terms and Conditions Apply.

tbsp /// beyond the line 33126

an Authorised Financial Services Provider FAIS Licence no. 30414

PRECIOSA GULF, FZCOJebel Ali Free Zone P. O. Box 18185 Dubai United Arab Emirates

P + 971 – 4 – 883 8473F + 971 – 4 – 883 7913e sales@gulf.preciosa.com

PRECIOSA CUstOmer CentreOpletalova 3197 466 67 Jablonec nad Nisou Czech Republic

P + 420 488 115 555F + 420 488 115 665e info@preciosa.com

www.preciosa.com

… w h E R E t h E s t y l i s h , i N N O vAt i v E D E s i g N

i s B O R N O U t O F t h E C R A F t s m A N s h i P

O F w h O l E g E N E R At i O N s O F g l A s s m A k E R s

Glass wonders from Preciosa

Lighting fixture with fibre

optics, The Yas Hotel, Abu

Dhabi, UAE.

LIVING

81 >

Lighting fixture of contemporary

design made of mouth-blown glass

components, The Yas Hotel, Yas

Island, Abu Dhabi, UAE.

82 >

The Czech Republic, a small nation located in the very heart of

Europe, has always been particularly famous for a unique hand-

craft – handworked glass. The origins of this craft, which ranks

among the oldest in human history, date back to 3000 B.C.

Here in Bohemia, glassmaking has been a major industry since

the 13th Century, and in 1724 the first chandelier workshop

was established in the region of Kamenický Šenov. Kamenický

Šenov has acquired its world-wide fame as a glass producer,

thanks to the delicacy of its forms and the purity of its hand

cut crystal. Magnificent chandeliers have become an insepa-

rable fixture of royal palaces, noble manor houses and other

splendid buildings.

The tradition of this renowned craft of glassmaking continues in

the production of PRECIOSA – LUSTRY, a.s. (joint-stock company),

which is a fixed star in the field of glass light fixtures. The com-

pany, based in northern Bohemia, in the region of Kamenický

Šenov, has been operating in the market for decades and, there-

fore, it can boast of a great deal of experience, acquired thanks

to the long-term history of its activity. Today, it is spread across

the world with offices in Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore, Moscow,

Madrid and New York.

Nowadays, PRECIOSA’s core activity lies in the design and

production of decorative lightings on a wide scale, consisting

largely of decorative lighting fixtures of various styles and sizes,

wall lamps, table and floor lamps, delivered as complete lighting

projects or as a catalogue assortment. Besides lighting fixtures,

83 >

LIVING

lighting sculptures and decorative artistic objects

form another part of their production.

The main activity of PRECIOSA is the creation of

the so-called lighting projects. These are individu-

al solutions, composed on the basis of specific re-

quirements of the client. It comprises a compre-

hensive service, ranging from design, production

and installation to the subsequent maintenance

and repair. Extensive projects usually represent

luxurious interior decorations for various spaces

of a prestigious nature, such as luxurious hotels,

palaces, religious and governmental buildings, res-

taurants and theatres.

These unique concepts originate in PRECIOSA’s

own studio on the basis of a close collaboration

with top architects and designers from all over the

world. In the design phase, traditional methods of

hand sketching are used side by side with up-to-

date software, which presents a faithful simulation

of the light fixture in its future environment. The

designers draw their inspiration for the shaping of

glass objects from various sources: nature pro-

vides a permanent and almost endless source of

inspiration; folklore and legend provides another.

New views can also be applied to well known clas-

sical works of art.

As mentioned above, PRECIOSA’s product portfo-

lio is quite extensive. The first product group con-

sists of luxurious classical lighting fixtures, char-

acterised by the classical shapes of their arms

and trimmings, often decorated with rich etching.

84 >

Lighting fixture made of

glass components

inspired by nature,

One&Only Cape Town,

South Africa.

LIVING

85 >

86 >

The other self-contained group consists of fashion-

able lighting objects made up of hand-blown glass

components. Over the last few years, the so-called

free sets, created by hanging differently shaped

objects in clusters in an open space, have been

popular. They range from minimalistic pure shapes

to complex organic motifs. Glass sintering and fusing

technology adds a further dimension, where a glass

powder of various colours is fused into one piece,

which can then be bent and shaped in various ways.

These objects are often floodlit by modern light

sources such as LEDs or optical fibres. The use of

fibres, especially, can lead to the creation of mag-

nificent pieces. Their light sources can be pr0gram-

med to be able to change their intensity or colour.

Aside from an impressive decorative effect, the place-

ment of the light source gives them a major advan-

tage in simple maintenance. <

Classical lighting fixtures produced

for a private residence.

LIVING

31341 SPI art ad portrait version p.indd 1 5/25/10 12:48:00 PM

88 >

Retile? Why not

paint?

By Russel Thomson

Retiling is arguably one of the most gruelling parts of

any renovation; the effort alone to remove the tiles is

enough to make most people run for the hills. Reno-

vators have their own horror stories of continuous

hammering and the resultant shards and dust in

their to-be-renovated bathrooms and kitchens.

Furthermore, retiling is undoubtedly expensive and

time consuming; apart from the labour costs. Replac-

ing it can send any budget spiralling. So, what to do

if you simply don’t have the time, budget or the incli-

nation to retile your bathroom or kitchen?

Paint it. Yes, paint will do the trick and give you a

quick makeover without breaking your back, or the

bank. Today’s paint technology and techniques are

sophisticated and comprise most surfaces, including

tiles. The most effort is really the surface preparation

and priming which will in turn ensure that your new-

ly painted tiles do stand the test of time.

The right paint for the right job

Firstly, and quite obviously, choose your paint colour

and ensure that it is steam resistant and therefore

suitable for areas such as kitchens and bathrooms.

The label will clearly indicate what the indoor paint

can be used for, be it water or oil-based. The key is to

read the label properly to ensure it can handle condi-

tions that are less ventilated and more humid.

Clean equals success

Secondly, and importantly, is preparing the surface.

Ensure the surrounding area is protected from any

dust or paint.

89 >

LIVING

Next, take a suitable detergent and wash down the

tiles to remove all dust and grease. For the grouted

areas use a nailbrush, or similar, to get right into the

joins. If there are any cracked or chipped tiles these

will have to be repaired or replaced in order to

achieve the best possible result and a uniform finish.

Once you are sure the tiles are clean, wash it down

again with clean water and allow it to dry.

Most importantly

The next step is the most important as it forms an

integral part of achieving a high-quality final product.

Priming is critical as it seals, binds and ensures good

inter-coat adhesion; so choose your primer accord-

ingly. Again, the packaging is straightforward; you

can choose primer that has been designed for tiles or

universal applications.

Don’t cut corners; an inferior and low-priced product

or primer that you used as part of an exterior paint

job a year ago will put some serious cracks in your

tile painting efforts. As with any foundation, your

priming efforts must be solid.

Ultimately, primer extends the lifetime of the paint –

it can withstand elements such as rising damp as it

offers better alkaline properties.

Applying the primer is relatively straightforward;

once the area is clean and dry use a synthetic bristle

brush and coat the tiled area evenly - smooth vertical

paint strokes are the key to achieving an even coat.

Once you have coated the entire area you will need

to leave the primer to dry, normally for several hours

as indicated by the label instructions. Again, adhere

to the drying time as it will contribute to the success

of the final product.

After the primer is dry, rub down the entire surface

with fine sandpaper and remove the dust with a lint-

free cloth. Now apply the second coat of primer in

the same way, and again, rub down with some fine

sandpaper and clean off with a lint-free cloth.

The end is near

The next and final step is the most fun as all the prep-

aration will start showing some results and give you

a very real idea of what the finished product will look

like.

Take your natural bristle brush, or a synthetic brush

if using a water-based paint, and apply the paint in

much the same way as you did the primer, although

it may give a better finish if you paint the grout first.

Once you have covered the entire area, leave the

paint to dry according to the manufacturer’s instruc-

tions. After the paint has dried, continue with the

second coat using the same technique as before and

leave to dry thoroughly.

The above steps are undoubtedly time consuming

but not half as painful as retiling, plus it is substan-

tially cheaper and will allow you to change your bath-

room or kitchen as often as you want without the

resultant dust, shards and backaches.

Russel Thomson is brand marketing manager at Prominent Paints South Africa, a fully integrated member of PPG <

90 >

The Grand Café & Beach

opens in Table Bay

By Suné Stassen

From within a once-abandoned warehouse at Granger Bay

adjacent to Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront, the Grand Café &

Beach has been created on the lip of fashioned white sand

in Table Bay. Following on from the runaway success of the

Grand Café and Rooms in Plettenberg Bay and the Grand

Café in Camps Bay, the Grand Café & Beach is an eclectic

fusion of international and local cultures, café ambiance

and fun beach elegance.

LIVING

91 >

Although it had been a neglected feature of the

Waterfront area for many years, most of the façade

of the old warehouse has been retained while a

sundeck and sea sand beach have been extended

to the water’s edge, ensuring that the ground-

breaking new Grand Café & Beach promises to be

the place to lay down your sun hat this summer.

“The design inspiration was Cape Town meets St

Tropez – a free–spirited, eclectic, beach café cul-

ture,” says Sue Main, CEO of Grand, who designed

the interiors with Morne Christian Smith from M.

Christian Smith Design.

“Along with beach café culture, the natural ele-

ments of the location, landscape and existing

structures, proximity to the ocean, magnificent

new Cape Town Stadium and Table Mountain cre-

ate the perfect setting” adds Smith.

“Natural textures with contemporary and timeless

antique furnishings complete the trendsetting

design of the new Grand concept with singular

elements including oversized chandeliers, antique

Indian rugs, Parisian café chairs and open win-

dows to the sea as well as large screens for multi-

faceted use.”

© http://greenpointstadium-and-capetown.blogspot.com

92 >

“Sue bought two chandeliers on one of her travels

to France. Both used to hang in her house, but the

one found a home in Grand Camps Bay and the

other had to join Grand Cafe & Beach”.

“I also went looking for a gift for Sue for her birth-

day and stumbled upon some amazing pieces at

The Railway House in Kalk Bay. I knew we had to

go back. Sue and I went back later in the week and

found the most incredible mixture of old pieces,

from tables and chairs to an old 60/70s surfboard,

old Dunhill cigarette display case, old Germanic

beach chair, a church prayer chair and a mirror. We

also found a travel light at The Railway House,

loved it but did not think it was working. Not giving

it another thought, we bought it, had it connected

and then had the great surprise that it lit up in pink

neon,” says Smith.

Entering beneath a wooden-covered ‘floppy hat’

along a wooden deck flanked by tall palms, guests

arrive to a space of discreet escapism. Take in the

15m-long pure white bar with cherub detail and

subtle lighting which adds to the ambience of the

main dining area, backed by an exhibition kitchen

which has a pizza oven as its centre feature.

Furthermore, the existing timber beams were left

exposed to create a natural setting for the new

Grand lifestyle gallery and private VIP dining room.

Smith continues: “In the middle of this huge space

you will find a dinner table designed by Gregor

Jenkin, called the Blue Wale. Jenkin is truly a great

example of home-grown talent. The table is 6200

x 2400mm in size and weighs about 1 1/2 tons.

Around 14 people are needed to move the table. It

is made from steel and has only five legs, and in-

credible feat given the size”.

The Grand’s signature theme of grey and pink were

introduced by using textured eco-friendly paint,

while natural textures with contemporary and an-

tique furnishings complete the trendsetting design

of the new Grand concept. Dark stained interior fur-

niture combined with fresh white furnishings and

the Grand signature velvets create an eclectic mix.

LIVING

93 >

Outdoors, the Grand’s deck spills out onto the

main beach where sun-seekers can laze on Indian

day beds, ordering from the pink outside beach

bar. Additional feature include two round sea wa-

ter pools along with outdoor fresh water showers.

“I had to consider the number of people the deck

had to carry and had to ensure that the substruc-

ture would be able to withstand the load. Sue also

wanted the entrance deck to be able to accommo-

date a vehicle driving in for special launches, so I

had to make this substructure even stronger. Due

to the close proximity to the ocean and the long

length of the deck, the timber had to be properly

kiln dried to prevent warping,” says Smith.

During construction, all efforts were made to en-

sure a green approach. Notable aspects include

the selection of sustainable timber for the outside

deck, use of textured eco-friendly paint, enhance-

ment of the original building’s look and feel and

even using harvested beach sand from surround-

ing areas cleared by the Cape Town City Council to

create the new beach.

“Scattered outside on the beach sand you will find

ceramic balls that are a by-product of fuel produc-

tion. It is a 100% eco-friendly product used to re-

move metal particles from fuel. The ceramic balls

attract the little particles, which then cling to the

ceramic balls resulting in much cleaner fuel prod-

uct,” says Smith.

The Grand Café & Beach also offers a chic, bistro-

styled menu for both lunch and dinner, serving up

dishes of robust flavours and sensory tastes, with

old and new classics combined in a new-world fu-

sion of beach café cuisine.

“The Grand approach is to blend worldly charm

with top cuisine, service and style in astonishing

destinations, all of which reflect uniqueness and

imagination. The Grand Café & Beach is an excit-

ing new ‘sun-drenched beach boy’,” says proud

owner, Sue Main. <

94 >

LIVING

95 >

A lifestyle district at the forefront of urban design By Suné Stassen

96 >

On Friday, 6 November Cape Quarter donned its

glad rags when the official launch sent everyone

into party mode. Enjoying a welcome drink on

the Piazza, celebrities and VIPs mingled to the

hot sounds of Coda and Shamanzi dancers led

the guests across to the Square where MC, Jo-

Ann Strauss welcomed everyone. The guests

were treated to a high-octane evening with a

seductive tango setting the mood, followed by an

awe-inspiring aerial act symbolising the opening

of this magnificent lifestyle centre.

Fashion took an interesting and unusual turn as the Eco

Fashion Show presented garments made from recyclable

materials. As guests enjoyed the spectacle and tasted the

delicious food offerings from the restaurants the Jonny

Cooper Big Band made the evening swing to the sounds

of old favourites. An elegant and sophisticated event, this

was a memorable night of pure celebration.

The extension of Cape Quarter in De Waterkant came to life

on 1 October with the opening of the new Square. This

niche boutique lifestyle destination with its superior tenant

mix is set to attract shoppers, diners and investors to Green

Point’s latest and most exciting trading hub.

Since 2002 the original Cape Quarter has been hugely suc-

cessful. There was, however, a demand for retail outlets such

as a supermarket, more shops, especially focussing on fash-

ion, as well as a gym and offices, which led to the creation of

the extension.

Over 10 000m2 of retail space (more than 100 retail stores

and restaurants), and 8 700m2 of office space bring a new

energy to this lively district. Don’t expect to see the usual

LIVING

97 >

98 >

LIVING

99 >

tenant mix found in shopping centres. The Cape Quarter is

a lifestyle centre that has at its heart unique entrepreneurial

businesses.

A creative epicentre is how developers, Bob Knight, Paul

Moxley and Ross Stegmann describe the building. “We

wanted to give residents and visitors a lifestyle experience

like no other, whilst retaining the architecture and village

atmosphere of the area. Our tenants are all individual, inde-

pendent retailers and restaurateurs, each with a unique

character that fits the new building,” says Knight. “Only one

store is part of a chain and that is the Spar Gourmet Food

Store, but it is one of a kind!”

Leading the trend in urban renewal in this once run down

area, Cape Quarter Property Company has taken the lead

in using the old industrial buildings, warehouses and ser-

vice yards that covered the block of Somerset Road, Dixon,

Jarvis and Napier Streets to create the new Cape Quarter.

Add to this a keen sense of the environment; design and

recycling plus generous use of space; the creators of Cape

Quarter have brought together a unique shopping experi-

ence at the forefront of urban design. The design and ambi-

ence are in keeping with the surrounding streets – no mean

feat since each street has its very own design qualities.

Looking up at the unique building, the traditional Cape archi-

tecture is clearly reflected in the external façades. From Art

Deco lintels to sash windows to arches and raw brickwork,

the building is far from the slab of concrete that usually sig-

nifies shopping malls.

Enhancing the area was the core of all design decisions

made by the team of Propfin Design who ensured that space,

light and harmony take precedence.

The façade on Somerset Road has been retained, giving

the main entrance a charm that is inviting in its simplicity.

100 >

Once inside, the atrium reaches high into the sky and the

roof garden on the top level is in full view as you look up.

Integral in this development has been the recycling of mate-

rials from the old buildings that originally occupied the site

and the preservation of some of the authentic architectural

elements is evident, giving the development a charming

character and ambience.

The Cape Quarter Food Spar is the anchor tenant with 1 600m2

devoted to gourmet foods. Catering to an upmarket clientele

seeking the unusual alongside their basic food commodities

– food shopping has never been this good. A quick park ’n

shop area has been created on the corner of Somerset and

Napier allowing for late evening shoppers to purchase goods

quickly and efficiently. With the Deloitte’s staff, the retail ten-

ants have a readymade market to cater to and the office

workers will have a playground of shops, eateries and

healthy pastimes to enjoy.

From Jarvis Street you walk straight on to The Square. This is

a magical use of space which forms the soul of the building.

Open to the sky, the area is reminiscent of a European cen-

tral square in an old city and a water feature, stage area,

trees and wrought iron décor complete the scene. Four res-

taurants spill onto The Square and live entertainment allow

shoppers to spend the day enjoying the atmosphere.

The use of natural light has also been key to the develop-

ment and many of the retailers have this advantage on their

premises. The office space above The Square offers moun-

tain and harbour views that are hard to match and on the

northwestern side trees screen the building from the sun.

Many of the design features save the overuse of air-condi-

tioning.

Eight escalators and lifts facilitate easy movement around

the centre. Multiple entrances and exits off three roads give

easy access to different levels and there is ample parking,

LIVING

101 >

relieving some of the congestion in the area. The Jarvis Street

precinct becomes the link between the original Cape Quarter

and the new section, creating greater pedestrian access than

ever before as the building has been set back from the road

whilst street parking is still available.

Sharing some insight into the design considerations, the de-

velopers explain that sustainability was high on the cards.

“The water for CQ living and the common bathrooms are

solar heated. The concrete roof is vegetated and can be re-

garded as a ‘green roof’. Many materials have been recycled

from the demolition of the old buildings. Sun shading and

roof overhangs have been designed to reduce heat loads

and subsequent air-conditioning power requirements.”

“It was also our vision that a common thread must run sub-

tly through the development. The possible use of pergolas,

stonework, cobbles, arches, ironmongery, shop fronts, plant-

ers and lighting and more could be used to link the original

Cape Quarter and the new development.”

“The design had to be cost-effective, frugal where possible

and extravagant in selected areas. Natural and practical fin-

ishes were used in common areas while the retail shop-

fronts are to be maximised in size and exposure. The offices

have more than the normal appeal by using Juliet balconies,

glass, foyers, natural light and more.”

The developers conclude: “Connectivity and individual yet

unified look and feel between the original Cape Quarter and

the new extension and development was key for us. We

want both to be perceived as the enhancement of the other

rather than a distraction. This concept is already in develop-

ment through the use of pedestrian crossings and under-

ground basement connection and will be perfected with the

proposed pedestrian bridge that will hopefully be built in the

near future.” <

102 >

Although there is no pressing need for gated secu-

rity estates in Potchefstroom, the directors of Dream

Veld Authentic Lifestyle Developments realised that

this residential trend has many advantages. This

prompted them to come up with two unique, but very

different estates. The Herondale Wildlife Eco Estate is

situated 9km outside Potchefstroom on a piece of African

bushveld that would make one believe one is truly out

at the wild frontier. Waterberry Haven, on the other hand,

is pretty much a part of Potchefstroom’s urban fabric.

HERONDALETravelling along the vastly improved N12 roadway

from Johannesburg to Potchefstroom, one can’t miss

seeing the imposing gatehouse of the Herondale

Wildlife Eco Estate proudly welcoming visitors and

residents to its bushveld experience. Even when all the

building work is complete, this 2400 ha game farm will

remain mostly ‘wild’ as only 2% of the entire land

area will be covered with buildings.

A mere 100km away from the frenetic pace of

Johannesburg’s busy suburbs, two Dream Veld

Authentic Lifestyle Developments projects, on

the outskirts of Potchefstroom, offer an alterna-

tive lifestyle to those looking for something

completely different. The Herondale Wildlife

Eco Estate on a magnificent 2400ha malaria-

free game farm offers residents an exclusive

bushveld experience, while Waterberry Haven

offers a retirement option which is more a re-

sort for active seniors than a retirement village.By Bev Hermanson

LIVING

103 >

www.smartstone.co.za

On completion, the estate will have four villages

placed remotely from each other in the depths of

the African bush. Each village has about 70 stands

of between 2000 sq m and 3 500m2, of which the

houses may only occupy 500m2 on their ground

floors with a further 300m2 allowed for an upper

level. No perimeter fencing is allowed, although provi-

sion has been made for each home to have up to

600 sq m as a courtyard. This is to allow the game

to roam freely throughout the estate.

The game on the estate is non-predatory and is

mainly made up of herds of zebra, impala, spring-

bok, waterbuck, reedbuck, black wildebeest, bles-

buck, gemsbok, kudu, eland and giraffes, as well as

a number of ostriches and other birdlife.

“To qualify as an eco estate, the built-up area has to

be less than 5%,” explains Zieg van Huyssteen,

sales consultant at Dream Veld Authentic Lifestyle

Developments. “At Herondale, we are only building

up to 2% of the land, so there’s lots of room for the

game and birdlife.”

ARCHITECTURAL STYLE

The first two of the four villages have been launched,

with all the electricity, water and sewerage services

in place and dirt roads provided during the building

phase. After all the building has been completed,

the roads will be tarred so that luxury vehicles can

be driven around the estate, in addition to 4x4s.

The architectural style prescribed for the develop-

ment is contemporary African with natural materials

used as much as possible. Landscaping should be

done with indigenous plants typical to the region

and the colour palette for paints has to blend with

the earthy colours of the surroundings.

Sunset Creek, with 75 stands, is already almost

50% sold out, while the second village, Kiepersol,

with 71 stands, is 35% sold out. With stand prices

just over R500 000 each and monthly levies of R400

per month, a slice of this African paradise is certainly

within reach of most families looking for a secure,

yet authentic lifestyle.

LEFT: Artists impression of the Herondale Gatehouse.

TOP RIGHT: Map of Sunset Creek showing the layout of the stands.

BOTTOM RIGHT: Map of Kiepersol showing the layout of the stands.

LIVING

105 >

Being at home in the African bush, residents will

be able to enjoy the climate and natural flora and

fauna of the area, undisturbed and in safety. Rec-

reational activities available to residents include

game drives, hiking, walking and jogging, mountain

biking and horse riding. In addition, an organic spa

centre will be built close to the gatehouse. This will

house a gym, heated swimming pool and squash

courts, while outside, there will be tennis courts and

a driving range.

WATERBERRY

For older residents looking to downscale, the con-

veniently located Waterberry Haven is the answer.

Seeking to revolutionise the concept of a retirement

village, the directors at Dream Veld Authentic Life-

style Developments conceptualised a village where

residents need not lead sedentary lifestyles, although

full facilities have been included so that, should

there be a need for frail care, this will also be avail-

able as part of the unique Waterberry life care pro-

gramme.

The village is split into full title independent living

units and assisted living units, with a care centre

that has facilities for frail care and sub acute con-

ditions. When the village is complete, a clubhouse,

with a restaurant, lounge, pub, overnight accom-

modation for visitors, wellness centre, social centre

and conference centre will be available.

A view of the surrounding landscape.

106 >

LIVING

107 >

www.setsa.co.za

He has his mothers eyes and

your sense of humour

Will he inherit your carbon

footprint as well?

What legacy do you want to leave?

Not only will Eskom subsidise your purchase of a solar geyser, and thereby assist you in

reducing your electricity bill by about 40% - installing a solar geyser reduces carbon

emissions by 3.7 tons per annum, the equivalent of taking a small car off the road

completely.

Isn’t it time you did something for your children’s planet?

An Accredited Supplier on the Eskom Solar Programme. Also Supporting

Louis Robbertse

Cell: 083 308 9988

Tel: 012 997 5676

E-mail: louisr@setsa.co.za

Chantelle Robbertse

Cell: 082 493 2249

E-mail:

northwest@setsa.co.za

108 >

Situated on the banks of the Mooi River, with 200km

of river frontage on the western side and the wall

of the Potchefstroom Dam on its northern perimeter,

Waterberry Haven is one of the only estates in the

North West Province with water on two sides. With

5 ha of parkland and landscaped gardens for relax-

ing, the estate offers residents the opportunity to

enjoy the outdoors without having to stress over

the maintenance of the common areas. The upkeep

of the estate is handled by the Waterberry Manage-

ment Trust, along with the 24 hour security and

emergency service.

The communal buildings have been planned to cater

for the movement impaired and are wheel chair-

friendly, with widened doorways and passages,

ramps, user-friendly taps and specially designed

showers. Furthermore, emergency and security buttons

have been strategically placed in case of crises.

To make life easy at Waterberry Haven, once the

estate is complete, transport will be laid on for

those needing to go shopping, laundry and clean-

ing services will be available and meals will be

provided by arrangement.

WHY POTCHEFSTROOM?

Both Herondale and Waterberry are close enough

to Potchefstroom’s central business district to

make either one of the developments a worthwhile

choice, depending on age and lifestyle require-

ments. Present-day Potchefstroom is best known

as a ‘university town’ with a large student popula-

tion. However, the city is actually steeped in his-

tory and has much to offer.

Founded in the late 1830s by the Voortrekker leader,

Andries Hendrik Potgieter, Potchefstroom (or stream

LIVING

109 >

of the chief Potgieter) was, at first, the capital of the

Transvaal Province and home to the first president

of the Zuid Afrikaansche Republiek (ZAR), Marthinus

Pretorius. During the Anglo Boer War, the Battles of

Frederickstad and Tygerfontein were fought close

by and many of the Potchefstroom residents were

involved in defending the territory. Gold was dis-

covered in the region in 1853. This caused great

changes as hordes of fortune seekers arrived in

the Transvaal to grab their share of the action.

In 1910, the Avenue of Oaks was planted with a

total of 710 oak trees. Stretching 6,84km from the

Agricultural College in Botha Street, via Tom Street

to the Lakeside Resort, it is considered the longest

avenue of oaks in the southern hemisphere and is

now a national monument. Other national monu-

ments include the Old Gunpowder House, the Old

Police Station building, the Kruger Kraal Opstal

and the old Landrost, Post and Telegraph Offices.

For the culture lovers, there are a number of museums

to be found in Potchefstroom. The Potchefstroom

Main Museum in Sol Plaatjie Avenue comprises three

art halls and a cultural history hall. Totius House

Museum was the home of the well-known bible trans-

lator, JD du Toit, who was better known as Totius. The

President Pretorius Museum is the restored Cape-

styled residence of the late Marthinus Wessel Pre-

torius, the first president of the ZAR and the Goetz/

Fleischack Museum is the Karoo-styled residence

of the late Andreas Marthinus Goetz, magistrate of

Potchefstroom between 1870 and 1881.

For avid shoppers, there are a few shopping cen-

tres, the most notable of which is the sprawling

Mooi River Mall that was built in 2008. Straddling

the Mooi River, this modern shopping mall offers

a wide selection of stores, banking facilities, res-

taurants, and cinemas – enough to keep one busy

for hours.

to Herondale Wildlife Echo Estate

We Specialise in:Whole House FiltrationRO-PurifiersDispensersSoftners

Pieter Bredenkamp 082 879 7507Len Haarhoff 083 475 8622

15 Goetz St., Potchefstroom

Artists impressions by architect Shawn Rowley Architects – recommended style for Herondale houses.

110 >

LIVING

to Herondale Wildlife Echo Estate

We Specialise in:Whole House FiltrationRO-PurifiersDispensersSoftners

Pieter Bredenkamp 082 879 7507Len Haarhoff 083 475 8622

15 Goetz St., Potchefstroom

111 >

At night, the student district comes alive, with lots

of fun to be had in the various eateries frequented

by the younger set.

If sport is the priority, there are a number of sports

grounds in Potchefstroom. At the Fanie du Toit Sports

Grounds, one can play soccer, cricket, netball and

hockey. The Kenneth McArthur Oval is well known

as a venue for rugby and soccer matches, while

cricket is best enjoyed at the North West Interna-

tional Stadium – Seagars Park. The North West

University’s Potchefstroom Campus also boasts a

variety of world class sports facilities, including

the North West University High Performance Insti-

tute. The Potchesfstroom Country Club has an 18-

hole golf course and the Boskop Dam is a favourite

angling spot.

For nature lovers, the NWU Botanical Garden, which

is maintained by the university’s School of Environ-

mental Sciences & Development, is open to the pub-

lic. Another attraction is the OPM-Prozesky Bird

Sanctuary located on the wetland adjoining the

golf course, which is excellent for bird spotting.

Further afield, the Vredefort Dome, now proclaimed

a World Heritage Site, is the spot where, more than

2000 million years ago, a giant meteorite crashed

into the Earth. Here, one can enjoy hiking and many

outdoor adventure activities, including white water

rafting, kayaking and canoeing on the Vaal River.

Of course, the many attraction of Johannesburg are

not too far away and the OR Tambo International

Airport is less than a 2 hour drive, for those who

still wish to enjoy their holidays overseas. <

Game on the plain at Herondale Wildlife Eco Estate.

LIVING

112 >

CONCRETE SLABS U P P L I E S“Service is not our only strength”

CONCRETE SLABS“Ser

CONCRETE SLABS“Ser

Tel 011 706 4560/2449Fax 011 463 5589slabs@iafrica.com

www.concreteslabs.co.za

We understand the importance of having a reputable company to design, supply and install all the necessary components for

foundations, 1st floor and roof slabs.

We therefore ensure that every contract is supplied with the very best engineering

design, product and back up service.

www.ergosystem.co.za

116 >

From a sliding roof to an origami

house to a backyard in the sky, the

World Architecture Festival (WAF)

Award attracts the mind-boggling,

the complex and the sophisticated.

No other event offers architects

from around the world with this

type of inspiration and the 2009

awards seemed to have an extra

soft spot for the housing category.

The WAF Awards is the world’s

biggest architectural award pro-

gramme and is designed to cel-

ebrate and showcase the best of

the best work by the international

architectural community. WAF re-

wards excellence across a wide

range of building types and budgets.

Its judges are instructed to con-

sider the principal qualities of well-

designed buildings wherever they

find them, including Vitruvius’s

classical definition of “commodity,

firmness and delight”, as well as

contemporary considerations such

as clarity of organisation, expres-

sion and representation, appro-

priateness of architectural ambi-

tion, integrity and honesty, archi-

tectural language, scale, conformity

and contrast, orientation, flexibil-

ity, sustainability and aesthetics.

What sets this scheme apart from

the rest is its unique entry and ad-

judication process. Entries are first

screened by an expert jury before a

shortlist is invited to present their

projects live to the public, as well

as to a star-studded international

jury of architecture experts. The

process entails a fully interactive

live format that has produced

some spectacular results. The

2009 event, held in Barcelona, at-

tracted 1 507 architects from 71

countries who came to view and

learn from the best projects and

to help shape the future of the

industry through exchange and

collaboration.

With the 2010 entry deadline

looming (1 July), DESIGN>LIVING

looks at some of 2009 winners

and commendations in the Hous-

ing and Residence categories as

well as the overall winner of the

World Building of the Year award.

LIVING

117 >

WORLD BUILDING OF THE YEAR

MAPUNGUBWE INTERPRETATION CENTERCategory: Culture

Location: South Africa

Architect: Peter Rich Architects,

Johannesburg, South Africa

Award: WAF 2009 World Building

of the Year

The Mapungubwe Interpretation

Centre, which is situated at the

confluence of the Limpopo and

Shashe Rivers, features rounded

roofs and is surfaced in local rub-

ble in order to fully complement

the surrounding landscape.

From the start Peter Rich Architects

sought to add value to the region

not only in delivering the final so-

lution but also in the process of

its design and construction: The

project’s agenda extends beyond

the presentation of ancient and

more recent history of the area to

awaken an understanding of the

vulnerability of the local ecology.

These objectives are manifested

in the construction process of the

Centre in which unemployed local

people were trained in the manu-

facture of stabilised earth tiles

and in building the timbrel vaults.

This knowledge has been accept-

ed into the culture of the region,

with the masons continuing the

skills they have learned by using

the remaining tiles for their own

houses in nearby villages. Thus,

the Centre not only tells a story,

but has become part of a story

that is still unfolding, of culture

developing in symbiosis with its

natural legacy.

The Mapungubwe Interpretation

Centre was chosen as the 2009

World Building of the Year by

some of the world’s most distin-

guished architects and renowned

industry experts, beating off

competition from a shortlist of 17

entries. The jury admired the way

in which: “the architecture re-

sponded to vernacular African

styles. The judges described the

project as ‘an indisputably con-

temporary building of immense

resonance and richness. It is also

underpinned by a strong social

programme, using the skills and

labour of local people and involv-

ing them in the design and con-

struction processes.”

Peter Rich Architects describes

the project as a “poverty relief

project using ecological methods

and materials” and that “the com-

plex landscape was both the in-

spiration for the design and the

source of most of the materials

for its construction. This resulted

in a composition of structures

that are authentically rooted in

their location.”

118 >

IMAGES

© Iwan Baan

LIVING

119 >

120 >

IMAGES

© McBride Charles Ryan

LIVING

121 >

HOUSING CATEGORY

Housing as a category has a lot of

criteria to take into consideration

by the WAF judges. It could be ra-

tionality of the plan, the comfort

of living, new typology, or pre-

senting an additional public

space to a city. For the 2009 judg-

ing panel, the main criteria was

the strong message that the

building sends to other architects

and other specialists in residen-

tial developments.

KLEIN BOTTLE HOUSECategory: House

Location: Rye, Australia

Architect: McBride Charles Ryan,

Melbourne, Australia

Award: WAF 2009 World’s Best

Home Award

With rapid developments in com-

puter software it’s becoming pos-

sible for architects to achieve in-

creasingly complex and dynamic

shapes in their structures. The

Klein Bottle House, a holiday home

shaped like an origami Klein Bot-

tle, situated in Australia’s Morning-

ton Peninsula, is a testament to

this and truly thinks ‘outside the

box’.

The Klein Bottle House celebrates

the country’s traditional beach

houses whilst remaining a practi-

cal and useful 21st century home.

The judges praised the design of

Klein Bottle House as: “evoking

on every day of the year, the en-

riching playfulness of being on

holiday. The house was also cel-

ebrated as fitting comfortably

within the dramatic Australian

landscape.”

The Klein Bottle House is built in

heavily treed sand dunes directly

behind 16th Beach at Rye, only

two hours drive from Melbourne.

The house revolves around a cen-

tral courtyard with a staircase

connecting all the spaces and

levels. McBride Charles Ryan de-

scribes their design process: “We

were keen to remain topologi-

cally pure, to distort the shape as

need dictates but not to appear

to sever this form. We were at-

tracted to the idea of the origami

version of the Klein bottle be-

cause of its beauty and the per-

versity of an origami Klein Bottle.

To accommodate ‘rooms’ within

the bottle we thought of them

like objects inserted within the

bottle. The Klein bottle was also

the perfect fit to the constraints

of the site. Once adopted, the

shape of this building had some-

thing of a life of its own, the genie

was out and she was difficult to

temper. The development was in-

tense, the serious pursuit of joy-

ful nonsense. The result we think

is a unique shape, an internal

space with series of new relation-

ships between the traditional

components of the home.”

122 >

CHEN HOUSECategory: House

Location: Sanjhih, Taiwan

Architect: C-Laboratory,

Turku, Finland

Award: Category Commendation

Situated on an old Japanese cherry-

farm in the Datun mountains of

northern Taiwan, the Chen house

is notable for its synthesis of tradi-

tional methods of construction

with contemporary living and

spaces. Built for a retired couple, it

is an adaptive entity and designed

entirely on the principles of bio-

climatic architecture, taking into

consideration the regions’ summer

heat, occasional flooding, strong

winds and seismic activity.

The Chen house is orientated to

the north and south and is built

on heavy concrete blocks raised

above the ground, allowing flood-

waters to pass freely without

causing damage to the structure.

Beams of mahogany are used on

almost every surface of the house,

both interior and exterior, in such a

way that air can easily pass through

the spaces creating a self-cooling

system. To accommodate for earth-

quakes and typhoons common in

the area, the house is flexible, each

space acting as a buffer to absorb

movement instead of working

against it.

The Chen house is beautifully sim-

plistic, not aiming to close out the

surrounding environment but rather

LIVING

123 >

IMAGES

© Nikita Wu

124 >

IMAGES

© Ross Russell

LIVING

125 >

becoming part of it. C-Laboratory

explains “A ruin is when ‘man-

made’ has become part of nature.

With this house we were looking

forward to designing a ruin.”

SLIDING HOUSECategory: House

Location: Suffolk,

United Kingdom

Architect: dRMM, London,

United Kingdom

Award: Category Commendation

Described as ‘the industrial and

the picturesque’, the Sliding

House is a combination of the cli-

ent’s vision for the unconvention-

al and the architect’s knack for

innovation. The outcome is a 28m

linear building comprised of three

structures, the main house, ga-

rage, guest annex and a dynamic

fourth component, a 20-ton mo-

bile roof.

Ross Russell, the owner of the

Sliding House, approached the

architects with the mantra “we

are prepared to be radical,” and

for the conventional area of Suf-

folk the result is very radical. All

the structures are aligned on a

level ridge that runs north to

south along the northeastern

boundary of the property. The

sliding roof sits on rails and is

powered by hidden electric mo-

tors on bogeys integrated into

the wall thickness. As the roof

slides over the three structures in

126 >

a mere 6 minutes, it transforms

the spaces by creating combina-

tions of enclosure, open-air living

and framing of views, according

to the position. dRMM explains

“It is about the ability to vary or

connect the overall building com-

position and character according

to season, weather, or a remote-

controlled desire to delight.”

THE METCategory: Housing (including

mixed use)

Location: Bangkok, Thailand

Architect: WOHA, Singapore

Award: WAF 2009 Housing

Category Winner

The Met, a Bangkok skyscraper

designed by WOHA, was the per-

fect fit for this category’s adjudi-

cation criteria. The housing de-

velopment is inspired by Thai tiles,

textiles and timber panelling. The

judges praised the development

as “an excellent attempt to open a

skyscraper to the city and to allow

its inhabitants to use the building

as much as possible in a rapidly

developing Bangkok.”

When designing The Met, WOHA

successfully took on the challenge

of exploring the opportunities for

high-rise living in the tropics.

Rather than adopting models de-

veloped in temperate countries,

with a strong separation of inte-

rior and exterior, this skyscraper

explores how aspects of low-rise

tropical housing can be applied

to create outdoor-indoor spaces

in the sky. The staggered block

arrangement gives all apart-

ments access to light and air on

all four sides and recalls the Thai

teak staggered panelling on tra-

ditional houses.

The Met also features open-air

communal terraces with bar-

beques, libraries, spas and other

facilities. “These sky terraces,

both private and public, link the

blocks every five storeys, creating

dramatic yet human-scaled exter-

nal spaces in the sky,” explains

WOHA. Strategically located be-

tween two main train stations on

Bangkok’s busy South Sathorn

road, The Met also practically deals

with the problem of urban sprawl

and traffic by making use of existing

infrastructure.

IMAGES

© Patrick Bingham-Hall

WOHA Group

127 >

LIVING

128 >

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE

WAF also considers projects un-

der development as well as future

projects as separate categories

in its awards programme.

MERO BEACH PROJECT DOMINICA

Category: Future Projects –

Residential

Location: Dominica

Architect: BURO II

WAF Entry 2009

Award: WAF 2009 Category Winner

From the onset of the Mero Beach

project, BURO II had one goal: To

design a solution in which a sus-

tainable relationship with the local

economy, culture, natural heritage

and environment is central.

The judges at the 2009 WAF were

especially impressed with the way

in which BURO II were able to per-

suade their client to reduce the

scale of this hotel project from

45 000m2, firstly to 25 000m2, and

finally to just 15 000m2. With this

scaling-down they also reduced

the amount of disturbance to the

sensitive natural habitat, almost

completely eliminating the need

to excavate into the coastline.

BURO II even considered what

would happen at the end of the

projects’ lifespan, showing how

the site could be returned to na-

ture with the seismic spine walls

being the only permanent built

element to remain.

BURO II further explains their phi-

losophy: “The goal of the project is

to create a dialog with the pres-

ence of the existing: the nature and

the village. The main characteris-

tics of the site are: the presence

of the beach, the thick foliage all

along the beach, the long and thin

plot, the road running along the

plot, the topography from flat to

steep, the river and ravine and the

proximity of Mero village.” Set to

be completed in 2010, each resi-

dential unit will offer flexibility

for use as multiple single rooms

or full-scale family residences. A

promenade will serve as the con-

necting element between the

hotel’s different areas such as the

marina, shops, reception, parking,

restaurant and beach club.

360º BUILDINGCategory: Future Projects –

Residential

Location: São Paulo, Brazil

Architect: Isay Weinfeld,

São Paulo, Brazil

Award: Category Commendation

The 360º Building is set to be

developed on an elevated area

between the districts of Alto de

Pinheiros and Alto da Lapa in São

Paulo. São Paulo, the largest city

in Brazil, is home to a little over 10

million people spread over an area

of 1525km2. Residential areas are

often crammed with housing that

is compact and closed onto them-

selves to sustain the rapidly grow-

ing population. Isay Weinfeld

designed the 360º Building mind-

ful of the urban reality in São Paulo

and with open air, space and views

in mind. The building will feature

62 elevated ‘homes with yards’

with a choice of seven types of

apartments, either 130, 170 or

250m2, combined in sets of two,

three or four units per floor. The

lower levels, semi-subterranean,

will be an adults’ playground

featuring a gym, lounge, party

room, sauna and a swimming

pool. <

RIGHT: Mero Beach Project,

Dominica. © BURO II

FAR RIGHT: 360º Building

© Isay Weinfeld

129 >

LIVING

N O . 1 6

VIE

W P

AST

ISSU

ES A

ND

OT

HER

TIT

LES

IN T

HE

DES

IGN

> ST

AB

LE A

T

WW

W.D

ESIG

NM

AG

AZI

NE.

CO.Z

A