THE DESIGN PHILOSOPHY

The development of Stilbaai Dunes has been one of a holistic approach, whereby the Architecture and Landscaping result in a development sympathetic to the natural coastal setting. Dwellings should be contextually sympathetic to the topography and natural hues of the environment.

The resulting architecture should be one in which, contemporary beach bungalow type buildings of modest scale, grow out of the site. It is expected that architectural concepts be developed with sympathy to the environment and that introduction foreign styles i.e. “Tuscan” or “Georgian” be discouraged. Buildings should be seen as a series of forms whereby each form’s sitting, height, scale, etc., may respond and adjust to the natural topography. Large scales cut and fill type developments are seen as very unsympathetic and will not be allowed.

The intention is to develop a unique cohesive architectural character as an appropriate response to a sensitive environment evocative of Stilbaai as a “Genius Loci”. This will be promoted by the use of natural stone, timber and other building materials that will be common throughout Stilbaai. Earthy and natural tones will allow buildings to merge with the landscape, and together with natural stone retaining walls, create a development that compliments the environment rather than contrasts it.

The beauty of these buildings is characterized by an architectural simplicity and order, and an elegance and humanising sense of scale and proportion. Furthermore, the individual buildings group well within a ‘village type’ urban setting to create a visually harmonious development. The scale, proportion and simplicity of these villages are characteristics that Stilbaai Dunes envisages. These buildings should portray an elegance and simplicity that is typical of an concept of living that the Estate will create in a tranquil setting for a modern society.

The dwellings should therefore be contextually sensitive, and it is important that the owners and their architects buy into the vision for the Estate, and work together to support the principals of the guidelines and create an environment that is visually harmonious. The design manual allows for a variety of external and internal architectural responses, and the overall character of the development will be evident through the use of harmonizing external elements such as wall colour, texture and finish, roof shapes and colour, and standardized form of boundary and site walling. Earthy coloured walls combined with elements of natural stone, and neutrally coloured aluminium windows and shutters, as well as mono -pitched neutrally coloured metal sheet roofing, all of which refer to a fragmented contemporary style which is sympathetic towards nature, will characterise the development.

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