Construction World April 2015

ENVIRONMENT

NOT YOUR STANDARD

Our society has become increasingly aware of the earth’s need for nurturing and many urban dwellers seeking a respite from the assaults of the city have turned to eco estates to fulfill both the need for space along with the need for a rapport with nature. Sadly, many eco estates have not lived up to expectations and only a few are truly deserving of the name in aesthetic and principle.

space and nature. The entire farm belongs to the residents: the farming areas, the gardens, the trails, the tree houses and the outdoor decks along the riverbank. This community ownership extends to the facil- ities of the organic farm, the Montessori School and popular restau- rant, along with the Curro School currently being developed. Plans for further facilities include a gym, stables and business centre. Sustainability and architecture Not only is Monaghan Farm a pristine haven of indigenous bush and beautiful agri-village land, but it is also one of 15 finalists in the 2014 AfriSam SAIA Award for Sustainable Architecture: a firm indicator that it is not merely giving lip service to a trendy organic lifestyle. The awards recognise buildings that are the result of an integrated approach to architecture, natural systems and technology. The nomi- nees have a positive influence on their communities and are envi- ronmentally friendly through strategies such as the reuse of existing structures, low-impact and regenerative site development, energy and water conservation and the use of sustainable or renewable construc- tion materials and practices. Respect for the environment pervades all aspects of life at Monaghan. Rainwater harvesting, energy efficiency, recycling and positive relationships with surrounding communities all contribute to a responsible and informed way of living. These prac- tices are part of Monaghan life along with the ten acres of organic gardens that grow cut flowers, vegetables, fruit and herbs to be deliv- ered locally to residents, reinforced by Monaghan’s BCS Certification. The large herd of Nguni cattle that wanders the hillside provides natural fertiliser and control of the long grasses. At Monaghan, each residence is spaciously set into the natural veld with pockets of indigenous bush hiding the residences from one another. Boundary walls are not permitted which adds to the free flowing layout of the land and houses are a mandated single storey so as not to impede views. The desired effect is of muted architecture that is one with the landscape with natural colours and materials being utilised. Solar, PV panels, geothermal, low voltage lighting and heat pumps are just a few of the energy saving initiatives that have been put in place in every home along with a rainwater harvesting system of a minimum of 20 000 litres per property.

The 1 260-acre Monaghan Farm is situated in Lanseria and offers an alternative to the norm in estate living and property development in Gauteng with its principles of sustainability. It embodies the freedom of farm living with all the trappings

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of a modern, connected and self-aware environment. Where it began

The ethos begins with the layout of the land and the architecture of the homes. Monaghan Farm has been designed with a density of one residential unit per five acres and the principle that the farm will only ever consist of 300 properties with an average size of 4 500 m 2 . When the property is completely developed, the footprint of all the buildings combined will occupy only three percent of the farm. One thousand acres – which amounts to 78% of the property – will be common open space. A vast contrast to the current norm of high density and high volume ‘packing’ that is seen in most urban and even most other eco developments. Monaghan is a working organic farm, built around principles of sustainability, which promises a better lifestyle – one cushioned by

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